Cisco

Large, stable company, not struggling to get funded or get product name recognition.

Everyone in the networking world knows the name Cisco. It's a great resume entry.

Not all groups are well-funded, and promotion opportunities are more limited from within.

There is a bit of an internal joke that says if you are looking for a promotion, leave the company and get it there, then come back at your new level.

Don't neglect your internal personnel in your pursuit of new external hires. It is very demoralizing to be struggling for a few years to get promoted or a substantial pay raise, only to see a new hire come in from a competitor with a higher grade or substantial pay raise when compared to your own.