11–15 of 15 posts
This is the first in a multi-part series. I'm staying the week in Palo Alto, talking to entrepreneurs, investors, etc. and trying to capture the 'Valley Advantage'
This is the first in a multi-part series. I'm staying the week in Palo Alto, talking to entrepreneurs, investors, etc. and trying to capture the 'Valley Advantage'
If you're still in town on Tuesday, we have Hackers and Founders scheduled in Mountain view: www.hackersandfounders.com . I'd be happy to buy you a beer.
This is the first in a multi-part series. I'm staying the week in Palo Alto, talking to entrepreneurs, investors, etc. and trying to capture the 'Valley Advantage'
Speaking as a former ATL resident and ramblin wreck, I think you have to stay in the valley at least a couple of months to really get the feel. I'm not really sure how much you can get in a week. In my opinion, it's way too short. I would say the same thing of Austin and Seattle too.
I worked for a very well-funded startup in DC a few years back that failed miserably. When the end was nigh, I overheard C-levels say things like "you know, I can't help but think that location played a role in this." Did we have money? Yes. Did we have talent? Yes. Could our location change the fact that our management made stupid decisions? No. But, when you're looking for excuses the location factor is always there. And, as tech entrepreneur on the east coast it's always in your mind as you debate your next big thing.
I'd be very interested to know if those of you who are in the Bay Area with successful startups feel like your same company (funding, employees, etc) would be as successful in a different location.
I often wonder if those of ya'll (sorry, couldn't resist) in the Bay Area understand that this anxiety exists. It does, and it drives many of us to drop our drawl and head westward. I worked for a very well-funded startup in DC a few years back that failed miserably. When the end was nigh, I overheard C-levels say things like "you know, I can't help but think that location played a role in this." Did we have money? Y…