The main reason to move to a startup hub is that you have much more chances to succeed if you burned all the briges after you.
Why to Move to a Startup Hub
21–30 of 96 posts
Re: Why to Move to a Startup Hub
#22Would there be value in encouraging startups to move to Boston to eventually create another, rival hub?
Re: Why to Move to a Startup Hub
#23Hm, is it just me or, is this the first of Paul's essay that contained little/no new content? I've definitely heard most of these points before... Nobody likes moving, so this is an issue that people are going to grumble about no matter how sound the advice is, or how often it is repeated.
"I've definitely heard most of these points before..."
Yes, but not everyone's homepage is http://news.ycombinator.com/threads?id=pg
Re: Why to Move to a Startup Hub
#24I know that you're using the term "west-coast VC" to mean valley VCs, but it's probably important to emphasize that the valley is unique, even on the west coast of the US.
From what I can tell, VCs in Seattle are approximately as conservative as those in Boston. In this part of the country, it almost seems like your "fundability" is tied to your reputation as an ex-Microsoft employee....
Re: Why to Move to a Startup Hub
#25So how is Portland as far as starting a startup. I wanted to move to the valley, but it is somehow to damn expensive and I honestly do not like noddles, I am already skinny enough, SO how is portland?
Re: Why to Move to a Startup Hub
#26Would there be value in encouraging startups to move to Boston to eventually create another, rival hub?
It's not the start ups, but the investing circles that make the hub. Start ups can move pretty freely, but angels and VC's appear to be more set in one location. If you can convince gutsy angels to move from San Fran to Boston, or get Boston angels to be more bold with their investments, then Boston has a chance. Otherwise, it's not worth it for innovative start ups to stay in Boston.
Re: Why to Move to a Startup Hub
#27I'm willing to bet NY VCs are not as conservative as Boston VCs, yet NY is no Silicon Valley.
Like they say "It is what it is" , the evidence is there to show that SV favors startups, if any one wants to do their startup in Newcastle-upon-Tyne , they are welcome to try.
Re: Why to Move to a Startup Hub
#28So suppose one were to move to the valley out of the blue. How long would it take to feel the effect (ie be socially connected or whatever it takes)? What are the monthly costs of living there?
Re: Why to Move to a Startup Hub
#29Hm, is it just me or, is this the first of Paul's essay that contained little/no new content? I've definitely heard most of these points before... Nobody likes moving, so this is an issue that people are going to grumble about no matter how sound the advice is, or how often it is repeated.
Some of it seemed new to me. The reductio argument is new; the list of reasons not to move is new; the proposal for a startup founder visa is new; the comparison of SV and Boston investors is new, and particularly the simple explanation of the latter's conservatism; the point that startup hubs are markets is new, and in fact only occurred to me for the first time in the middle of writing this.
Re: Why to Move to a Startup Hub
#30It may just be me, but it seems that many Europeans are more nationalistic than Americans when it comes to certain things. Not in a negative sense, but as if more of a cultural thing. It does not surprise me that PG speech about startup hubs might have offended many in the audience, even though the offense was obviously not intended.
If the situation were reversed and PG came from the UK to give that talk in SV, I dont think many would have been offended on terms of national pride. I suspect many startup entrepreneurs from SV would not hesitate moving to a different city in another country if it greatly increased their prospects of success. I for one do not have a problem moving somewhere else, and I consider myself to be at least somewhat of a patriotic American.
Again, not meaning any offense to European citizens in general, just sharing my observation.