Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
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Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
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Re: Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
#2Server seems crashed, that link works for me: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:0W2gpfw...
Re: Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
#3I have been involved with Swissnex and been advising Swiss startups for some time. I also go to Switzerland every other year if not every year and meet with startups there.
Things I noticed:
1. Incredibly smart people.
2. Behind Silicon Valley on best technology and product building practices by at least 2 years.
3. Great work ethic and social responsibility.
4. Do not have world conquering ambitions - which kinda works against them. One of the founders was talking about an idea and was being very conservative with market size estimates. So I suggested to him - Think about how you can conquer the world. And his reply was - We are Swiss, we don't conquer the world.
I think one of the biggest challenge for Switzerland tech scene is that there is no viable immigration path for a non-EU citizen. Even after decades, you might not get a citizenship [1]. It makes it difficult for them to attract talent from outside, especially those with Silicon Valley experience.
Not that US is any better for Indians. Based on current estimates, if someone from India applies for an employment based Green Card now, they might get it in 70 years. And life is a pain because you have to do a lot of paperwork throughout.
If there was a viable immigration path in Switzerland, I would move there tomorrow!
1. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/naturalisation-controversy_amer...
Re: Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
#4Hey all! Original author here.
Seems like the server might be down. Bumping @jotaen's comment on the cached link: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:0W2gpfw...
Thanks @jotaen!!! Really appreciate it.
Re: Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
#5Hey, but at least you get paid more in U.S., right?
Re: Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
#6That lifestyle is possible in SV too .. it's a matter of how you choose priorities. At www.compilerworks.com we are purposefully bootstrapped to enable a high quality lifestyle (there are 3 of us in the Bay Area and 5 internationally).
Re: Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
#7I have been involved with Swissnex and been advising Swiss startups for some time. I also go to Switzerland every other year if not every year and meet with startups there. Things I noticed: 1. Incredibly smart people. 2. Behind Silicon Valley on best technology and product building practices by at least 2 years. 3. Great work ethic and social responsibility. 4. Do not have world conquering ambitions - which kinda wo…
> Do not have world conquering ambitions - which kinda works against them.
Works against them towards what? Not wanting to conquer the world is legitimate, I don't see why everyone should absolutely want to become the next Bezos.
Re: Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
#8I have been involved with Swissnex and been advising Swiss startups for some time. I also go to Switzerland every other year if not every year and meet with startups there. Things I noticed: 1. Incredibly smart people. 2. Behind Silicon Valley on best technology and product building practices by at least 2 years. 3. Great work ethic and social responsibility. 4. Do not have world conquering ambitions - which kinda wo…
> Do not have world conquering ambitions - which kinda works against them. Works against them towards what? Not wanting to conquer the world is legitimate, I don't see why everyone should absolutely want to become the next Bezos.
Sure, but if nobody in your country wants to conquer the world then the others will never reap the benefits of someone having conquered a piece of it.
Re: Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
#9I have been involved with Swissnex and been advising Swiss startups for some time. I also go to Switzerland every other year if not every year and meet with startups there. Things I noticed: 1. Incredibly smart people. 2. Behind Silicon Valley on best technology and product building practices by at least 2 years. 3. Great work ethic and social responsibility. 4. Do not have world conquering ambitions - which kinda wo…
> Do not have world conquering ambitions - which kinda works against them. Works against them towards what? Not wanting to conquer the world is legitimate, I don't see why everyone should absolutely want to become the next Bezos.
It also means that they have trouble acquiring certain types of talent (reputation is free talent advertising).
In addition, having a few world conquerers around helps bring talent and money which is then turned into startups - there are a lot of great companies and non-profits that make SV what it is because some founder or early employee exited with retirement money and decided they wanted to apply their skills to helping society.
Not that's the norm, mind you, or that world-conquerers are amazing. Just, why having the occasional "big vision" around helps out.
Re: Forging a Swiss Lens: How Zurich's tech scene changed my view of SV
#10I have been involved with Swissnex and been advising Swiss startups for some time. I also go to Switzerland every other year if not every year and meet with startups there. Things I noticed: 1. Incredibly smart people. 2. Behind Silicon Valley on best technology and product building practices by at least 2 years. 3. Great work ethic and social responsibility. 4. Do not have world conquering ambitions - which kinda wo…
> Do not have world conquering ambitions - which kinda works against them. Works against them towards what? Not wanting to conquer the world is legitimate, I don't see why everyone should absolutely want to become the next Bezos.
Based on the other context from the comment, probably something like "[...] works against them [when they are looking to fundraise from SV VCs]."