It's an incredible statement on the depth of the bay area talent pool and VC money network that so much tech concentrates in such a tiny place (and thus drives up the rent, as in the article). Nowhere else in the world can compete.
It's not for lack of trying. Louisiana, for example, will pay 35% of a programmers salary indefinitely[1]; other states and cities have similar programs. That's serious competition. But the talent/money vortex of the bay area is not just winning, it's actually getting stronger.
The other areas with real companies, like Austin, Seattle, and New York, still feel like also-rans compared to SF and the valley. If you want to raise money, it's still the place to go.
It's just incredible to think about. Is there any other field where there's just one geographical place that's just so far ahead of anywhere else? Especially fields like biotech, where geography isn't directly related to the business?
It's not for lack of trying. Louisiana, for example, will pay 35% of a programmers salary indefinitely[1]; other states and cities have similar programs. That's serious competition. But the talent/money vortex of the bay area is not just winning, it's actually getting stronger.
The other areas with real companies, like Austin, Seattle, and New York, still feel like also-rans compared to SF and the valley. If you want to raise money, it's still the place to go.
It's just incredible to think about. Is there any other field where there's just one geographical place that's just so far ahead of anywhere else? Especially fields like biotech, where geography isn't directly related to the business?
[1]: http://gnoinc.org/about/digital-media-incentive/