Investment and workers can be located anywhere. Even Silicon Valley companies list themselves on New York stock exchanges to access capital from around the enti

Investment and workers can be located anywhere. Even Silicon Valley companies list themselves on New York stock exchanges to access capital from around the entire country and the globe. What's unique about Silicon Valley is the density of software-minded people willing to adopt products made by their friends. It sets up a "if you build it, they will come" situation. That promotes the early adoption needed to grow into something larger. If you were located in Iowa and your friend group was made up of farmers, they likely won't care about the software you are building, and you'll stall out quickly in trying to find users. On the flip side, if you are building something that would be of interest to Iowan farmers, you will have a greater chance of success having that farmer friend group than a bunch of Silicon Valley tech bros to share with.