4 ms·

I think pinning this on a "Midwest mentality" is really missing what is probably the biggest reason. _There is no tech industry in the Midwest_ If your starup f

I think pinning this on a "Midwest mentality" is really missing what is probably the biggest reason. _There is no tech industry in the Midwest_ If your starup fails there isn't another cool startup down the street you can work at instead (a la SF, NY, Boston, etc...) Startups here (I'm in Kansas) are real small businesses that either make money and allow you stay or fail and force to you move. You simply can't wait two years to figure out your business model or hope for a buy-out. It's just that simple.

angersock 15y ago
There are lots of startups in Texas-- in Austin, in Houston, in Dallas. You're mistaken. And yes, we do have people fold up shop and move to other startups. Sorry Kansas (your corner of it anyway) ain't workin' out for you.
- cantastoria 15y ago
  I've never heard anyone refer to Texas as the Midwest. And Kansas is working out for me just fine wise-ass...
  - wj 15y ago
    I have referred to Texas as the Midwest. I tend to think West of the Mississippi and East of the Rockies as the Midwest with a little bit of latitude to the East (Illinois). Not saying I'm correct on that just that I have done it.
  - angersock 15y ago
    Texas sure as shit isn't the South. Buncha dumb hicks over there. :)
jremsikjr 15y ago
I'll go ahead an disagree here from Madison, WI as well. In fact, there are no less than three cool startups within a block and a half (Murfie.com, ContextClothing.com, Asthmapolis.com) of our offices. There is plenty of opportunity to land if your startup suddenly goes away. And that doesn't even take into account the option of working remotely.
- cantastoria 15y ago
  But none of those companies are "twitter-like". They all have fairly low-risk and clear business models. The lede of the article is essentially why aren't there more businesses like Twitter starting in the Midwest. If a number of high-risk twitter-style startups descended on Madison tomorrow do you think it could absorb all the out of work employees when/if they got laid off?
mml 15y ago
You are very wrong (at least about MSP)..
- cantastoria 15y ago
  Thank you for your compelling and insightful argument.

angersock 15y ago

There are lots of startups in Texas-- in Austin, in Houston, in Dallas. You're mistaken. And yes, we do have people fold up shop and move to other startups. Sorry Kansas (your corner of it anyway) ain't workin' out for you.

cantastoria 15y ago
I've never heard anyone refer to Texas as the Midwest. And Kansas is working out for me just fine wise-ass...
- wj 15y ago
  I have referred to Texas as the Midwest. I tend to think West of the Mississippi and East of the Rockies as the Midwest with a little bit of latitude to the East (Illinois). Not saying I'm correct on that just that I have done it.
- angersock 15y ago
  Texas sure as shit isn't the South. Buncha dumb hicks over there. :)

jremsikjr 15y ago

I'll go ahead an disagree here from Madison, WI as well. In fact, there are no less than three cool startups within a block and a half (Murfie.com, ContextClothing.com, Asthmapolis.com) of our offices. There is plenty of opportunity to land if your startup suddenly goes away. And that doesn't even take into account the option of working remotely.

cantastoria 15y ago
But none of those companies are "twitter-like". They all have fairly low-risk and clear business models. The lede of the article is essentially why aren't there more businesses like Twitter starting in the Midwest. If a number of high-risk twitter-style startups descended on Madison tomorrow do you think it could absorb all the out of work employees when/if they got laid off?

mml 15y ago

You are very wrong (at least about MSP)..

cantastoria 15y ago
Thank you for your compelling and insightful argument.