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If the right pieces fell into place, despite being a Bay Area native, I would consider Vancouver if I were starting a company. It would have to be one that did
by jmspring 13y ago
If the right pieces fell into place, despite being a Bay Area native, I would consider Vancouver if I were starting a company. It would have to be one that didn't depend on bay area connections (VCs, etc). I've spent a lot of time in Vancouver, and yes, it has tech companies but for some reason has never become a technology hub. However, the blend of urban and amazing outdoors (yes, it rains, and I recall a July trying to get around during downpours and a bus strike) make it a tempting place for me.
It has great connectivity, cultural diversity, easy access to both Seattle and SF (a couple of hour drive/flight), a hub for asia, a great university in UBC.
There is a lot going on there that should make it more open to tech companies, but it has always been more of media than a tech town.
- elchief 13y agoI raised 80k in a couple weeks for a little startup in van. Which ain't huge, but was (almost) enough. Just gotta meet some rich folk!
- liquimoon 13y ago- There is a lot going on there that should make it more open to tech companies, but it has always been more of media than a tech town. It's slowly changing now. Facebook, Twitter, Amazon and Microsoft all have their offices here.
- jmspring 13y agoIt has been a little while since I last checked, but the Amazon and MSFT offices were more towards Richmond than Van proper, but still a good sign. Though some of those offices were, from what I recall, a method to get around issues in dealing with US work visa issues for foreign talent...
- seanmcdirmid 13y agoSeattle to Vancouver is not a two hour drive. 3 or 4 hours, depending on the border.
- jmspring 13y agoI've done the drive to Richmond in a bit over two hours. A couple generally can mean 2-3. Three is certainly more normal. NEXUS/SENTRI helps.