As a founder of several Silicon Valley startups, now living in Tokyo and exploring the "startup scene" in Asia, allow me to comment. TOP 5 REASONS STARTUPS IN

As a founder of several Silicon Valley startups, now living in Tokyo and exploring the "startup scene" in Asia, allow me to comment. TOP 5 REASONS STARTUPS IN COUNTRY ___ ARE SO DIFFICULT 1-4. Exits, exits, exits and exits. Exits are scarce in country ___ and valuation multiples are low [because strategic acquirers are far away]. 5. VC money. VC money is scarce in country ___ and on shitty terms, because EXITS ARE SCARCE AND ON SHITTY TERMS, and for no other reason. Beyond that, this article reflects mostly bad decisions and wishful thinking. > The Government Does Not Support Online Businesses Neither does the US Government. > Nor Does it Support Venture Capital Nor does the US government. Also, see "VC Money" above. > Foreign Investors Want You to Have a Global Vision No they want you to sell into a big market. Australia has billionaires, ergo there are large markets in Australia. Go find one. Or go to a place that has a market you like better. > start-up employees are liable for the tax charge on shares when they vest (not when sold), even though the value can’t be realised properly yet. The one interesting point in the article! Thank you! Now you have one specific point that you can address. Set aside your blanket criticism of Australia, and people will be able to hear your one good point. > Very Few Tax Breaks or Grants What Silicon Valley successes can be attributed to tax breaks or grants? Actually it's just the opposite. Government programs that support startups are most common in countries where there are structural reasons that startups are hard. > Australia is Getting Really Expensive Neutral point, it affects your pricing and costs equally. > We’re both in our early 30′s, with a family & mortgages. So you want to be a startup founder, AND own a house, AND have a family? How is this Australia's problem? Founding a startup requires tremendous focus. Seems like poor judgement with a touch of entitlement. > Timezones Make Communication Hard Locating yourself far away from your target market is foolish, not unfair (see "foreign investors" above). > we’ve got more incubators than ever before, we got lots of amazing co-working spaces & everyone is really just trying to find their product market fit in the big bad world. I recommend looking a little more intently at the /results/ side of the equation, and a little less on the /effort/ side of the equation.