Tech outtside the Bay Area

[jay]

My theory is that if you wanted to build the next Facebook, you would do it in the midwest, in a place like Detroit.

Part of my theory assumes that there is a lot of talent, often unemployed talent, in these areas...Many of these people are stuck, and couldn't afford to move if they wanted to (not that they necessarily want to).

I'd love it if fans and techies from these areas could band together and help each other out. Maybe if people could start by saying where they are from and what they think about what I'm saying?

[rsoricelli]

I think the south east is overlooked a lot for some reason. I can't remember what number it was exactly but Palm Bay, Florida was listed in the top 20 "Geeky Cities" in the U.S. When they defined Geeky, they basically defined anybody who had a job in the tech industry. You can see what I'm referring to on the latest podcast from TWiT. I'm sure it being the Space Coast, home of NASA, had something to do with it. And beyond that, we have Disney World, home of the Imagineers. I think Florida is a tech goldmine waiting to be discovered. I just have to figure out how to mine it myself before people better versed than myself move in.

[jay]

I've seen folks in various communities set up meet-ups very successfully, and begin to organize and define the community better.

Maybe start with that?

[gvirga]

Hello Jay,

You are so right. Tech is alive and well in places... well... in places pronounced to be dead like Detroit.

Yes, we have been hit hard by the economic down turn. There are a lot of people out of work. But out of this we are seeing a regeneration of the seeds that founded Detroit.

There have always been smart people in Detroit that have made stuff mainly for automobiles. If you think of the innovations that make up a modern car, most of them were invented here in Detroit. The list is way too long from the lock washer to airbags. The same smart people are now learning they do not need to work for a large corporation to make a living. The intellectual capital they wield is powerful. We are seeing this in a resurgence of the entrepreneurial spirit.

There are a host of organizations that are filling the need to make a spark, inspire or connect. The following is a short list to give you an idea of the energy here.

Maker collectives that bring people together to create:
http://www.i3detroit.com/
http://www.mtelliottmakerspace.com/

Tech organizations that bring likeminded people together:
http://www.detroittechevents.com/
http://DetroitNet.org
(My fav: They have the philosophy of gathering tech professionals to have an adult beverage and good things will come of it.)
http://www.tedxdetroit.com

Startup/investing - there are many more
Great Lakes Angels - http://glangels.weebly.com/
Ann Arbor Angels - http://www.annarborangels.org/
Grand Angels - http://www.grandangels.org/

Business Incubation:
http://www.techtownwsu.org
http://www.annarborusa.org/business-accelerator
http://www.oakland.edu/macombouinc/

That said. Detroit is not different than any other area. Search your area to see what organization can help make your dreams become a business. Use the following search terms:
?[your area here] business incubator?
?[your area here] maker collective?
?[your interest] user group?
"[your area here] angel investor?

You'll be surprised what is in your backyard. Beside, I'm sure the rent is cheaper where you are vs. Silicon Valley or Bay Area....

Cheers and make your dream reality -- the only thing stopping it is you.

[rsoricelli]

Thanks guys. Great advice. I'm definitely going to be doing a Google search for those. I've spoken with two of my co-workers who are like-minded and we're going to start meeting on our days off to just throw ideas around. I can go back and forth with one of them all day talking about tech, and the other one taking about business, so I think the three of us should be able to put a few things together. Fingers crossed. Thanks again.

[frankiethewaffle]

I am in an area that is supposed to build the next tech boom on the East Coast. So far called "Tech Valley" as it is supposed to be in the Hudson Valley of NY.

I haven't waited and don't want to, but there were recently more Billions dumped into a project to expand big Tech. related buildings' expansion. Now this is hardware based mostly. However, there are houses and compounds of houses springing up that are literally my neighbors. All bought by these Tech companies.

Question. Should I go to the other coast, with risk, for timing or wait it out and find people where I am based? I only need those resources of coders and designers, or should I wait and try to get lucky that they are coming up here?

[nesgirl9]

I have a start up company that is ready to launch and I'm looking for an investor. Small investment and an untapped market. The issue: the company is based in Canada - how do you mingle between boarders when it comes to lending (and where do you find investors)?

Check out: www.ividsonline.com.

Thanks!

Nina