[mikekchar]

This may be a stupid question, but why are people so keen to work in their start up in the US? My background is IT, so perhaps that colours my perception, but I can't actually see comparative value for working in the US.

Of course you can create a US company. You can travel to the US to make connections and try to raise money, but for actually doing the work, the US seems like a pretty poor choice. Salaries are higher than pretty much anywhere else on earth. There is a shortage of good talent. Real Estate is expensive. Visas for foreign workers are practically impossible.

Obviously, some people live in countries where the infrastructure is not set up to really be successful. But there are lots of easier countries to start a business in (and get a visa) than the US.

Is there something I'm missing, or are people just buying into the "American dream" thing and assuming that they will be successful in the US?