[jmw]

The traditional claims for success/failure of companies inside/outside of the valley comes from Venture Capitalists who have years worth of statistics coming from their own investments.

The stats point to a change in percentage chance of success for any incremental distance from Palo Alto/Mountain View that a venture funded company is moved. (I don't know the numbers offhand - but it's significant, even down to whole percent numbers per 10 miles if I remember correctly)

From someone who's recently been talking to many people about the choice to live in Boston, Mountain View/Palo Alto, San Fran - or somewhere else, every person (investor/entrepreneur/historian) points to MV/PA.

Many people (and firms like Sequoia ...etc) won't invest unless you're in the valley.

[BitGeek]

You're giving me rumor and second hand inuendo and no stats. You say you can't remember them offhand, but I don't think you ever heard any-- that weren't made up on the spot.

The fact of the matter is, there are many very successful startups in Seattle, Portland, Chicago, New York, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, etc. etc. etc.

People in the BAY AREA think that the BAY AREA is necessary for success for a startup.

But they are not taking from any kind of a scientific knowledge.

Its just provincial arrogance.