[duped]

Startups are founded in Northern California because of easy access to VC money and an extremely strong talent base. I don't know what the numbers are but I would be surprised if there are more startups in SF proper and not San Jose and its suburbs (the real economic heart of the Bay Area, honestly) and out in the East Bay.

San Fransisco is fun but a big pain in the ass to get to and live in, even compared to the rest of the area.

[bsder]

> Startups are founded in Northern California because of easy access to VC money and an extremely strong talent base.

And the illegality of non-competes. And the fact that your off-hours IP is yours.

One thing that tech people are forgetting is that California law may not apply to them in remote situations and there are a bunch of protections that you get when you are subject to California law.

If you don't think the corporate lawyers are already working this angle, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you ...

[duped]

I mean that just plays into the talent pool - people who are willing and able to join or found a startup.

While I think what you're talking about is a big deal and the biggest mistake every state that wants a tech industry fails at (yet New York, Massachusetts, and DC/Virginia seem to do ok), a bigger one is the fundamental culture of Californian tech. Most other parts of this country, people are too scared to take the risk to leave the "good" job for a startup. It's a negative feedback loop that dampens any chance of growth. California is the one place where people feel safe enough to ditch a good job for a cool one, and it pays in spades for the state.

[hintymad]

This explains why the Bay Area attracted so many startups, but does not necessarily explain why in the past 10 years more startups were founded in the SF proper instead of in the south bay.