You likely want connections that you can only develop there, but once you actually start, VCs don't care where you, just who you are and who can vouch for you.
Re:Tech Jobs Are Everywhere Now
by blacktriangle on Saturday October 09, 2021 @01:52PM
(#28811821)
FWIW I'm working on a tech startup far away from SF, so it's possible. However we're arguably not a startup since we're not really engineered for hypergrowth as much as slowly and methodically building a self-funded, profitable product company. As such issues like raising funding and hiring quickly are not things we're concerned with, which might be why we're doing fine outside of SF. When we do hire it's 100% remote so our location isn't hurting us in that regard.
We feel like this is the best choice for our company as we retain 100% ownership and can focus on a straightforward business model of selling people a product that solves their problem at a fair price. Arguably the possible upside would be higher if we tried to go the VC route and get huge fast, but then the potential downside goes up as well. This way we're working ourselves into what amount to incredibly high paying jobs while also owning the asset that is the company.
I moved to San Francisco a few years ago with the sole goal of starting a tech company. The “cushiness” of my well paid day job has made me a bit lazy in that regard, but it’s still the goal.
However, I’ve become extremely disenchanted with the city and state, so the idea that tech startup == San Francisco is the only thing keeping me here.