Testing Location: Whats Best for Us?

57% of booming companies are headquartered in San Francisco. Yet housing markets for investors are likely to boom in Texas, Utah, North Carolina, and Colorado. And furthermore, we have great access to investors, mentors, and real estate agents in Boston, New York, and L.A. So, where should we go create a company- a place close to the technology center, a place close to our customers, or a place close to our startup network?

This really comes down to a conversation about philosophy and business mindset.    Some argue that proximity to tech partners and the epicenter of innovation trumps proximity to customers.  Others argue that you’re a very small fish in an exceptionally large pond by going to Silicon Valley, so stay in Boston where we have great access.  And then there’s the argument that being far from a customer creates a bubble where customer problems are not solved.  

Overhead costs are going to vary greatly in all three locations.  Ultimately, we’re leaning toward operating in Boston or NYC given our network.  Property managers and small investors are plentiful in the northeast (to say the least), and we will have access to tech talent here too.  But the beauty of launching a startup is that it’s a journey: flexibility matters.