Silicon Valley is known for being the starting ground of numerous world-famous tech companies like Netflix, Google, Apple and of course, Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook. Not surprisingly, the area is continuing to attract bright and young entrepreneurs looking to duplicate the success of these companies. But Zuckerberg has one shocking message for them: ‘Don’t bother’.
Rejecting the Bay Area
Unsplash | Zuckerberg’s statements come amidst the rising concern over the area’s increased living costs and income inequality
During an interview in Utah, the billionaire said that he wouldn’t launch a startup in the San Francisco Bay Area, where many Silicon Valley tech giants are headquartered, today. Clarifying that he isn’t too negative about the area, he said that he simply won’t pick it if he was going to start from scratch now.
He also shared that he was only 19 years old when he moved to the Valley and that things were different then. The main contrast is that certain tools needed for company-building weren’t refined then as they are now. He particularly pointed out how social media has made it easier for businesses to reach their customers.
A Different World
Insider | Zuckerberg began working on his now multi-billion-dollar company when he was a student at Harvard University
The 35-year-old Facebook CEO said that things have changed and startups can now begin their journey in other locations as current infrastructure allows them to do so. What more, Zuckerberg shared that it might be easier for them to get out of Silicon Valley.
He talked about the benefits of building a business outside of a ‘monoculture’ what with the Valley being an ‘all-tech town’. This means that there aren’t really a variety in ideas and the ways people think.
Shared Outlook
CNBC | Ohanian founded the social news aggregation website in the mid-2000s with Steve Huffman
The Internet entrepreneur’s sentiments are echoed by fellow tech executive Alexis Ohanian. The Reddit co-founder has claimed that ‘no one in their right mind’ would base the entirety of their new business in San Francisco.
He particularly pointed out the difficulty in recruiting talent and doing business that the high cost of living the region poses against entrepreneurs. It’s worth noting that Reddit itself is headquartered in San Francisco. Its team initially moved there in 2006 after being bought by Conde Nast.
