I had just finished up a panel where one of the smarter start up guys out there (Jason Fried of 37Signals) and I had a panel discussion about VCs and Start Ups. I made the point about Canada being an amazing place to start up a company while Jason made an almost impassioned plea to staying the heck out of Silicon Valley. He pointed out he was in Chicago; doing just fine, thank you. I pointed out talent is amazing in Canada and besides getting a little rah rah, basically gave the same message; the valley is not the only show in town.
Then it was off the airport, barely climbing into my seat for a trip to Seattle.
Being in that frame of mind, I crack open the current edition of Business 2.0.
[side note: Old habits die hard. I actually get it via Zinio and forgot; bought the paper version]
The editor’s opening message was how he had given the whole staff a day off. That day off came with the direction that everybody run down from San Francisco to “the Valley” in a breathless attempt to see what the center of the idea universe is going to bring us. This was, of course, the big cover story. The valley is going to save the day, lead the charge, etc.
[side note: The current edition has a great story by Paul Kedrosky (met him in person, very nice/smart guy) on opportunities in search. Worth the price of the mag]
Sigh…
I’ve got nothing against Silicon Valley start ups or Venture Capitalist who feed there. Heck, I look to most of those VC guys for advice and guidance on many things. But when you look at the connected world we live in today, look at all the problems looking for solutions, and look at all the smart people each of are getting exposed to because of blogging, email, forums, etc, you have to ask the obvious question; aren’t there other great places with smart people doing world changing stuff that could use support, exposure, etc? I’m proud to be from my birth country (U.S.A) but there just has to be more out there.
Road Trip!
So, I’m packing a bag, a camera and I’m going to go around the world and take a look.
The objectives of this little trip? Glad you asked:
1. Get more ideas, more solutions for problems, more funding ideas from smart people.
2. Give lots of entrepreneurs a chance to talk to ‘a suit’ for some feedback and a little plug in my (very) small corner of the blogging world.
3. Promote Canada as a great place to set up shop. This is an amazing country and I think one of the best places in the world to have a business. While certainly web services and other Internet businesses can be on an island (with good connectivity), the quality of life, people, business ethics, government programs, etc, all make Canada a super place for business. I know it sounds all rah rah and corny but there you go.
4. Get to know more smart people. This is probably the single most important item on the list. You can never know enough smart people and there isn’t enough time on the planet to meet em all, so I need to get started. Yeah, corny line number two but there you go.
5. Do some evangelism/sales for a couple of my portfolio companies. I don’t do much talking about my portfolio companies in this blog because I don’t want to come off as hawking them or this blog being an advertisement for companies I work with. On this road trip, I’m going to try and help with various projects a number of them have going. It will save them some money and I’m happy to dig in and help with the various company efforts.
Bringing the brains along.
My father once told me the smartest thing I could do was always hang out, hire, and pay attention to, smarter people then me. Therefore, I’m going to crack open the frequent flyer miles vault and invite Shel Israel to tag along. Shel clearly falls into the smarter people then me group and I’m honored that he has agreed to come. Lots of people will be enriched by spending some quality time with him.
What you can do: Meet up!
Spread the worldwide word and let us know where you are and if you’d like to get together to tell us what’s happening in your part of the world. Link love to all your worldwide friends, folks, and let’s see if we can’t get a truly global start up camp of sorts happening.
I’ll be posting the schedule of places shortly but the block of time is August 11th – September 3rd. If you can recommend some places to visit, schools doing cool stuff, people we should talk to, places we should see and/or you want to get a group together and talk about start ups, blogging, venture capital, etc, we’d love to hang out with you and will try to fit in everything we can.
A little blogging, pod casts, and idea sharing on a global basis. Yep, should be fun and I’m looking forward to meeting you in person.
Note to Canada: Don’t flame me, I’m planning a Canadian road show of VC/Start Up things for the fall along with some other VCs.
Dayton, Ohio, may not sound like the most interesting place in the world to check out, but we've got some regional organizations that are doing terrific things to try and boost up entrepreneurial work here. Additionally, we've got several great software developer groups working on community-building and increasing skills. (Disclaimer: I founded and run one.)
I'd love to try and work something out for you to visit this area and talk with folks here!
Posted by: Jim Holmes | May 25, 2006 at 03:36
Heh don't forget about Hawaii! We have some amazing starts up and very creative people Take a peek at http://www.chipin.com for an example on innovative group payments. We also have the nation's most aggressive investor tax credit for high tech investments. So much activity! Would love to see you guys here!!!
Posted by: Olin Lagon | May 25, 2006 at 14:46
It'd be awesome if there were more VCs with your attitude about this, Rick.
Almost all seem to refuse to work with anyone unless they are in their geographic area (25-50 miles or so, it seems).
It's the exact reason why I'll be moving to the Bay Area in a year.
If VC opportunities were more plentiful in Phoenix, AZ (where I live now), I might consider sticking it out here.
Posted by: Shanti | June 03, 2006 at 01:27
Your journey will be productive & a neat trek 4 you as well. My partner and I have this very innovative idea/Invention that could literally change/save peoples lives & safety in bathroom tubs.Trust me many have come close but none have come up with this idea & whatever investor we get to back it(as we have not yet done presentations on it, but we have already somehow attracted some investor interest) will be very glad as many believe (& statistics show) that it would most likely be mass purchased by hospitals along with it's original intended residential use.No more falling and breaking anything in a tub, its ingenious! Im in Delaware 2hours from each-PA, NY and DC.Please let me know.AS we'd like to get this to market ASAP if anything,.. 4 helping people,you know? Looking forward to meeting the "Man With A Visionary PLan!" Thanks,A. Saracino& partner (Would like to meet & work with a man of your spirit.)
Posted by: Amanda Saracino | June 07, 2006 at 04:10
You might find Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland interesting from the point of view that even though it's relatively small (around 15,000 residents), it attracted a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson to a greenfield site. As a result, 450 high tech jobs will ramp up before the end of 2008. The most interesting facet of this story is the role played by behind-the-scenes government grants and by Ireland's low business tax regime.
Ireland's a small player in a big global market. It's no longer a low-cost area. Attracting high tech to a high cost country something every government needs to do. If you stop by and visit, you could probably discuss how these things unfolded with the business development officer who steered the deal to completion.
Alternatively, come enjoy the scenery and Irish hospitality. I can recommend several watering holes in Cashel where there's no tab for international visitors.
Posted by: Bernie Goldbach | July 26, 2006 at 15:21