I think the high-tech industry is used to developing new things very quickly. It's the Silicon Valley way of doing business: You either move very quickly and you work hard to improve your product technology, or you get destroyed by some other company.

Elon Musk.

Business Magnate, Inventor & Investor.

SO, WHAT IS SILICON VALLEY?

Image

Greatest universities on the planet!

Many of the largest and most successful tech-companies in the world are headquartered in Silicon Valley, and those not based here most likely have a significant presence, as being part of the innovative environment of the Valley is essential to future success. To name a few; Apple, Google, eBay, Facebook, HP, and Cisco all have headquarters in Silicon Valley.

... AND THE BRIGHTEST PEOPLE!

Some of the most talented people in the world in the field of technology go to Silicon Valley to work, creating a unique and dynamic working environment. Through intensive knowledge sharing this contributes to the Silicon Valley Ecosystem. In fact more than 60% of the engineers in Silicon Valley are foreign born, and more than 50% of company founders are not originally from the region.

1/3 OF THE WORLD'S VENTURE CAPITAL

Silicon Valley is the world’s center for venture capital with more than one-third of all venture capital investments in the United States. Along Sand Hill Road numerous prestigious venture capital firms are located side by side. With several successful exits and IPO’s in the last year, even more capital has become available for promising young startups.

... AS WELL AS STARTUPS AND TECH COMPANIES!

Many of the largest and most successful tech-companies in the world are headquartered in Silicon Valley, and those not based here most likely have a significant presence, as being part of the innovative environment of the Valley is essential to future success. To name a few; Apple, Google, eBay, Facebook, HP, and Cisco all have headquarters in Silicon Valley

Image

10 REASONS WHY SILICON VALLEY WORKS

1. STRONG “WILD WEST” IDEALS: HARD WORK, ETERNAL OPTIMISM, RESTLESS, APPETITE FOR RISK-TAKING (GOLD RUSH)

2. STRONG EDUCATIONAL TECH TALENT POOL: E.G. STANFORD, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

3. FEW OR NO BARRIERS, E.G., SOCIAL/RACIAL/ETHNIC/CLASS

4. STRONG FLOW OF TECH-TALENTED IMMIGRANTS:  CHINA, INDIA, EUROPE

5. FAILURE IS NOT STIGMATIZED: VALUED AS “EDUCATION”

6. ECOSYSTEM OPEN AND DYNAMIC

7. NETWORK, ABUNDANT, INFORMAL, OPEN, FOCUSED ON KNOWLEDGE-SHARING

8. LEGAL ASSISTANCE, ETC.: STRONG SUPPORT FROM KEY SERVICE PROVIDERS

9. ABUNDANCE OF CAPITAL! 1/3 OF THE WORLD´S VENTURE CAPITAL IN SV

10. HOME OF THE “SERIAL ENTREPRENEURS”

Image

THE SECRET STORY

Despite what today’s young entrepreneurs might think, Silicon Valley didn’t launch with the Internet – or even Steve Jobs. It goes back to World War II. SCALEit mentor and serial entrepreneur Steve Blank wrote a number of articles on the fascinating story of Silicon Valley - and how it came to be.

And hey! Take a look at the “Seven Commandments of Silicon Valley” before entering!