5 reasons why the Silicon Prairie is fertile ground for startups
The Midwest is stepping up as an incubator for start-ups.
What the Midwest has going for it:
1) Quality of Life (comparatively low rent and cost of living to other cities, accessible, creative arts scene)
2) Available job prospects (competitive market, particularly in areas like the medical device field)
3) Growing diversity (rise of Hmong, Somali, Latino communities, dramatic increase of Hispanic high school and college graduates)
4) Emerging programs and companies that expand tech skills and experience (number of local venture capitalists and other organizations that promote entrepreneurship and tech skills
5) Fostering technology interest at a young age (integration of new tech in Twin Cities/suburban schools (iPads, smartboards, etc.), promoting coding and computer programming)
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
What the Midwest doesn't have going for it:
"What we don't really have is that critical edge where there's just a lot of money floating around, looking for opportunities. You go to Seattle, and you look at all the Microsoft millionaires, they're all investing in each other, and each other's restaurants, and each other's new companies. And you go to Silicon Valley, and people - V.C.'s - are wandering around Stanford University with a checkbook. We're not there yet, and that's where you want to go." — Chris Farrell
Listen above to a discussion about Silicon Prairie and what it is that draws big ideas into a number of mid-sized cities in 'fly-over' country, MPR News host Kerri Miller moderates.