True North 400’s Post

DC's Tech Scene Just Got Hotter! 🔥 We're thrilled to announce the pilot of DC Tech Studio—a game-changing new hub for innovation and entrepreneurship for Washington, DC! Over only a handful of weeks we have moved at a rapid pace to build an amazing team, recruit a remarkable cohort, and craft an enviable program—only made possible through the constant support of and a generous donation by Venture X Washington DC - Adams Morgan. The Venture X team has worked tirelessly with us to activate a section of their state-of-the-art space to host our founding cohort of 11 groundbreaking companies for the duration of this pilot. Why is this a big deal? This is a homegrown movement – built by DC's tech community, for DC's tech community. We're not importing Silicon Valley solutions; we're cultivating innovation that's uniquely DC. - Local Talent, Local Solutions: We're investing in the ingenuity and passion of our city's entrepreneurs, fostering solutions that address DC's unique challenges and opportunities. - Strengthening the Ecosystem: By connecting founders, mentors, and investors right here in the District, we're strengthening the bonds that make DC's tech scene thrive. - Building a Legacy: We're not just launching businesses, we're building a legacy of innovation that will keep DC at the forefront of technological advancement. - Creating Opportunities: This pilot program is a launchpad for DC startups, providing the resources and connections they need to scale and make a real impact in our community. Stay tuned to meet the incredible startups of our founding cohort, the team behind the DC Tech Studio and for exciting event announcements! Want to join a cohort? Apply for the waitlist at www.dctechstudio.com Need workspace? Venture X Washington DC - Adams Morgan has you covered. Huge thanks to the team at Venture X Washington DC - Adams Morgan and their astounding support for local entrepreneurship and innovation! 🤝 With a very special shout out to Mike Postal, Kimberly Sperling, Sari Postal, Kristin Corazzi Vincioni, and Jordan Thornton! #DCTechStudio #VentureX #AdamsMorgan #DCTech #Startups #Coworking #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Community #DC

Yesterday was a great day at DC Startup & Tech Week (Formerly DC Startup Week), and we want to hear from you! Share with us how AED can support your growth and make real progress towards a more innovative region! We're always looking for new ideas. #DCSTW #DCStartUpandTechWeek #DMVEntrepreneurs #StartupDMV #DoItAtDCSTW #ArlingtonVA

A special thank you to Parmeet Grover, Ayash Basu, Malik Ben-Yousef and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) team for compiling this comprehensive and detailed 18 page analysis on the state of the Atlanta Tech ecosystem and what it will take for Atlanta to “Rise Up” to unlock its entrepreneurship growth potential. If you have a moment, I’d highly recommend you read the entire report, but I’ll share my thoughts below 👇🏽 A few stats that jumped out from the study for Atlanta to be a top 5 tech hub: 👉🏽Create 2,000 new startups a year (Was at 158 for 2022) 👉🏽VC investing has to increase by 3X 💰 👉🏽Atlanta graduates 13K a year, but only has enough jobs to accommodate 20% of that graduated tech workforce Biggest takeaways? -Colleges and universities in Atlanta, particularly our R1 research institutes at Georgia Tech, Emory University and Georgia State, are under commercialized and our students (undergraduate and graduate) need to be more fully incentivized to start their own companies and build it in Atlanta. -The concept of a Startup Mill, (how about we officially name it Terminus Mill? 🤔) could be a great way to create & centralize a thriving tech district, within the sprawl of Atlanta. -Support efforts to secure and market a major, recurring cultural event held in Atlanta. There’s a tremendous opportunity for Atlanta to take advantage of bolstering an event or week that is intentional on strengthening Atlanta’s standing and reputation. There’s work to be done for sure, but I’m so excited to be a part of the solution of how we make Atlanta the next best place to build a startup. Great reporting by Mirtha Donastorg from the AJC : https://lnkd.in/ewcrJTpz Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report: https://lnkd.in/eb-KgMpv

🚀 Embracing Tech Innovation: Atlanta's Evolution into a Thriving Tech Hub Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, is experiencing an unprecedented surge in its tech industry, solidifying its position as a thriving hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. With a rapid influx of tech startups, established companies, and a growing pool of talent, the city has become a prime location for tech business ventures. Let's explore the factors contributing to Atlanta's tech business boom and its journey towards becoming a prominent player in the tech industry. The Rise of Atlanta’s Tech Ecosystem Atlanta’s tech ecosystem has witnessed exponential growth, driven by its diverse economy and lower cost of living, attracting entrepreneurs and tech professionals seeking opportunities outside traditional tech hubs. Esteemed academic institutions, such as Georgia Institute of Technology, have played a pivotal role in nurturing a skilled workforce and fostering a culture of research and development. Investment and Infrastructure Significant investments in infrastructure and innovation, including funding from venture capitalists, tech-focused infrastructure, and the establishment of tech incubators, have propelled Atlanta’s tech business boom, providing startups and emerging tech companies with the resources to scale and thrive. Collaboration and Diversity Atlanta’s emergence as a tech business hub is founded on a culture of inclusivity, promoting collaboration and diversity, which have driven innovation and contributed to the creation of a supportive network for tech entrepreneurs and professionals. The Future of Atlanta’s Tech Landscape As Atlanta’s tech business boom continues, the city is poised to make significant contributions to the global tech landscape. With a thriving tech ecosystem, robust investment climate, and commitment to embracing diversity, Atlanta is well-positioned to attract the brightest minds and innovative enterprises, solidifying its status as a dynamic and influential player in the ever-evolving tech industry. Atlanta’s evolution into a tech business powerhouse exemplifies its dedication to fostering a climate of innovation and entrepreneurship. As the tech industry continues to thrive, Atlanta stands as a shining example of a city embracing change, collaboration, and diversity, shaping the future of technology on a global scale. #TechInnovation #AtlantaTechHub #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #TechIndustry #TechStartups #DiversityInTech

Report: Atlanta needs to create 2K startups a year to be top tech hub Just dove into an insightful article outlining Atlanta's journey to become a top 5 tech hub. Here's the TLDR on how we can contribute: ➊ Back the Atlanta Tech Startup Mill:   Let's rally behind the Startup Mill – a public-private partnership gearing up to unite key players and fuel Atlanta's climb to a top-five tech ecosystem. 🌐 #StartupMill ❷ Champion Diversity and Inclusion:   It's time to advocate for diversity and address the disparity gaps. Support initiatives ensuring equal opportunities for women and minority founders. 🌈💼 #ATLInnovators ❸ Boost Venture Capital in Atlanta:   Atlanta's tech growth needs a boost in venture capital. Let's emphasize the importance, aligning with Mayor Andre Dickens vision for job creation and innovation. 💡💰 #ATLTech Shoutout to Praveet Grover, Malik Ben-Yousef, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc. Donnie Beamer Jr., CFA and many others' for these initiatives and insights. https://lnkd.in/e_YdpK5Y

Washington, D.C. is rapidly emerging as a major force in the tech world. Ranked #12 globally, the nation's capital offers an impressive convergence of talent, renowned universities, and deep industry expertise. With significant investments pouring into sectors like life sciences, cybersecurity, and cleantech, the city is solidifying its position as a thriving innovation hub. The startup scene is buzzing with exciting companies like Shanda Studio, empowering podcast creators worldwide, and Oncovana, reimagining oncofertility. Meanwhile, Brightlines identifies and scrubs personal information from the internet, and Rohirrim offers organization-specific generative AI solutions. These are just a few examples of the innovative startups calling D.C. home, and they're a testament to the city's flourishing tech ecosystem. Exciting times lie ahead for startups and tech professionals alike in the nation’s capital! #TechHub #WashingtonDC #Innovation #Startups

💻 Portland's Tech Scene: A Key Driver of Economic Growth 💻 Portland's tech industry is rapidly evolving into a cornerstone of the city's economy. 🚀🌆 Discover how tech startups and innovations are shaping Portland’s economic landscape and contributing to its growth. From new job opportunities to tech-driven advancements, see why Portland’s tech scene is making waves! 🌟📈 Learn more about the key players and trends fueling this exciting development. 💡🔍 #PortlandTech #EconomicGrowth #Innovation #TechScene #PortlandNews https://lnkd.in/d58uSEFj

From Gap Year to Game Changers: The Story of Silicon Mountain's Pioneers The Spark of Innovation My entrepreneurial fire ignited right after high school in 2009. Taking a gap year became a springboard for self-discovery. Back then, tech titans dominated the wealth charts. Their stories, echoing a universal theme, fueled my "American dream" vision – but for Cameroon. With a burning desire to contribute, I enrolled in Computer Engineering at Buea's newly established institute. The Birth of Silicon Mountain Here's where destiny stepped in. I wasn't alone. The halls teemed with kindred spirits, a band of "crazy guys" sharing the same vision. The first semester saw a collective – and audacious – decision: to drop out and build companies. Our dedicated registrar recognized our drive, granting us a special student status. We'd build businesses, return for exams, and guess what? We aced them, becoming the top performers in our year! Years later, the University of Buea's Faculty of Technology and Engineering launched, with Ayuk Etta as part of its first cohort. His internship path intertwined beautifully with ours. ActivSpaces Buea, Africa's pioneering digital hub, hosted our burgeoning startups, including somewhere Ayuk interned. This shared space fostered a deep friendship, and we christened our ecosystem: Silicon Mountain. The Journey: Failures, Triumphs, and Beyond We embarked on a roller coaster ride, building numerous startups across various teams. Failures were inevitable, but so were the hard-won successes. Years later, an American fintech giant, expanding into Africa, recognized the potential in Ayuk's startup, Skylabase, acquiring it for millions. This windfall became the seed for something bigger. Ayuk, the true visionary, rallied us, the seasoned veterans, to create a sustainable engine for churning out startups. Thus, Mountain Hub was born. Its mission: is to nurture, support, and build businesses with unicorn potential, propelling our nation's economy forward. Building the Ecosystem: A Legacy in the Making Mountain Hub is just the first chapter. We've co-founded a constellation of initiatives: Mountain Angel Network, Mountain Credit Union, and iKnite.Studio, iKnite.Space, iKnite.VC, and CityHack. Our collective ambition? To cultivate a thriving tech and innovation ecosystem, not just in Cameroon, but beyond. Outliers by Choice, Trailblazers by Necessity We are self-made men, forged in the fires of the streets. We learned by trial and error, that the hard knocks becoming stepping stones on our path to building, scaling, and exiting companies. We are not just colleagues; we are brothers, bound by a shared vision. Together, we aim to rewrite the narrative of our country and continent, leveraging digital technologies and innovative processes. We stand as living proof that Cameroonians, and all Africans, have the power to break free from poverty and build a brighter future. This is our story. This is Silicon Mountain.  

New York City leads as America’s Top Tech Hub? Datamax Inc. (Texas) ranked the leading US tech hubs using the following data from StartupBlink... 1.) Startup numbers and incubators of each city. 2.) Availability of tech jobs from Indeed. 3.) The raised venture capital of the recent year. The only surprise on this list is Boston. Boston seems to be punching above it's weight class for nearly a decade now. With a population of ~655,000, Boston is overshadowed by the typical tech hubs we all know. If you have experience building in the Boston market, I'd love to hear from you! Where did my hometown place? "Chicago, claims ninth place with a score of 3.8. Chicago’s influence in the tech scene comes from its venture capital investment of $7.2B and a reasonable amount of tech jobs available in the city. The city’s notable number of incubators at 76 and startups also contributes to its ranking as a significant tech hub in the Midwest." #nowhiring #techhubs #techjobs #talentcookbook #bostonjobs #bostontech #chicagotech #nyctech

The Old Major Tech Hubs Are Also the Emerging Ones In a recent issue of our newsletter Labor Matters, Ashley Yuan and I examine findings from a new dataset by The Burning Glass Institute, which tracks tech startups across the U.S. The chart below illustrates the distribution of tech startups over time in key metro areas. The San Francisco metro area has seen significant growth, easing concerns about its potential decline as a leading tech hub. Meanwhile, New York City is also growing in the tech startup space over the past two decades, driven by its status as a financial center, talent magnet and efforts under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. While New York’s tech startup ecosystem has grown rapidly, it remains much smaller than the combined San Francisco and San Jose metro areas. However, it is the only metro area with the potential to seriously compete with the Bay Area. Together, the Bay Area and NYC’s share of tech startups has risen from 23% in 2008 to about one-third by 2023, solidifying their dominance. Are you surprised by these trends? #TechStartups #Innovation #LaborMatters #labormarkets #recruitment #tech #startups #nyc #sanfrancisco