U.S. Cities Rank Highly as Locations for Startups

The Startup Genome Project ranks the Silicon Valley as far and away the best location in the world for startup businesses, but other American cities appear all over the top ten.

1 minute read

July 29, 2015, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Richard Florida shares the results of a new ranking for the world's reading startup cities. According to Florida, the 2015 edition of the Startup Genome Project "is based on data from 11,000 global startup companies, interviews with more than 200 entrepreneurs worldwide, and data from Crunchbase and other sources." The result is a ranking of the world's "startup ecosystems" (i.e., "the broad infrastructure of talent, knowledge, entrepreneurs, venture capital, and companies that make up a startup community").

According to the ranking, the worldwide list of startup ecosystems is lead by the Silicon Valley and followed by three more American locations: New York City, Los Angeles, and Boston. Chicago and Seattle come in at number seven and eight, respectively. The article also includes more insights into the findings of the rankings and what they say about the cities included on the list.

For another take on a similar idea, focusing just on the United States, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation maintains a "Metropolitan Area Rankings for Startup Activity" index. The 2015 version of that index places the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metropolitan area at the top of the ranks.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015 in CityLab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog