Charting the 'Urban Shift' Among Technology Start-Ups

Once upon a time, tech start-ups located almost exclusively in the suburbs. New data reveals the extent to which this pattern has been reversed.

1 minute read

April 2, 2014, 6:00 AM PDT

By Anna Bergren Miller @abergrenmiller

Richard Florida analyzed the urban shift in America’s start-up economy for a report from the Martin Prosperity Institute. He found that in seven out of 13 metropolitan areas, more than half of venture-capital funds went to businesses located in city centers or the walkable suburbs.

Why the switch from the suburbs to downtown? Florida identifies several factors. First is the tendency of talented workers to cluster in urban areas. Then there’s the efficiency factor: dense areas enable companies to offer workers more amenities for less. Finally, the fact that so much of today’s tech is based in the virtual world means that it no longer requires large campuses.

FULL STORY: The Urban Shift in the U.S. Start-Up Economy, in One Chart

Monday, March 31, 2014 in Atlantic Cities

Land Use Technology Urban Development United States start-ups Start-Up Economy Capitalism Venture Capital Technology Start-ups Suburbs City Centers View More

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