15 Surprising Cities Comprising the Nation of Innovation

While Silicon Valley, New York City, and Boston are well known loci for agglomerations of technology companies, a number of factors have conspired to spread research and innovation into lesser known corners of the country, including: Oklahoma City; Greenville, South Carolina; and New Haven, Connecticut.

"The reasons for the shift are complex and differ from one city to the next, but in many cases, they boil down to this: The Internet has lifted the cost and geographic barriers of starting a business. That, combined with the proliferation of local incubators and other support networks, has freed entrepreneurs all over the country to innovate, and take risks, without losing their shirt."