The more people move to Silicon Valley to start their venture, the more time will pass before its easier to do so in their hometown.
You're placing the value of hope that the future will be better in your hometown over the value of the fact that things are better right now in Silicon Valley. You and I both hope that, in the future, an entrepreneur-friendly culture will grow in many places. But, I'm accepting the reality that for my current business to succeed today, I need to take part in that culture today.
If you're willing to forego success today in exchange for helping other people in your hometown have success in the future (distant, but questionably made nearer for your willingness to stay home), then we're talking about different questions. Of course, I happen to believe you have to have some success under your belt in order to make a real impact on your hometown's startup culture. Random dudes who are passionate about startups is far less effective than random dudes with millions of dollars and a proven track record of building one or more companies who are passionate about startups.
And then we're back to the question of, "How do I best insure my business is a success?" If it's a technology startup the answer is often, though not always, "build it in Silicon Valley".
That's true, actually I'm more a global thinker than a individual thinker. That's why even if I fail, I should first do no harm and have at least led others to the right direction (in my case, health and ecology).
And this kind of thinking doesn't makes me try to succeed whatever the price. Or in this case, I can even pass over opportunities that would make my personal success more likely but my global influence less positive.
I can say "I will strike rich AND THEN have a positive impact" but the odds are 5 on 1 against me to strike rich so I have to be positive for others even if I personally don't strike rich.
While I'm rarely accused of humility, I'm afraid that in this case I am too humble to imagine that by staying in Austin (or Houston, or Greenville, SC, or any other place I've lived) that I could have turned their economy and culture into one that is more friendly to entrepreneurs given my existing resources.
It sounds as though you are not hindered by any such weakness. Best of luck to you.
You're placing the value of hope that the future will be better in your hometown over the value of the fact that things are better right now in Silicon Valley. You and I both hope that, in the future, an entrepreneur-friendly culture will grow in many places. But, I'm accepting the reality that for my current business to succeed today, I need to take part in that culture today.
If you're willing to forego success today in exchange for helping other people in your hometown have success in the future (distant, but questionably made nearer for your willingness to stay home), then we're talking about different questions. Of course, I happen to believe you have to have some success under your belt in order to make a real impact on your hometown's startup culture. Random dudes who are passionate about startups is far less effective than random dudes with millions of dollars and a proven track record of building one or more companies who are passionate about startups.
And then we're back to the question of, "How do I best insure my business is a success?" If it's a technology startup the answer is often, though not always, "build it in Silicon Valley".