The Next Silicon Valley: Jacksonville?

[Metro Jacksonville]

The Next Silicon Valley: Jacksonville?



Few cities in the U.S. today offer the rich history and bright future of Jacksonville. Settled by European colonists in the 1500s, Jacksonville is now transforming itself into a vibrant hub for businesses, technology and entrepreneurial vision. While Metro Jacksonville believes things are a bit more complex than the reason highlighted in this editorial, here's a look at why SocialMonsters.org believes the city could be the next Silicon Valley. We'd like to know if you agree.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-nov-the-next-silicon-valley-jacksonville

[spuwho]

Negative Nellie moment

Not enough local academic research
Not proximate to Asia
No corporate interest locally for research capital
Bandwidth still relatively expensive
Inadequate public transportation
State and local tax structure not aligned for research types

[copperfiend]

I love Jacksonville and think it has loads of potential.

But I don't see this one. A big reason Silicon Valley is Silicon Valley is it's proximity to Stanford University.

[mbwright]

Might be interesting to see the actual IT employee numbers over the years, along with the degree of offshoring.  I'd personally rather see more growth in this area in Tallahassee.  Fanatics has certainly grown, and Citizen's is there now.

[Captain Zissou]

Sounds to me like "cheap cost of business and abundant workforce".  I'd say we're the next Mumbai or Manila before the next Silicon Valley. Companies move operations to Jax in order to "near shore" as a cost cutting measure.  That's still good, but we're not Silicon Valley.

[finehoe]

I'd say we're the next Mumbai or Manila before the next Silicon Valley. Companies move operations to Jax in order to "near shore" as a cost cutting measure.  That's still good, but we're not Silicon Valley.

This.  The research component of SV is what makes it what it is.  As far as I know, that just ain't happening in Jacksonville.

[Adam White]

If only there were *someone* with personal, inside knowledge of silicon valley and its environs that could give us some valuable insight...

[Tacachale]

If only there were *someone* with personal, inside knowledge of silicon valley and its environs that could give us some valuable insight...

Oh lord, don't start.

[UNFurbanist]

A great new mid tear tech and entrepreneurial hub? Yes! Next Silicon Valley? No... And that's ok! As far as the research argument is concerned Jax needs to be more engaged with UF and UNF IMO in order to attract the talent coming out of these universities. If we can do that more efficiently then we might really start seeing some even greater momentum. In the mean time lets get some urban core projects done so these new talented individuals actually have somewhere to go when they get here!

[ProjectMaximus]

If only there were *someone* with personal, inside knowledge of silicon valley and its environs that could give us some valuable insight...

Would be great if this person were a graduate of an institute of technology as well, so they'd be equipped with the academic background to pair with that SV knowledge. Isn't there such an institution in Georgia somewhere?

[ProjectMaximus]

I agree with many of the points in the article*, but don't come to quite the same conclusion. It really depends on what one means by the "Next Silicon Valley." As many have pointed out, the underlying factors and indicators are not very comparable, but if you're just wondering if Jax can attract young people and VC-type investors to the area driven by a burgeoning tech scene, then yes it could very well happen.

*"Accessible Financing" and "Robust Arts and Culture" are a bit overstated when this discussion is involving all the largest metros in the country.

[simms3]

No, just no.  To all this.

[CG7]

Actually yes to all this. You obviously have deep seated issues with Jacksonville, but the article is correct about taxes, housing etc. Now whether or not that would lead to another Silicon Valley or not is a different story.

[Captain Zissou]

No, just no.  To all this.

That's all we get?  Come on Simms!

[BoldCityRealist]

LOL