Thanks for penning this Jon.

I couldn’t agree more. As the founder of a skincare brand and two tech businesses I have felt the squeeze of local pressures in Sydney. As the founder of a design consulting firm I have felt the squeeze in the 8 businesses we launched and helped grow in 2015. With these companies heading offshore to find funding and a larger, more responsive market.

Two weeks ago I was at the WeWork demo day in NY and I couldn’t believe the (questionable) quality and high level of adoption and funding that all the companies had achieved there. The fact that Manhattan has a population density of roughly 10,000 per sq km compared to Sydney’s 340 per sq km means that business can scale rapidly in a small (area) market, saving marketing and distribution dollars. I met a team who has a food delivery business that was supporting 5 employees delivering food over a 15 block area!

The mature VC market, like you say, is critical as well.

I also believe there is a general public sentiment of support for entrepreneurial activity in the states. In my business development trips to the US over the past 6 months the support and willingness to collaborative have been refreshing. Whilst we receive good support in our home market I find people are generally more sceptical and require winning over. I believe a poisonous, early stage business environment leaves people highly strung and highly competitive.

It’s the market advantage and culture of entrepreneurial support that sees my team relocating to NYC in the next 3 months.

Opportunity calls!