How to build hot companies in cold places

Is a location-flexible winter the answer for cold-weather brain drain?

The secret to talent recruitment in Minneapolis, Moscow, and other cold-weather climates is simple. Coming from a cold-weather deserter who loves where he grew up, I know.

I know because my wife and I are Minnesota emigrants. We left for California 8 years ago.

The narrative usually goes something like this in a cool cold-weather place. You are either born there or you come for universities or jobs. That’s the story in Minnesota. Lots of good universities (University of Minnesota, McCallister, Carleton, St Olaf, Gustavus, and so on) and out-of-state students. The startup scene is flourishing. There are also 19 Fortune 500 companies, including the one where you may shop the most (Target), the one whose cereal you probably love (General Mills), the one whose post-it notes you use (3M), and the place you’d go for a major health problem (Mayo Clinic).

Growing up in Minnesota meant a lot of winter outdoor activities in the backyard.

Once in Minnesota, you may love it or you may hate it. I love Minnesota for many things, including the outdoors, the artsy and progressive Twin Cities, the local farm-to-table food, and the indie music. The culture is…