As an outsider, it is painfully clear that I should not try to move my business to the US at this point. Europe's looking better than ever now for tech startups.
With the Brexit, many Euro companies near to defaulting and Russia moving troops to its western boarders, you really think Europe is a better place? USA has its fair share of problems, but I would not go so far as to say anywhere else is more ideal for startups (or living). yet.
As much bad emotions as their are going around this election, we don't kill buissness leaders who oppose us (russia) kill political leaders who dissagre us (n. korea), have civil wars taking the lives of thousands (many countries in africa), kill drug users in the streets (PH) or have mass civilaian graves from cartel wars (mexico)
I'd have agreed with you if you had not included the "(or living)" part. How can one say living in Europe is not ideal if one's #1 priority is not wealth?
Really: "With the Brexit, many Euro companies near to defaulting"? Didn't know this was a fact already? Besides, most "Euro companies" are not located in the UK and I doubt the effects of the Brexit is only contained to or affects Euro companies.
I would argue that many countries in Europe is better for living (family time, vacations, work-hours, gender equality, free education, healthcare, freedom of own body (abortion)...) and have been for some time.
However, I suppose that depends on who you are and where you come from (and whether you care about/agree with any of these things I list) - home is home after all. Also Europe is not one country: Spain is different (not worse - different) from Sweden (but then again: New York is different from Rockport, Texas too).
There seems to be less VC money in Europe, but maybe that's where we're going either way. Again, some places are better (Geneva, Switzerland VS <Small-City>, Greece) off than others (just like Silicon Valley is better than many, but maybe not all (?), places in the US). But, I'll give you that.
Who's to say it's not going to change though? As you pointed out: Brexit had a huge effect. To me this election feels like a much bigger deal.
Anxious to see how the market in general reacts when Trump either: a) does what he said he'd do (wall, nato, ...) or b) fails to do what he said he'd do. Let's hope it's only me who's anxious though. If not, I suspect there will be a negative reaction in the market: anxiety = uncertainty = risk after all.
In any case: the chance of this happening (market reacting negatively) combined with the effects of it (economically, jobs) >> the chance of Russia invading "Europe" (which I assume is what you're alluding to) combined with the, albeit devastating, effects on the lives of the people living there.
I'm don't even feel like going to the US on vacation anymore before somebody figures how to fix the police violence, the guns, the endless suing and the racially biased incarceration. Being afraid of the people around you, has a crippling effect on my life quality. And I don't seeing it becoming better under Trump. I'm willing to admit I am particular in my views here though.
My point here is that: you might be missing out if you truly believe that the US is an absolute better place than Europe. In some aspects, I'll be surprised if you didn't feel that it was the opposite.
>don't... kill political leaders who [disagree with] us
But Hillary said she wanted to drone Assange and Obama assassinated two US Citizens abroad, one a minor.
Not to mention the leaked audio revealing that Clinton wanted to rig the 2006 Palestinian election. And she said that to foreign reporters with tape recorders, not CIA suits in a bunker.
By making access to workers more difficult or by repealing trade agreements that protect your startup's intellectual property and access to international markets?
Trump has only ever been against ILLEGAL immigrants. If you come here legally through a visa program or other legal method, than you are fine. Its the border jumpers and people who overstay their legal welcome that he has always had the problem with.
I've read his books, watched his speeches, interacted with his supporters, and I've seen very little anti-foreigner sentiment. Its all anti-illegal-foreigner sentiment, which is fundamentally different.
Perhaps? I'm not sure what you're alluding to. Regardless, startups are often attuned to many social issues much more closely than traditional companies, and I can't help but agree that this is a huge discouragement for forward-looking businesses.
As an American, I'm looking at Canada and Germany. I have a Canadian work permit and I'm looking at their startup visa. I was offered German/EU residency last night.
I honestly have no idea. I've lived/worked in Switzerland (Geneva) and Italy before. I wasn't expecting it and I really haven't had the time to let this sink in.
I'd look into Berlin and Hamburg. Berlin is changing rapidly with a lot of opportunity and Hamburg is already quite wealthy with a ton of resources available to it.
I've been leaning away from Silicon Valley for awhile. It's expensive here; SV used to be the only game but now startups can legitimately be anywhere. SV doesn't especially offer anything that can't be found/done elsewhere. Indeed it feels oversubscribed here.
When I was there, the Berkeley EECS Undergraduate Handbook (basically your graduation contract) said that the prestige of a Berkeley degree increases with distance. Translated into English that means get out of Dodge. Similarly, an SV pedigree counts for something elsewhere, maybe more than it does here.
I agree with you. I came to SV in 2012 to study and loved it here up until 2015 or so. Ever since then I got tired of the life here and how crowded it is everywhere. If I wanted to stay here, I would also need a visa after I am graduating in Spring 2017.
So, right now my plan is to use what I already have (a European Passport) and move back and take advantage of the stuff Europe offers me!
And if you ask many Germans, the economic situations in both have their own problems as well. No where is perfect, instead of uprooting, people that want change need to become a part of the movement rather than waiting for others to do it for them.
I'm not directing this at you, just making the comment.
