Building high-tech in the Dakotas
November 15th, 2008I’m blessed to live in one of most beautiful places in the country. The Dakotas are home to serene prairies, the beautiful black hills, a winding Missouri river, and wide open spaces. We have world class pheasant and big game hunting that draws gaming enthusiasts from around the world.
The world turns slower here - the agriculture lifestyle that the Dakotas are built on stays strong, and farming remains very successful. The bottom line is this: our quality of life is outstanding. I’ve lived here for a dozen or so years, and I’ve grown to love the place.
I also happen to love technology. Many have asked me why I’m not in Silicon Valley. It’s a simple reason: technology thrives where great minds thrive, not just in San Jose. I love Silicon Valley, and I travel there every year. However there is so much untapped potential right here in the Dakotas. DataSync has thrived on amazing people who have either grown up here, or enjoy the lifestyle outside of work that this area offers. We’re a web software company, so working outside the office in beautiful weather is an option for us. Although we’re very driven at DataSync, productivity is enhanced by an active, healthy lifestyle. The uncrowded, open environment of the Dakotas enhances this balanced lifestyle.
The high-tech community here is small, a benefit I’ve grown to appreciate. As I sat at Monk’s with a collection of innovators last week, I again appreciated the small, tight-knit community of people who are passionate about building the future of technology. Competition for great talent is reduced here, so it’s easier to find great people. We live in a small state, so people’s reputation guides hiring decisions. Cost of living is lower, so building a startup is less expensive.
As I look out my window onto the untamed prairie, I’m thankful that I’ve landed in this wild land. Silicon Grassland is a great place to build a company that will change the world in it’s own small way.