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Some Thoughts on Branding Startups and Communities

Both Sides of the Table

World-class education including Caltech, USC and UCLA. ZestCash, founded by Douglas Merrill, former CIO of Google [Hollywood]. Think about venture capital. But if you were going to start a venture capital fund today, you’d want to stand out. Here’s a short list that are decidedly East of the 405 freeway (i.e.

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Can You Really Build a Great Tech Firm Outside Silicon Valley?

Both Sides of the Table

Last year I was on Sand Hill Road in Silicon Valley meeting with one of the most prominent venture capital firms in the country. We have world-class universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and more. Douglas Merrill, the former CIO of Google, is building his next company, ZestCash in LA. million in SF Bay Area ).

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Want to Start a Technology Company in LA?

Both Sides of the Table

We have universities like CalTech, UCLA, USC and many more. Funding is different – In Silicon Valley you have mega venture capital funds and many of them. Douglas Merrill, the former CIO of Google, is building his next company in LA. But LA is not Silicon Valley and we don’t need to aspire to be so.

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