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Some Thoughts on Branding Startups and Communities

Both Sides of the Table

ZestCash, founded by Douglas Merrill, former CIO of Google [Hollywood]. I guess Santa Monica is officially “Silicon Beach” in the local people’s minds. Still, I kind like the name, well, um, … Santa Monica. Here’s a short list that are decidedly East of the 405 freeway (i.e.

Startup 304
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Can You Really Build a Great Tech Firm Outside Silicon Valley?

Both Sides of the Table

I live in the city of Santa Monica. That sets us up nicely for the next phase of the web. Douglas Merrill, the former CIO of Google, is building his next company, ZestCash in LA. So can you really build a great tech firm outside of Silicon Valley? Sure, but it will be different than the Bay Area ones. Los Angeles.