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Quoted in (614) Magazine’s November 2011 Cover Story

Is Columbus the next Silicon City? (614) Magazine’s David Lewis asked me a few questions about the Columbus tech space for the November 2011 cover story “2011: A Tech Odyssey”. Below are my comments, but you can read the full article on (614) Magazine’s website.

Matt Martindale, a 30-year-old entrepreneur who moved to Columbus from New York City, had apparently heard that message. He echoed Pentland’s assertion that certain intangibles could come together and just make a place “work.”

“Philosophically, I believe if you build a great product or provide unmatchable service, it doesn’t matter where you are,” he said. “Where there’s more volume, there is also more crap. What makes the tech scene more attractive here than some other places is a 100 percent opportunity to become a great, influential company or individual in a large and growing city,” he said.

Martindale, who spent time at digital-marketing giant Resource Interactive (whose first client was a little computer company named Apple), worked for several start-ups in Columbus before founding the popular locals-only social-networking site, Cbusr.com. He now he has irons in even more fires, as he is in the works to expand the Cbusr concept to other cities under the umbrella of HelloNearby.com.

“What entrepreneurs do now in Columbus will have great impact on what defines the city’s start-up culture. For my company, we see an opportunity to become the greatest Internet-technology company Columbus has ever seen,” he said. “That’s pretty motivating to wake up each morning and imagine.”

For more insight, I’ve included the original interview transcript below:

Is Columbus destined to be the next “silicon city,” the next hub of high-tech innovation?

Absolutely. I’m personally involved in internet technology startups. I believe we are still in need of some more talent, innovation and competition within that space, but we’re heading in the right direction. Generally speaking, there are things happening in Columbus that are simply phenomenal.

You are from New York, and yet you are here, now. Why is that?

I’m asked this question often and it’s not only because I believe Columbus is the next “silicon city”. It’s because Columbus is a complete package and I would argue it has potential of becoming recognized as one of the great American cities. I haven’t committed to planting here permanently quite yet, but Columbus has changed my life to the point where it would be very difficult to leave.

What about Columbus’ tech scene did you find powerful enough to keep you here, rather than trying your luck in Silicon Valley, the 128 Corridor or other areas that are known for high populations of tech-based businesses? What makes this an ideal place to headquarter your burgeoning business?

This is probably naive and I don’t care. But philosophically, I believe if you build a great product or provide unmatchable service, it doesn’t matter where you are. Where there’s more volume there is also more crap. What makes the tech scene more attractive here than some other places is opportunity to become a great, influential company/individual in a large and growing city. What entrepreneurs do now in Columbus will have great impact on what defines the city’s startup culture. For my company, HelloNearby.com, we see opportunity to become the greatest internet technology company Columbus has ever seen. That’s pretty motivating to wake up each morning and imagine.

Do you think we are headed in the right direction, in terms of infrastructures, incentives and workforce?

I’d agree we’re headed in the right direction, though not quite there yet. Anything great comes from constant improvement. So it’s a good thing to never be quite there yet. It means there’s still life.

Can you identify any areas that could stand to be improved upon? Programs that didn’t (or don’t) work? Or opportunities the area should take advantage of if we want to attract and keep innovators like yourself?

I think the biggest challenge Columbus has is the ability to retain the types of people who make great programs happen, start promising new companies and so on. You asked me why I am here right now instead of San Fransisco or New York and I have a polished answer. But not everyone has had the experiences I’ve had and I wish for more education and push for young professionals to become involved in entrepreneurship here in Columbus. We should demonstrate how much impact their successes could have in Columbus as opposed to larger city.

I was also the subject of the magazine’s “PowerSuit” feature back in July.