Can Any Tech Hubs Rival Silicon Valley?

Tip: the answer is yes.
Silicon Valley has become synonymous with technology and innovation. Considering that tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Intel – to name but three – are based out of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California, it’s not surprising. Home to some of the biggest names in tech innovation, and indeed thousands of smaller fledgling tech companies, Silicon Valley is today a hive of IT activity unrivalled anywhere else on the planet.
Or is it?
While Silicon Valley is certainly the tech hub “poster child”, there are a range of areas worldwide which are fast becoming well known as techie magnets. From East London to Nairobi, there are promising tech hubs emerging around the world to offer the next generation of computing masterminds a safe haven (and maybe even a few million dollars).
So what alternative tech hubs does our world have to offer?
East London
Known affectionately as Silicon Roundabout, the Old Street roundabout area of East London is rapidly becoming a tech startup paradise. All the big names in tech have offices in this emerging tech hub area – including Google and Amazon – and there are a range of web-based startups getting their starts in the vicinity.
Hong Kong
Pegged as the next big tech hub of China, Hong Kong beats mainland rivals such as Shanghai and Beijing for internet speeds and enjoys relaxed censorship controls, making it a more likely place for startups and established tech corps alike. Incubator programs like StartMeUpHK will attract the young talent of the next tech generation, so watch this space.
Provo, Utah
The city of Provo in Utah, USA was recently recognized by Inc. as the third most up-and-coming city for jobs in technology, and pegged as “The Next Silicon Valley” by The New Yorker. With more private venture funded businesses with a $2 billion+ valuation than anywhere else on the planet, Provo already gives Silicon Valley a run for its money.
Tel Aviv
Known as Silicon Wadi, the area around Tel Aviv boasts the highest density of startup companies the world over. Some of the biggest names in tech have a presence in the Israeli tech hub, including Microsoft, Google and Cisco to name but a few.
Austin, Texas
Between 2001 and 2013 Austin saw a 41.4% rise in tech jobs, with thousands of digi-startups getting off the ground in the Texan city. With a young population and a vibrant lifestyle on offer, Austin is fast becoming a desirable place for these techies to take root and grow.
Can you think of any other emerging tech hubs? Tweet us @VPSNET.