Tech Infant SD Still Tops for Start-Ups

SAN DIEGO—While San Diego’s tech scene is still in its infancy stage compared to the likes of Silicon Valley, it remains a Smart City and one of the best regions for technology and business start-ups, JLL SVP Tim Olson tells GlobeSt.com. According to the firm’s recent tech report, San Diego is part of a cluster of US cities considered to be “growth markets” for technology firms. The report also said for tech as a percentage of local leasing, San Diego is eighth highest of all major markets; San Diego has two mega/large-cap technology headquarters, Qualcomm and the North American headquarters of Sony Electronics; and San Diego ranks approximately in the middle of all major markets for VC funding. JLL’s locator matrix shows that San Diego placed in the quadrant of low-cost/high start-up opportunity, a sweet spot for young companies; and Lumedyne and Fitbit are looking for space in San Diego.

In 2014, San Diego was chosen by Forbes as the best city to launch a startup, for its strong technology sector, local innovators, green practices, smart public planning and an unparalleled quality of life, Olson says. Other selection factors included San Diego’s size of population, demographics/cultural diversity, livability, economy and business climate, educational institutions, leadership and a strong sense of community.