5 Surprising Cities for Gen Z Entrepreneurs

It’s no mystery that Gen Z is the next wave of entrepreneurs. And they might just be the smartest wave of entrepreneurs responsible for the next generation of breakthrough technology, since they were literally born into a world of technology. And as such, cities are being built with incentives and creating ecosystems to better house Gen Z entrepreneurs. Below is our curated list of best cities for Gen Z entrepreneurs to consider when starting their business.

 

Alexandria is an emerging startup hub in Virginia just right outside of Washington DC. The city has among the lowest unemployment rate out of any cities in America. It’s also among one of the most diverse cities and often a popular choice for new businesses. With such low unemployment rate, low cost of living, a diverse population, and easy access to loans for small businesses, Alexandria made several lists for top startup cities for Gen Z.

 

2. Iowa City, IA

According to the State of the Silicon Prairie Report, Iowa City was ranked #6 on the list in terms of compatibility for startups and entrepreneurs. Startups that grew out of Iowa universities were rated #2 in terms of innovation index. And that’s just the beginning. Iowa City isn’t just a magnificent city. It’s also a college town with University of Iowa being at the center of attention. Iowa City also has one of the lowest cost of living for entrepreneurs in the country. The city is also rapidly developing into a technology hub with concentration on AI and robotic startups. Startups seeking low cost of operation, funding, culture, talent, and city support can find it all in Iowa City.

 

3. Chapel Hill, NC

Chapel Hill is considered “Startup capital of the South” by NBC. Currently home to Fortune 100 companies such as IBM, Sony Ericsson HQ, and Cisco Systems, it’s no wonder Chapel Hill was rated so high on the list. Chapel hill added the third most tech jobs recorded in 2016, a feat on it’s own. The city also features some of the best research universities in the country, low office rentals, and access to affordable housing. All of these features make Chapel Hill appealing to new startups.

 

4. Boulder, CO

If you’ve never been to either Boulder or Denver, you’re missing out on one of the most beautiful mountain views in the country. Being a startup here gives you easily one of the most scenic and breathtaking view from your window. Boulder ranks in the top 5 in terms of culture, education, access to talent, abundance of transportation, and a highly livable city. Recent startup weekends in Boulder and Denver drew in crowds of over 20,000 and had famous speakers such as Kimbal Musk in attendance. It’s impressive what Boulder has been able to do to become one of the top startup cities in America.

 

5. Rochester, MN

Labeled as the new Silicon Valley for Medical technologies. The city has ambitious plans to become a global biotech hub with over $6.5 billion in investment over a 20 year period. It’s also home of the Mayo Clinic. Rochester ranks in the top 10 in terms of household income growth, affordability and commute cost. Rochester is also top 15 in high-wage professional growth and top 20 in resourceful class workers. The transformation will create anywhere between 25,000 and 40,000 jobs within the next 20 years. If you’re a Gen Z with an interest in biomedical technology of want to get sizable investment in medical tech, Rochester Minnesota is your best bet.