Unfortunately, DC based on VC funding to local companies (including Maryland, VA and DC) doesn't hold a candle to NYC or Mass on the east coast.

It's funding numbers have been buoyed in recent quarters by large LivingSocial rounds but otherwise, there is not a lot of institutional investment flowing to startup in the DC area.

Look at pages 4 of 5 of the report embedded at the bottom of this link. You'll see DC doesn't figure near the top for VC deals or funding - http://www.cbinsights.com/blog/venture-capital/venture-capit...

I'm from the DC area (now living in NYC), and all of my DC tech friends went into consulting. No one even considered a startup.

I'd love to see a great startup culture grow around the DC area, but NYC is light years ahead at this point. DC makes it too easy to be conservative.

Also look at the Acela. Great high speed service between DC and NYC. Faster and sometimes cheaper than flying.

Are you asking me to come? Is this a formal invitation? :)

I'd be interested in what data there is to back this up? I'm admittedly biased (as a NYC resident), but I just don't see DC carrying the same kind of weight as NYC.

An admirable list for sure - but that doesn't really tell us why DC has more startup mojo than NY. Particularly when it can be quickly countered with the "Made in NY" list of companies, all self-reported and all with over 10,000 users. http://nytm.org/made/

DC is seeing an explosion and it's great! I know of 3 co-working spaces that popped up recently. Also if you're in DC come to the meetups advertised via Startup Digest DC. There was also a group for DC Hacker News readers altho there hasn't been much movement in that there are lots of cool things going. One thing I'd love to see is an incubator program in DC proper. I know there is one that is run as a partnership with UMC CP but I've looked (and looked) and cannot find anything in DC. If anybody knows of one I'd love to check it out.

+1 for DC and the growing startup scene there.

(I'm from DC and am on the investment team at 500 Startups.)

Do you want to build a scene or build a business?