I moved back to the Bay Area 401 days ago to be in the AI capital. Here’s how it’s going: Growing up, I was obsessed with SF. In college, I'd cold DM people on LinkedIn. Top leaders at Apple, Facebook, Google. Insisting to get an in. I moved out here in 2016. Worked at Salesforce. Led UX for one of their first AI products. Even got to release it on stage at a Dreamforce keynote. Worked at Google. Led UX across Maps and Search. Even taught meditation to Googlers around the world. During Covid, I left. Lived nomadically. Lived in LA. Then, the Generative AI boom started. I knew I needed to move back. 401 days later, it's clear. If you're serious about building in AI. The Bay Area is the place to do so. So, where I am now: Building in stealth with two epic co-founders. Big momentum with what we're building. Inspired daily by people I've met. It all started as a dream in my family's computer room. (Yes, remember those?) Searching on Google for the first time. Getting obsessed with technology. I knew I had to go for it. In college, I loved this quote: "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all." Oscar Wilde makes it simple. Make the move you're unsure about. Do what makes you uncomfortable. Play it big, even if you're scared. You won't regret it. ~ 📍 Ferry Building ✍️ What's your take on this? ♻️ Reshare if this is helpful. #bayarea #founderstory #venturecapital #generativeai
Rachel Weissman I do believe in the power of being in the Bay Area, and around the entrepreneur spirit, yet, I also find it is a very big bubble that creates a disconnect between the technology, what it can do, and what humans need it to do. Thus the viability and desirability of AI solutions are currently in question. I hope you never forget your Midwest roots Rachel. I live and breathe AI all work day, every day, and I am thankful for the ability to get away from it when I go to my kids baseball games, or meet up with the moms after school, or talk with my husband about his day in manufacturing. It’s important to find balance. I fully believe in you and the skill set you have to do that. I look forward to seeing what you create.
Nice post! Are you really building what people want?!
Totally! It’s hard to make hard calls, but the rewards in learnings, opportunities, people and adventure are unmeasurable. People think we’re the craziest founders to leave the happiest country on Earth, Denmark for the unsafe, unsure, potential opportunity in the US. Now 8 months into the move, I’m thinking we were crazy not to do it earlier. Best of luck with the new startup! Excited to follow along!
Rachel Weissman Thank you for sharing! Could you please elaborate more on why exactly the physical presence in Bay Area is so important? I understood that there is a special vibe in the air. Looks like there is a lot of engineering talent (AI related) in other places/ countries (ex. France and UK).. Is it about access to specialized VC..?
That’s how I felt in 1986, 1997 and 2008. It got a bit overrun with money chasers and went from mom jeans to Armani suits, from a Woz culture to people who would have made fun of Woz in high school, over the years, but there is still just something magic about the Bay Area.
Rachel Weissman that's exactly how I felt when building my tech career years ago. Love seeing how a place such as the Bay Area can serve as a launchpad for some of our greatest innovations! 🚀
I'm not sure if this is a serendipity moment or not but, I just spoke to a colleague about a similar idea moments ago and I returned to LinkedIn and your post is the first post I read. 🙂 Starting is always the hardest thing to do. So much uncertainty. Blind faith, I guess. Thx for sharing Rachel.
Inspiring story! Can't wait to see you bring AI to the world in new ways. 🙌
this is a RAD post, I am thinking of doing the same with the GenAI explosion but I like not paying 4839494$ for rent
Managing Partner at NMA Venture Capital GmbH
3wgreat story. I hope that moving back to the bay area will get you to the next big step with your company! it sounds like you did some serious planning while following your instincts.