Generally speaking, Seattle is where you build the system that can’t fail; SF is where you decide to change the rules. Combine those instincts and you get companies that both ship boldly and stand up to reality.

Seattle’s startup scene is a BigCo-shaped ecosystem. The center of gravity is Amazon/Microsoft/Starbucks training, not YC-style blitzscaling. That produces world-class operators and systems thinkers, but fewer “set the rules, break the market” founders. The “break the market” bit is starting to wear thin with many (but that is another article). Founders and recruiters I know describe SF talent as more default-entrepreneurial; Seattle talent as more “show me how to get started.” Recent founder roundtables echo this: SF tolerates wilder bets and higher risk; Seattle is supportive, “chill,” and a bit less urgent.

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