Is Silicon Valley still the best place for startups? Insight Partners’ Ryan Hinkle doesn’t think so

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Mar 5, 2025

Ryan Hinkle, Managing Director at Insight Partners, brings a wealth of experience from the global venture capital scene. He discusses the shifting startup landscape, pointing out that successful companies aren't tied to Silicon Valley alone. Hinkle highlights how rising costs and a 'mercenary' hiring culture challenge retention, making cities like New York and Miami attractive alternatives. They also explore the impact of AI on investment strategies and the essential balance between growth and financial health for startups.

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ANECDOTE

Family Business Influence

Ryan Hinkle's grandmother started a clothing store in 1969, which grew to a 15-store chain.
This early exposure to entrepreneurship and its challenges shaped his career path in venture capital.

INSIGHT

Silicon Valley's Not Essential

Silicon Valley isn't essential for startup success; access to skilled, loyal, and affordable talent is key.
While Silicon Valley offers a large talent pool, high costs and retention challenges make it just one option among many.

INSIGHT

Silicon Valley's Mercenary Culture

Silicon Valley's abundance of opportunities creates a "mercenary" hiring culture.
This makes employee retention difficult, as talented individuals are constantly pursued by other companies.

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Today on Equity, Julie Bort sits down with Ryan Hinkle a Managing Director at Insight Partners, the giant New York-based venture capital firm that invests in tech worldwide. It has $90 billion in assets under management and just raised a new $12.5 billion fund.

The pair unpack the evolving landscape of startup ecosystems. They talk about the post-pandemic shift that saw many founders moving to cities like New York or Miami only for the rise of OpenAI and Cerebral Valley and the accompanying AI boom to reignite San Francisco and Silicon Valley in general.

While some founders say that they are now relocating their companies to San Francisco, Hinkle disagrees with the necessity of doing so.

He concedes that the Valley offers an unmatched talent pool but argues it also comes with steep costs and retention challenges, making it far from the only viable choice for startups.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about:

Why startup success isn’t tied to a single location but rather to access to skilled, loyal, and affordable talent
How Silicon Valley’s abundance of opportunities creates a "mercenary” hiring culture, making employee retention difficult
The key differences between building in New York vs. Silicon Valley, including financial management and access to venture capital

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