First published 2013
Silicon Valley continues expanding while global economies stagnate and banks collapse. Deborah Perry Piscione examines why this region attracts more than 100 new incubators in just two years and commands 40 percent of American venture capital compared to New York's mere 10 percent. She investigates the Valley's unusual tolerance for risk and discovers how innovation flourishes despite California's business-hostile regulations. Through conversations with investors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, plus detailed studies of companies like Google and PayPal, Piscione uncovers the cultural forces driving this economic powerhouse. The book demonstrates how meritocracy shapes daily operations and explains why traditional business wisdom fails to capture the Valley's success. Piscione argues that other regions and industries can adopt these principles to revitalize their own economies. The book provides practical lessons for reforming communities from Washington DC to Wall Street.
Genres: business, economics, non-fiction, entrepreneurship
Vibes: fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: meritocracy, reform
Setting: Silicon Valley, California, Washington DC, Wall Street
Period: 21st-century
256 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press