Sitting at an overcrowded 49th parallel I’m reminded of the caffeine peddling, downward dog posing, juice truck cleansing, pot puffing and vitamin popping stereotype that marks the quintessential Vancouverite.

Granted few individuals are engaging in all of these activities regularly, or simultaneously for that matter. But typecasts exist for a reason, and I can’t help but smile as the reputation might be ascribed to much more harmful behaviour. Guns anyone?

On this wet Saturday afternoon (wait it’s more like early evening), I’m somewhat baffled to witness so much coffee being consumed and with such vigour. I envisage it comparable to the euphoric atmosphere when prohibition was finally lifted in 1933. Stereotypes aside, something wonderful has been happening in this city besides its artisanal movement. Startups.

Silicon Spreading

First let me back up and explain how I came to have these newfound lenses for which to see my hometown anew. Just before the turn of the century, I moved to San Francisco. I was drawn to the California lifestyle as well as the pulsating energy of the 7 and a half-mile long city. I was there during the Dot.com boom and bust which today feels similar but very different. If by chance you’re wondering if we might be back in similar shoes, you should read this.

After the implosion, I migrated like many to Los Angeles. Although only there for a short time, what was then still a town for Hollywood dreams has now come to include Silicon fantasies. L.A. has seen tremendous growth in the startup arena, so much so that that the area surrounding Santa Monica labeled Silicon Beach.

Then as if by some large magnetic pull, I was drawn across the Atlantic to the old world where my grandfather was born. In London, his home was just a stone’s throw away from Brick Lane – notorious for the garment trade run by Jews. Today this area is pulsating with a new and entirely different energy. Completely transformed — it plays home to a vibrant and buzzy startup community dubbed Silicon Roundabout.

Beyond Pixels

Splitting my time now between a beer-fuelled London and a caffeine-dosed Vancouver has given me these strange hybrid googles. I had recalled friends going on about Vancouver’s brain drain and plentiful safety deposit boxes in the sky. I heard about inhabitants being viewed by outsiders as cliquey as well as the city’s provincial attitude. And I’m rather embarrassed to have believed what I heard through the grapevine without investigating myself.

Yes talent is fleeing to other cities — but many are also choosing to stay. Yes the property prices in many areas are outrageous — but East Vancouver and beyond is still affordable and also can claim to be the most diverse place in Canada and arguably the world.

Most of all, I am thrilled to see that the city has blossomed into a first-rate startup hub. It only takes one stroll down Cordova or around Mount Pixel to see that brilliant things are happening all over the city. Only two years ago the city was rated 9th in the world for startup ecosystems.

A State of Mind

Largely due to the removal of the ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ as a measuring stick has Vancouver dropped in it’s rank from 9th position. One view, OK maybe just my view, is that a disproportionate amount of West Coasters long to be in control of their destiny. Whether that be running a spin studio, working as a freelance designer, or a craft beer tour guide (again with the stereotypes) — it’s the autonomy which is the driver. A very healthy entrepreneurial spirit is evident and if we opened our view of startups to include lifestyle businesses — Vancouver is the hot ticket.

It was challenging to confront the skeptic in me that doubted the city’s startup prowess. Perhaps I just needed some time. More likely, it was just some investigating and consequently discovering spectacular folks that make it their mission to connect and cultivate the community. After many conversations — I am convinced that most have chosen to call Vancouver home for reasons stretching far beyond its beauty.

These startup stars are building out the new economy, creating jobs, promoting creativity, pushing innovation and improving the world in the process. And it’s because of them that I get to boast about where I come from.