9 High Tech Cities Outside Silicon Valley To Explore
California's Silicon Valley is one of the world's most famous tech hubs, but there are many up-and-coming cities investing in infrastructure, transportation, and growing startup scenes. Here are nine destinations around the world for tech-savvy travelers.
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When you hear the term "global tech hub," there are a few parts of the world that may spring to mind. California's Silicon Valley is arguably the most famous, but it's far from the only area investing in tech innovation.
In the US, there are several cities where IT professionals may think about putting down permanent roots. Considering their cost of living, job satisfaction rates, and work-life balance, these areas are the best for tech pros looking for a new place to call home.
But what if you're content with your city and job, and aren't keen on the idea of moving? What if you simply want to spend a week or two exploring one of the world's many high tech cities?
[Read: 10 Fun Gadgets You Can Use All Summer.]
Some of the world's tech hubs are better known than others. Tokyo, for example, has long had a reputation for being at the forefront of technological advancement, and it continues to prove itself an innovator with a rapidly growing startup scene.
However, many of the world's high-tech cities are still flying under the radar. Tallinn, Estonia, is one example of an area booming with tech innovation, but not the first to come to mind for most people.
There are still many summer weeks left and plenty of time to take a vacation. As you plan your summer travels, consider exploring one of these global cities, both inside and outside the US, known for their growing focus on tech innovation.
Have you traveled to any of these tech hubs? Are there any locations you would add to this list? We'd like to keep adding, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
Technology helps keep Singapore running safely and efficiently. For example, the city uses a network of sensors, GPS systems, and real-time cameras to determine where traffic jams are likely to happen. When drivers enter these parts of Singapore, they are required to pay a "congestion charge." Citizens who have trouble walking can scan RFID cards at traffic lights to get more time to cross the street.
The metropolis is trying to encourage people to rely less on cars and more on public transport. As part of a partnership with MIT, Singapore is working to develop a smarter transportation system that prioritizes public transit.
On the environmental front, Singapore also has a "Supertree Grove" that collects rain and solar energy. The multifunctional "green" structure is also a favorite among tourists. The city's not a cheap place to vacation, but visitors say they enjoy exploring Singapore's parks and architecture while benefiting from the city's low crime rate.
Hong Kong has invested in, and continues to work on, tech innovation in infrastructure, in transportation, and in driving its startup scene. In the 1990s, the city introduced the Octopus card, which can be used for all of the country's public transportation systems in addition to vending machines, parking spots, fast food restaurants, and shops.
Hong Kong has 7 million permanent residents, but registered 150,000 new business in 2011, reported TechRepublic, noting it's one of the world's most rapidly growing startup scenes. The government has established centers to facilitate the growth of innovation. In 2014, it spent $2.18 billion on innovation. Growth is also driven by cheap mobile plans and an increasing number of shared workspaces and startup incubators. It is also driven by access to an uncensored internet that includes unrestricted Google, which is not available in many major Chinese cities.
Hong Kong's focus on innovation is reflected in its famous skyline and modern architecture, both of which travelers can see when they're not exploring its streets and culture.
Tallinn, one of the most connected cities in Northern Europe, is building a reputation as an international tech hub. Most places in the Estonian city have free WiFi, and travelers will become accustomed to road signs pointing them in the direction of parks, restaurants, and hotels with free connectivity.
The birthplace of Skype was also the world's first city to hold online elections. Those who were eligible to vote could scan their smartcard on an electronic reader attached to their PC and vote via secure website. They can also use this card to pay taxes and view personal information the government has stored on them.
Some call Tallinn the Silicon Valley of the Baltic region, making it an interesting location to explore for tech-savvy travelers.
Seoul earns its place on this list because, among many reasons, it claims one of the fastest broadband speeds in the world, with four of five households paying $40 a month to run broadband internet of up to 100Mbps. Ninety percent of people own cell phones.
Innovation is core to Seoul, which files more patents than any other city and leverages both new and developed technologies to keep itself running. Tech giants such as Samsung and LG are headquartered in Seoul, which was also the first city to launch digital mobile TV broadcasting.
Seoul was ranked the World Design Capital in 2010. Innovators in the city continue to drive advancement with new architecture. Travelers will also find an active arts scene and museums to explore.
New York didn't always have a reputation as a tech-savvy metropolis, but that has quickly changed over the last couple of years as new initiatives reflected a growing focus on technology and innovation. For example, a new project called LinkNYC aims to bring free connectivity to NYC with a network of WiFi hubs placed on the streets.
The city is also home to a rapidly growing startup scene, with companies including Blue Apron, OscarHealth, and ZocDoc valued at more than $1 billion each. While it's no Silicon Valley, New York City is an exciting hub of up-and-coming tech companies and it's poised to generate a sizable chunk of income for the city over the next few years. Total spending generated by the NYC tech ecosystem amounted to $125 billion in 2013, the city reported.
When you think of international tech hubs, Tokyo is likely one of the first places to come to mind. It's the largest city in the world and one of the most advanced, with constant innovation to develop its infrastructure, mobile technology, cars, and robots.
Tokyo is home to a rapidly growing startup scene driven by big ideas and the vision of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who wants to create a country "in which all citizens are dynamically engaged." His idea is to drive investment in new tech and venture companies, support entrepreneurship at universities, and connect Japanese startups with their Silicon Valley counterparts.
We'll get a strong sense of the city's tech capabilities at the 2020 Olympic Games, where it plans to show off a bunch of technological innovations. Some of the inventions it has in the works include driverless taxis to transport athletes, facial recognition to authenticate ticket holders, and an artificial meteor shower.
Over the past few years, Berlin has become known as an international tech hub. Office space and lifestyle are both relatively affordable, leading many tech-minded pros to set up shop and explore new innovations in cloud, big data, and e-commerce. Innovators come from overseas, and from local universities and research hubs, reported Forbes.
Despite the traditionally conservative culture among young Germans entering the workforce, Berlin is expected to become home to a growing number of interesting startups and new technologies. A report titled "Berlin Builds Businesses," (PDF) compiled by McKinsey, claims Berlin could become Europe's startup hub and create 100,000 jobs by 2020. The city is also planning to further develop its infrastructure and build a new airport, and it has loosened restrictions on work permits to make those developments possible.
Tech incubators and coworking spaces are becoming more common in the US capital, which is now home to more than 1,000 tech startups with more on the way. A few years ago, the mayor announced an economic plan with the intention to build the largest tech hub on the East coast, WAMU reported.
DC has a couple of projects planned to help the tech scene grow. One of these is the Digital DC Technology Fund, which aims to grow the city's digital economy by awarding grants to young startups with growth potential. Another is an Innovation Hub built in a wing of the city's former St. Elizabeth's Hospital, which will serve as a center for research, training, and entrepreneurship.
The city often doesn't spring to mind as a tech powerhouse. Most people are more likely to associate DC with politics, an industry that differs in many ways from the rapidly growing technology industry. However, the DC tech scene is interesting because innovators can work with policymakers to transform heavily regulated areas such as healthcare, energy, and transportation.
Tech incubators and coworking spaces are becoming more common in the US capital, which is now home to more than 1,000 tech startups with more on the way. A few years ago, the mayor announced an economic plan with the intention to build the largest tech hub on the East coast, WAMU reported.
DC has a couple of projects planned to help the tech scene grow. One of these is the Digital DC Technology Fund, which aims to grow the city's digital economy by awarding grants to young startups with growth potential. Another is an Innovation Hub built in a wing of the city's former St. Elizabeth's Hospital, which will serve as a center for research, training, and entrepreneurship.
The city often doesn't spring to mind as a tech powerhouse. Most people are more likely to associate DC with politics, an industry that differs in many ways from the rapidly growing technology industry. However, the DC tech scene is interesting because innovators can work with policymakers to transform heavily regulated areas such as healthcare, energy, and transportation.
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