San Jose, CA, is a dense city with more than one million people packed within 180 square miles of space. It’s the cultural and spiritual heart of Silicon Valley, the startup company hub that fueled some of the world’s most impactful innovations.
There are 22 million square feet of office space for rent in San Jose, representing a third of the total rental office space in Silicon Valley. You may think it’s easy to find one, but each square inch of space in the city is a precious commodity. There is a reason why San Jose made the list of the most expensive cities in America.
So, why should you move your startup to San Jose when it’s one of the most expensive areas around? Here are some of the reasons you should consider:
1. A pool of talent:
Silicon Valley is the technological hub of America. The paths of talented and ambitious workers all converge here. They are looking for opportunities to showcase their skills. Whether or not you’re hiring regular employees or looking to outsource tasks to qualified freelancers, being in the Valley puts you in the center of activity.
2. Presence of investors:
In the same vein, Silicon Valley also attracts investors who are looking to dip their hands into the next best thing. Silicon Valley is to tech what Hollywood is to movies. There is also plenty of angel investors who will invest in your company for a share of stock. It may seem like a hefty price but you should remember that they are also taking a huge risk.
3. Big techs have headquarters here:
Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Snapchat all have offices here. Moreover, they are always on the search for innovations and collaborations. These companies are investing in small startups when they see the products that they can leverage. If you have the right product, it would be easy to attract the A-listers to invest in your company.
4. Mature ecosystem:
The Valley is geared toward helping startups grow their business. It is a well-oiled machine that makes it easier for you to determine when to come in. If you want to learn more, you have a higher likelihood of finding a mentor here. All around San Jose, CA, you will find countless symposiums, workshops, and conventions that are designed to improve your knowledge. You would not have the same opportunity elsewhere.
However, there is still that elephant in the room—how to address the office space for rent in San Jose. You can try to share an area with an existing tenant to save on cost. The commercial sublease industry is growing in San Jose, according to the report. About a third of the total office vacancies in the city are for sublease space.
The one downside of sharing an office space is if you end up not liking the other tenant. Indeed, it would be a struggle to get out of bed when you think about running into them again when you go to work today. But you can minimize the risk with the right agent. There are also websites like Office Finder that can help match you with a knowledgeable real estate agent who can tick all the items in your criteria.