According to research from Fundera, the difference between the most popular states for startups and the most successful states for startups varies substantially. In fact, in the list of the top five most popular and most successful states for startups, only one state made an appearance on both. And it’s not one you would expect.

Everything’s Bigger

Texas is the third most popular state for startups and the fourth most successful, with an average annual revenue of $27.6 million for local companies. Massachusetts took first place with $58.9 million, with Arizona, Georgia, and Utah rounding out the top five. You could probably guess the most popular states for startups, as common tech hubs like California, New York, Florida, and Colorado made the top five. Surprise.

Popularity vs. Success

So where does this discrepancy come from? The simple answer is that saturation leads to failure. With thousands of companies being launched in Silicon Valley and New York on a daily basis, capital is hard to come by, making success a fleeting dream. However, in hubs like Boston, Phoenix, and Atlanta, the market is less competitive resulting in more successful companies. The more complex answer is that making it in New York or San Francisco is more impressive than anywhere else. Having the highest annual revenue in Utah is small potatoes compared to the tech giants raking in billions of dollars. And while aggressive ambition can be the enemy of budding entrepreneurs, it’s what makes the pursuit that much more noble. Check out the rest of the report here and get acquainted with the top five states on both these lists to get a better idea of the startup ecosystem in the US.

Read more about startup ecosystems around the US on Tech.Co

5 Most Successful US States for Small Businesses - 53