We haven’t really launched- but here’s a sneak peek

Here’s the deal:

There is Silicon Valley.

Then there is everywhere else.  Sorry, then there is New York (if you’re into that sort of thing), and  then there’s everyone else in “Flyover Country”.  I lived for a short time in San Francisco and I loved it out there.  And while I was there I kept saying to myself the same thing I have heard over and over and over: “Chicago should be like this.”  But really, I could also substitute the word “Chicago” with Minneapolis, Kansas City, St. Louis, Madison, Youngstown, Nashville….the list goes on and on because there are start-ups and brilliant entrepreneurs working on the future right now and their stories need to be told.

Many people I have crossed paths with agree with me but at the same time bemoan the fact that the start-up scene is so fractured where they live.  (I’ll post about that another time).

At the Big Omaha conference, Foursquare founder Dennis Crowley tweeted, “About to address Flyover Country, this should be interesting” as if us rubes to the right of the West Coast can’t wait to hear about them fancy Interwebs all the cool kids are talking about.  In his defense he apologized (after a lot of razzing) but the point is clear: If you live outside Silicon Valley you are outside the bubble to which I say, “Not only are we outside the bubble we also don’t have homeless people “relieving” themselves on the front porch!” (Sorry, San Francisco flash back).

I have founded Flyover Geeks to provide Flyover Geeks everywhere with a central home on the web (and yes, if you’re reading this you are one)- here you’re going to find articles about the best and brightest of the start-up scene along with anything else we deem worthy of mention.  You’ll find videos, articles and the occassional picture of me (Yes, it’s true. Be still your hearts).  To help get the message out about our site, I am hosting meet-up events in cities all over Flyover Geeks country starting with our official launch party August 5th.  (Ticket information in the next post). After Chicago it’s off to Minneapolis, Kansas City and St. Louis followed by many more- 2-3 per month.

Flyover Geeks has been founded precisely because of the attitudes of the Valley elite such as Michael Arrington of TechCrunch who (besides being a hero of mine) writes things like this: “As far as I’m concerned Chicago is just a place that your flights get delayed overnight because of the horrendous weather eight months out of the year”

I’m looking forward to meeting you all in person soon and telling your stories.

Oh, and Mike Arrington?

Game on.

Edward Domain