Mohammed Bedrouni’s Post

New Zealand's IT Scene: A Decade Later Over ten years ago, fresh off the boat in New Zealand, I was chatting with a mate who swore the place would be a magnet for IT hotshots. Picture this: stunning scenery, top-notch infrastructure, a brainy bunch, and a developed nation to boot. Plus, IT folks can work from anywhere, so why wouldn't tech whizzes flock here? Fast forward a dozen years, and things haven't exactly gone as planned. Sure, Microsoft set up a data centre, and a couple of tech bigwigs bought swanky digs in Queenstown. But that's about it. Instead, we're seeing a brain drain: talented locals heading for greener pastures in Australia and the UK, with the superstars setting their sights on the US. Our initial thinking seems way off. Silicon Valley isn't just about fancy buildings and brainiacs. It's about being in the right place at the right time, with its finger on the pulse of the market. Stuck way out here, New Zealand is at a major disadvantage – just keeping up with what the market wants is a struggle.

Phoenix, The Virtuoso Crafting Arizona into a Tech Powerhouse! Arizona, once known for its natural beauty, is now a blooming tech garden, a transformation largely shepherded by the forward-thinking leaders of Phoenix. Like a master conductor, they've orchestrated an atmosphere ripe for innovation and growth, successfully enticing both tech titans and fledgling startups alike to call this landscape home. They've turned Arizona into more than a desert – it's a fertile ground for revolutionary tech research and avant-garde startups. Jobs are sprouting up like cacti after a desert rain, powering our economy with gusts of growth. Our tech scene isn't merely surviving - it's thriving! So, let's take a moment to applaud the strategic symphony performed by Phoenix's leaders that's spotlighting Arizona on the world map for technological ingenuity. Continue this conversation and let’s build upon this momentum, shaping the future narrative of Arizona as we know it. Are you in?

Austin, Texas, you’ve given me so much! A beautiful city, incredible and welcoming people, extraordinary food, perfect weather, and endless opportunities. Not to mention, your fashion style rocks! 🤠On top of all these personal joys, the prominence of business and tech here is undeniable. Austin is rapidly becoming a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, attracting a vibrant community of tech enthusiasts and business professionals. The fusion of a strong cultural identity with a forward-looking business and technological landscape makes me believe in an incredible future for this city. Austin, you’re not just a place to live; you’re a place to thrive! #AustinTexas #InnovationHub #TechCommunity #BusinessGrowth #FutureForward

Thinking about launching a tech business in Essex? 🤔 Get inspiration by exploring the Ambitious Essex Tech 50 – a list showcasing the most innovative tech businesses in our county! Check out the list here: https://lnkd.in/eiCW8yws #EssexHomeOfInnovation

One of BESydney’s inspiring #Ambassadors, Sally-Ann Williams FTSE, CEO of Cicada Innovations at Tech Central Sydney recently said, “If we are to solve the really serious problems facing the world, they will be solved by people doing #business, #researching, #working and #investing together. Ultimately, it’s people who drive innovation and transformative change, both in Sydney and around the world.”   Tech Central is an #inclusive, #welcoming, #sustainable and #creative #innovation district in the heart of #Sydney as per Tech Central’s inaugural CEO, Annie Parker’s vision.   Did you know: 👨💻 Tech Central is ranked the #1 tech startup ecosystem in the Southern Hemisphere 💰 60% of Australia’s Fintechs are based in Tech Central 👩🎓 3 top 100 globally ranked universities are in Sydney 🌟 $45B+ annual quantum turnover by 2024 (Australia)   Sydney has unique credentials in #Tech & Innovation - meet the people, discover the place and find your purpose for business events. #ChangeStartsHere. Watch our new Tech Central video to hear from local visionaries https://lnkd.in/gEgcec_G and download our new Tech & Innovation ebook here to find our more about Sydney’s Tech & Innovation credentials https://lnkd.in/grei25xB.   Ingrid Marsh, Liam Ridgeway, Amy Glancey, Martin Green, SpeeDx Pty Ltd, Atlassian, CSIRO's Data61, Afterpay, SafetyCulture, Stone & Chalk Investment NSW   #meetinSydney #itsgottobeSydney

The selection of former venture capitalist J.D. Vance as the Republican vice-presidential nominee is a sign that Silicon Valley is no longer the liberal stronghold it once was. A cadre of powerful venture capitalists and tech elites are pouring tens of millions of dollars to elect Donald Trump this November – a stance that would have been shocking back in 2016. Experts say tech executives want some of the same things other business elites want from politicians: less regulation, lower taxes, and more government contracts. We’ll talk about the key players shifting Silicon Valley to the right, who they are supporting, and why. https://lnkd.in/dDgJBJqG

Here’s my conversation with Bradley Tusk, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Tusk Venture Partners and Founder of Tusk Strategies. In our conversation, we talk about politics, ketamine, Uber, mobile voting, and much more. https://lnkd.in/eHnWAPsF

🚨 Why Do Big Companies Always Have Their Get-Togethers in California? 🌴 Hey everyone, I've been noticing a trend that's got me scratching my head. It seems like every major company get-together, conference, and event is always in California. Don't get me wrong, California is great—beautiful weather, scenic views, and an undeniable tech hub. But isn't it time we spread the love across the rest of the USA? - Here are a few reasons why we should consider other states: Diverse Locations: From the vibrant city life in New York to the breathtaking landscapes in Colorado and the rich history in the South, the US is full of amazing places that deserve the spotlight. Economic Boost: Hosting big events in different states can significantly boost local economies. Think of the jobs created and the local businesses that would benefit! Accessibility: Not everyone finds it easy or affordable to travel to the West Coast. Choosing central locations could make it easier for more people to attend. Showcasing Innovation Everywhere: Tech, creativity, and innovation aren't limited to Silicon Valley. There's groundbreaking work happening in Austin, Denver, Michigan and beyond! So, to all the big companies out there, let's mix it up! Let's explore and invest in the incredible diversity our country has to offer. What do you all think? Where would you like to see the next big company event? #DiversifyEvents #ExploreAmerica #BeyondCalifornia #EconomicBoost #InnovationEverywhere #Technology #Management #Startups

We had a wonderful Tuesday morning in Toronto to kick off our time at Collision Conf On the rainiest of mornings that sent the city into gridlock and Uber surges into the 3x, ~30 women still managed to join us for a delicious breakfast spread at The Drake Hotel, Hilton Worldwide. The theme of the day was the state of B2B investing, which we kicked off with a conversation with Lucija Reic, startup ecosystem lead at Infobip — our excellent partners for the event. She helped us set the scene before we opened it up to the group for a roundtable discussion. Some of my key takeaways: 🍁 The Toronto tech scene is more risk averse than its New York counterpart. 🍁 Lots of investors here want a lot more proof and validation and no one wants to lead. There seems to be a magic number of $1m CAD before investors will cut a cheque. 🍁 More and more prominent startups and talent are looking to the US for money. But there's a drive to keep talent here. 🍁 There's a big push for more innovation in the city — a rise in accelerators, government support and funds looking at the city. 🍁 The city needs more stuff like WVC:E! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us. And a massive thank you to Infobip and Lucija Reic.

🚨Did you know? J.D. Vance, Trump's VP pick, has deep Silicon Valley roots!🔌📈 #TechNews #SiliconValley 🌟Summary: Former President Donald Trump announced Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his Vice Presidential candidate for the 2024 elections. Vance, acclaimed for his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” has a substantial background in venture capitalism, significantly influencing his career before his political tenure in the U.S. Senate. 💡Insights: Vance's experience in tech could bring a unique perspective to the campaign, potentially shaping policies favoring innovation and entrepreneurship. How might this influence the tech industry and political landscape? 🙋♂️🙋♀️What are your thoughts on politicians with tech backgrounds entering high office? Could this blur lines or bridge gaps? Share below! 👉Read more: [insert link here] 👍 or 👎? Let’s discuss! #Politics #TechPolicy #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #2024Election #JDVance