“If you were to get rid of all the autism genetics, there would be no more Silicon Valley.” – Temple Grandin

Many countries, cities, and institutions have tried to replicate Silicon Valley as the heart of innovation, tried to build the same dynamic tech startup ecosystem, and many have failed.

Well, a similar replication surely isn’t possible. There are many X-factors that have made Silicon Valley a perfect place for engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators; from the warm weather of California that encourages everyday’s optimism, to its historical bonus as an unpopulated land at the end of World War II, making it a destination for immigrants back then.

Despite the impossible attempts to replicate these uncontrollable factors of “luck”, there is something we can always try to adapt: the culture and the people.

Tolerance of Failure

The cliche that we often hear of why Silicon Valley is Silicon Valley is its tolerance of failure. And indeed, people all over the world–with its motivational quotes–live up to this cliche that failures are okay, that failures are learning experiences. But in Silicon Valley, failure is not just tolerated, it is encouraged.

Baca juga: Stanford University Sebagai Jantung Silicon Valley

Imagine a place–a playground–where all you need is a trial and error mentality. No one can judge you. Not your killer teacher. Not your smug friends. No one.

The Nerds + The Rich Guys = Ta Da!

Aside from this “tolerance to failure” culture, one significant determinant of Silicon Valley’s awesomeness is the talent diversity, which results in dynamic collaboration.

There are two first-class universities in and near Silicon Valley: Stanford and UC Berkeley. Imagine the pool of talent graduating from these two prestigious universities. Academics, professionals, and entrepreneurs work side by side to create and execute out-of-the-box ideas, to change the world.

But brilliance means nothing without money. This is when the rich guys enter the formula. Fortunately, San Fransisco Bay Area–where Silicon Valley is located–consists of liveable cities where the (also nerdy) rich guys want to live. So a place full of nerds without the rich guys won’t work, and vice versa.

A Town with Personality

This proposition came to me after reading Paul Graham’s–the co-founder of Y-combinator– writing in his personal site. Graham explained clearly that first-class universities surely can attract nerds, but not enough to make them stay. The university has to be in a town that is not only liveable, but also has personality.

Baca juga: Inspiration from The Valley, Amanda Surya

What Graham meant with personality is that the city has to be “hipster” enough to make the nerds stay. It must not be too glamourous like New York (because obviously nerds are not really into clubbing), but it also must not be too laid-back because nerds still love pleasures. What make the pleasures different are that they are quieter: cafes instead of clubs, book shops instead of branded fashion shops, etc.

To sum up…

So, next time a city, country, or institution try to replicate Silicon Valley, I guess they need to

1) focus on eliminating the negative, skeptical tendencies of people who do not appreciate failure; the culture must be more liberating,

2) add cool, first-class universities to the formula, and

3) build a city with hipster personality

Good luck.

Baca juga: Technology Trendsetter in The Heart of Valley

Header image credit: wired.com