Discover the Top 10 States for Launching Your Startup: Where Entrepreneurs Thrive!

Starting a business can be an exciting yet challenging journey. With over 21 million new business applications filed in the last four years, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, it's crucial to choose the right location for your entrepreneurial venture. Some states provide better opportunities than others, and data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau helps identify these hotspots.

Top Cities for Startups

Cities like San Francisco, New York City, Mountain View, Boston, Redwood City, and Palo Alto are recognized as startup giants. Interestingly, while California boasts a high number of startups (179,415), it ranks only 10th for startup opportunities due to a 10-year survival rate of just 35%.

Startup Opportunity Score

To determine the best states for startups, researchers calculated a startup opportunity score based on the total number of startups, the number of startups per 100,000 people, and their 10-year survival rates.

Best States for Startups

1. Montana
   • Total startups: 4,800
   • Startups per 100,000: 422
   • 10-year survival rate: 41%
   • Opportunity score: 9.55
     
     Bozeman, Montana. Credit: Getty Images

2. Oregon
   • Total startups: 15,149
   • Startups per 100,000: 355
   • 10-year survival rate: 36.4%
   • Opportunity score: 8.00

3. Nevada
   • Total startups: 12,034
   • Startups per 100,000: 368
   • 10-year survival rate: 33.5%
   • Opportunity score: 7.20

4. Utah
   • Total startups: 13,384
   • Startups per 100,000: 382
   • 10-year survival rate: 35%
   • Opportunity score: 7.15
     
     Salt Lake City, Utah. Credit: Getty Images

5. Florida
   • Total startups: 86,692
   • Startups per 100,000: 371
   • 10-year survival rate: 34.7%
   • Opportunity score: 7.10

6. Wyoming
   • Total startups: 2,782
   • Startups per 100,000: 473
   • 10-year survival rate: 34.5%
   • Opportunity score: 7.10

7. Idaho
   • Total startups: 8,548
   • Startups per 100,000: 427
   • 10-year survival rate: 33.1%
   • Opportunity score: 7.05
     
     Boise, Idaho. Credit: Getty Images

8. Delaware
   • Total startups: 3,565
   • Startups per 100,000: 339
   • 10-year survival rate: 32.8%
   • Opportunity score: 7.00

9. Vermont
   • Total startups: 2,843
   • Startups per 100,000: 438
   • 10-year survival rate: 37%
   • Opportunity score: 6.85

10. California
    • Total startups: 179,415
    • Startups per 100,000: 455
    • 10-year survival rate: 35%
    • Opportunity score: 6.25
      
      San Francisco, California. Credit: Getty Images

Explore the full study for more insights into where to best launch your startup.