Tech hopefuls are listing San Francisco in their online bios — even if they don't live there

In a striking trend, tech enthusiasts are increasingly listing San Francisco in their online bios—even if they aren't residing there. This phenomenon has been observed among young entrepreneurs and startup founders who see the Bay Area as a vital connection to investors and the broader tech community. Take 18-year-old Lance Yan, a student from the University of Waterloo, who recently updated his profile on X to reflect a location of "Waterloo | SF." Yan recently visited San Francisco to secure funding for his AI startup, Clice. He explained that associating with San Francisco's startup culture can significantly impact fundraising efforts. "If a venture capitalist sees you’re based in SF, they might be more inclined to meet you in person, making negotiations smoother," he noted. As investment in AI continues to surge, many tech hopefuls are using their online presence to align themselves with San Francisco's reputation. This digital shift allows them to network and attract potential backers more effectively. Business Insider spoke with various tech professionals about the growing trend of listing San Francisco as a location to gain closer ties to the city’s vibrant tech ecosystem. Cathleen Turner, a 35-year-old founder of Margin, highlighted this trend when she shared that her profile indicates both Los Angeles and San Francisco. After spending a month in the Bay Area, she is contemplating a permanent move, emphasizing that many local investors tend to overlook those not physically present in the city. San Francisco's tech scene is reviving, with a booming real estate market and increasing job opportunities, particularly in the AI sector. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang recently declared that the city is "back," further fueling its allure. Toki Hossain, a 28-year-old developer relations professional from Vancouver, noted that many people alter their online locations after just a single visit to San Francisco. He himself contemplated changing his profile ahead of a recent trip, reflecting the strong draw the city holds. Others, like 24-year-old Seth Setse, who lives in San Francisco, have observed a trend among younger users on X. College interns, eager to connect with the local tech community, often change their bios to list San Francisco as their home, hoping to gain visibility and engagement on tech platforms. Despite some negative sentiments towards San Francisco during the pandemic, as some tech leaders relocated to cities like Austin or Miami, there is a resurgence of interest. For instance, 27-year-old Antonio Song, founder of Snoofer, admitted to experiencing "FOMO" after seeing the vibrant discussions online. Interestingly, many of those adopting San Francisco as an online locale hail from the University of Waterloo, which has a strong connection to Silicon Valley through its co-op program. A 2014 study revealed that Waterloo students ranked third in hiring for Silicon Valley engineering jobs. Students like Haokun Qin have observed a culture at Waterloo where listing San Francisco in bios is common, driven by aspirations for tech success. Finally, Caleb Jephuneh, a 24-year-old founder from Nairobi, Kenya, expressed that by stating his intention to move to Silicon Valley in 2025, he hopes to attract support from those who can help him realize his dream. This digital manifestation of ambition showcases how the allure of San Francisco continues to shape the narratives of aspiring tech entrepreneurs worldwide.