Once a blue-collar outpost, Seattle, home to Microsoft, Amazon, and
hundreds of startups, transformed into one of the world's major
innovation hubs in less than twenty years. As other cities try to solve
the riddle of creating vibrant economies, many have looked to Seattle as
a model for tech-driven urban renaissance. However, that success comes
with skyrocketing housing costs, increasing homelessness, public safety
concerns, persistent racial inequality, and a widening gap between the
haves and have-nots. Against that backdrop, big tech has become a
popular target.
Tom Alberg, a venture capitalist who was one of the first investors in
Amazon, draws on his experience in Seattle's tech boom to offer a vision
for how cities and businesses can build a brighter future together. He
explores ways that cities can soar to prosperity by creating the
conditions that encourage innovation. Like flywheels, livable cities
generate momentum by drawing creative citizens who launch businesses.
Success attracts more talent, energizing local economies and
accelerating further innovation. Alberg emphasizes the importance of
city governments and tech companies partnering to address civic
challenges. He reflects on why the benefits of the tech boom have not
been distributed equally and what business and government leaders must
do differently to ensure inclusive growth. The book also examines
success stories from smaller cities and their lessons for other
up-and-coming tech hubs. Demonstrating the need for innovative thinking
that encourages livability alongside economic growth, Flywheels is
timely reading for everyone from mayors to business leaders to engaged
citizens.
