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however, once a consumer web start-up in boston does get some initial traction and raise money, it has incredible access to talent. gemvara.com and SCVNGR are two great examples. they've been able to use the dearth of consumer web investments in boston to their advantage and recruit all this great young talent, and not needing to fight with 10 hot competitors to retain them.

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The problem here is that if you really want to work in a company like that and you're young, you probably still are going to try to move out West (at least this is what I did).

It's possible there is somewhat of a brain drain occurring due to the lack of startups from East to West, I don't really know of a lot of people that have moved the reverse.

I went to Northeastern University and the coop program is great, but it always seemed like established companies (I worked for 1 startup which was an amazing experience, and 2 defense contractors) were a lot more aggressive about hitting them up for talent instead of startups (which could have taken advantage of young, cheap, aggressive engineers).

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