I'm in silicon valley. True there are plenty of engineers, most you'll find are wannabes with no real skillet as an entrepreneur/startup. They just want to ride on coat tails of someone who knows what where how.

Most capable ppl with startup ambitions already have their connections.

You are far better just soliciting for partners on HN or other startup sites of which there are plenty with plenty also looking to partners.

Hate to sound cynical and/or degrading but moat I've met through meetups and alike groups are all wannabes.

However like anywhere else, there are still plenty like myself who wants to get started on that endeavor too.

I've worked for all the FANNG+M and find all capable ppl have their contacts they trust

The only time you maybe be successful is if you are already funded.

But there is one advantage of doing all that in the Valley; funding is easy. Almost every serious meetups have someone in VC world scouting.

Oh also lawyers who have been there done that to setup you up with term sheets and sound contracts that's been proven.

Reddit is also someone you can maybe find someone.

btw the "it" place(s) to be is Palo Alto and SF.

It as mentioned before breaking in and getting noticed is impossible unless you already got in roads with connected ppl.

Ol adage: It's WHO you know not WHAT you know.