Habibi, Come to San Francisco (To Build)
Alright, my friend, let’s have a real talk about San Francisco. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies - trust me, the city’s got its fair share of gnarly corners. Homelessness? It’s real, and it can punch you in the gut when you see people struggling on the sidewalks. Sky-high rents? Yeah, that means you might be living in a shoebox for way more than you’d pay anywhere else.
But here’s the wild twist: this city might be the single best place on Earth to take your big idea and turn it into something world-changing. It’s gritty, it’s chaotic, and it’s also downright magical when you’re in the thick of building something that matters.
I moved to San Francisco from Sri Lanka with one massive dream: to build an AI startup. Not just any AI company, but one that transforms how we do things for better. My logic was simple: AI is the new industrial revolution, the next gold rush, and I wanted in while there was still gold to mine.
Because if you’re going to build a rocket ship, you go to NASA, right?
Why SF? Let’s Break It Down
1. Access to Top Talent
Picture a city overflowing with software engineers, data scientists, UX designers, brand wizards, and growth hackers - every specialized skill you could need, all packed into 47 square miles. The people you meet here are not just “good at their jobs”; they’re borderline obsessed with pushing boundaries. That obsession rubs off.
And here’s the kicker: it’s not just about skill. It’s also about mindset. People come to SF hungry and humble, ready to devour a challenge. You feel that energy daily. It’s the kind of environment where, if you say, “I want to build the most advanced AI support system in existence,” the response isn’t “Wow, that’s too ambitious.” It’s more like, “Awesome, I know someone who can help with that. Let’s grab coffee tomorrow.”
2. Opportunities On Every Corner
Seriously, you can’t walk three blocks here without bumping into someone who could alter your entire trajectory. A random chat in a coffee shop can turn into a pitch meeting with an angel investor. A friend of a friend you meet at a hackathon might become your next cofounder or your mentor. The entire city is wired for serendipity - those accidental collisions that lead to game-changing insights or partnerships.
And you’d be shocked at how open people are. Ask for a quick Zoom chat, and they often say, “Sure, let’s talk.” Need feedback on your pitch deck? Someone’s always ready to rip it apart (in a good way) and make it stronger. People here love to share. The culture is built on the idea that when one person succeeds, it lifts everyone else. It’s kind of an unspoken rule: pay it forward, because someone once did the same for you.
3. The Perfect Testing Ground
Early adopters abound in SF. People here race to try the newest app, the next gadget, the fresh-from-the-lab AI tool. You get immediate, raw feedback. These early adopters will tell you exactly what’s clunky, what’s slow, what’s confusing. Painful? Sometimes. Invaluable? Absolutely. If your product can survive the picky, tech-savvy crowd in San Francisco, chances are it’ll thrive anywhere else.
Case in point: our in-app support bot at Marketrix.ai. We wanted folks to talk to it and feel like they were talking to a knowledgeable team member, not a robotic answering machine. And guess what? People here tested it, gave us direct, unfiltered opinions, and helped us refine it until it was actually fun to use.
The Juxtaposition: SF’s Challenges Are Real
Let’s keep it 100: San Francisco can sometimes look like a dystopian movie set. You’ve probably heard the horror stories. If you stroll through the Tenderloin, you’ll see people battling real demons: addiction, mental health struggles, poverty. It’s heartbreaking. It can shake you to your core when you first arrive - and it should. This city isn’t perfect. It’s not a glittering utopia of Teslas and tech moguls. It’s a place where you’ll see the widest spectrum of human experiences.
But I believe the tension here - the undeniable friction between extreme wealth and dire need - is part of what fuels the city’s innovative spirit. When you’re constantly confronted with problems, you can’t help but try to solve them. Sure, that means there’s competition, but it also means there’s a shared drive to figure stuff out. There’s a certain urgency in SF: the idea that if you can build something to fix an issue, you better get on it right now.
My Path: Sri Lanka to SF
I started with a B1/B2 visa - a fancy way of saying I was basically a tourist with big dreams. Navigating visas in the U.S. is like playing a game of 4D chess. But the city’s hustle is contagious, and I managed to level up to an O1 visa. That switch was everything. It let me focus 100% on building Marketrix.ai. To an outsider, it might look like a simple checkbox, but anyone who’s battled the immigration system knows it’s a beast of forms, fees, and constant waiting. Now I’m pushing towards the green card.
Yet the camaraderie of other immigrant founders in SF was incredible. I’d meet folks from Brazil, India, Turkey - everywhere - who all had war stories about paperwork and interviews. We’d share tips on good immigration lawyers, mention which coworking spaces had free beer on tap, and exchange contacts who might be potential investors. That sense of “we’re in this together” is something I haven’t found anywhere else.
The Highs and Lows of Building in SF
The Good Stuff:
Networking that Works Overtime: Think of SF as a real-world LinkedIn on steroids. Every conversation could be your next opportunity.
Events for Days: There’s always a pitch night, a startup crawl, or a hackathon. If you put yourself out there, doors will open.
Diversity of Perspectives: People flock to SF from every corner of the globe, each bringing unique insights. That melting pot of ideas? Priceless.
The Tough Stuff:
Cost of Living is Wild: A dingy studio can cost as much as a mansion in other parts of the country. You’ll learn to budget or end up living off ramen.
Intense Competition: Everyone here has a dream, a pitch deck, or a brand-new prototype. To stand out, you’ve got to hustle like your life depends on it.
Mental Strain: With all the hype, it’s easy to start thinking you’re not doing enough. Comparing yourself to the person who just raised $10 million can kill your motivation if you let it.
The Surprises:
A Culture of Sharing: For all the competition, the community vibe is strong. People genuinely root for each other’s success, because they know the grind.
Constant Inspiration: Sometimes, just walking along the Embarcadero or gazing at the Golden Gate Bridge after a brutal day is enough to rekindle the fire inside you.
My Advice to Aspiring Founders
Jump Before You’re Ready: If you’ve got a spark of an idea, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start now. You’ll figure out the bumps along the way.
Put Your People First: Your network is your net worth - yeah, it’s cliché, but it’s also true. Build real relationships, not just LinkedIn connections. Offer help, seek advice, trade war stories.
Stay In the Fight: You’ll face a hundred “No” responses before you get that glorious “Yes.” Every stumble is a chance to refine your pitch, your product, or your perspective.
Self-Care Isn’t Optional: Burnout is a silent killer in this city. Make sure you have at least one hobby that has nothing to do with your startup. Go for a hike, learn to cook, have a movie night with friends - whatever recharges you.
Building Yourself While Building Your Company
I often tell people: “I came here to build a company, but I’m also building a better version of me.” This city forces you to level up. You can’t sit still when everyone around you is racing ahead with new ideas, new prototypes, and new partnerships. And that’s the beauty: in challenging you, San Francisco helps you evolve into someone you probably wouldn’t become if you stayed in a comfort zone.
So, yeah, it’s not an easy place. But if you’re up for the challenge - if you’re game to push yourself, test your boundaries, and dive headfirst into the unknown - San Francisco might just be your launching pad. The opportunities, the people, the collaborations, the “aha!” moments - they’re all here, hidden in plain sight, waiting for you to show up and say, “Let’s do this.”
Ready to Make the Leap?
If you’re thinking about taking the plunge - whether it’s to start an AI company, a biotech venture, or a tiny side hustle that you think could someday change the world - consider SF. But come prepared:
Budget Wisely: Plan for high rents and be ready to get scrappy.
Do Your Homework on Visas (If You Need One): Seek out mentors who’ve been through it. There’s a wealth of knowledge in the community.
Show Up Everywhere: Attend meetups, pitch nights, startup mixers. Keep an open mind. Opportunity doesn’t always knock politely; sometimes it bumps into you in line for coffee.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask: Need an intro to a VC? Need feedback on your pitch deck? Ask. The worst you’ll hear is “No,” and that’s no biggie.
Ultimately, this city is both a battleground and a playground. It tests you relentlessly, but it also rewards you with experiences and connections that are hard to replicate anywhere else. If you’re craving that kind of environment - one that can forge you into a better founder and a more resilient human - then, habibi, San Francisco is calling your name.
If you want to talk more - visa stuff, fundraising tips, or just some moral support - my inbox is open. I’ve been through the wringer, and I’m all for helping the next person who’s about to dive in.
Email: irosha at marketrix dot ai
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/iroshads/
Website: irosha.com
So yeah, the city’s got rough edges. But behind all that chaos? There’s a spark of magic. There’s opportunity on every street. And if you’re ready to hustle, build, and dream big, there’s no better place to be. Come for the challenge, stay for the incredible journey. Because who knows? You might just build something that makes the world stop and take notice. Get out here and unleash that genius - it’s waiting.