But after doing some research, they found San Diego was emerging as a wireless research center and decided to move here. Wireless Facilities quickly established local roots, bringing on its board wireless experts such as Anthony Acampora, director of UCSD's Center for Wireless Communications. Continued strong growth in the wireless telecom arena is driving the numbers. In his former role as marketing director for the high-tech law firm of Cooley Godward, Krenn saw the genesis and growth of many local technology companies firsthand. Both Krenn and San Diego Mayor Susan Golding say an increase in local venture capital firms in recent years also fueled the trend.
Venture capital is the lifeblood of new technology companies.
Many firms prefer to invest close to their offices, so they can keep constant tabs on how their companies are doing. While the San Francisco Bay Area is still the undisputed king of venture capital, San Diego now has a very respectable venture presence. In a few cases, Krenn says he's heard anecdotal evidence that some people are deliberately choosing San Diego over the Bay Area because of San Diego's superior quality of life. In fact, of the eight major biotech regions nationwide, San Diego ranked first in quality of life in a study released last month by the California Healthcare Institute. The study focused on the Bay Area's biotech industry, but compared it with seven other regions in their quality of local research, accessibility to financing, labor pool quality, quality of life and infrastructure.