I am quite surprised by this post and the majority of recommendations. I currently run a startup in the UK, the scene is quite frankly awful, staffing costs in the UK are possibly the highest around.
You need to ask yourself if your possible employees can count leading web/software firms in their CV as more than likely in the US, no is the answer.
We have had extremely bad experiences with UK firms and now outsource all our IT projects via Guru/elance to Eastern European countries like Slovenia and further afield to Kenya (fast becoming a call centre and data alternative to India) and India.itself. The UK currently is in a financial crisis, we are experiencing a hard knock on from the US housing crisis and our inflation is currently at around 3.8% which is well above average. Additionally you will find it shocking to note the Petrol prices here are near on the highest in the world - approx £5.42 per gallon at the moment (approx $11) an earlier comment about EU countries is very viable and moving around between countries is relatively easy within the EU.
From a startup scene perspective there are little in the way of the numerous startup meets and socials I see startups being able to attend in San Fransisco. There just isnt a central hub as you have in the US for technology yet, maybe in 10 years there will be but for now its diluted.
Personally I know of the beauty and appeal of New Zealand and understand the benefits but for the pure weather, excellent salaries and quality of life Australia would be my preferred choice. Suffice to say I have been looking at moving to the US for the reason of the benefits it would bring a new startup and the networking facilities. The Venture Capital reach alone is staggering.
Hope this helps. Additionally to note, setting up a company in the UK will require a UK bank account which in turn requires a permanant address and credit checks etc.
You need to ask yourself if your possible employees can count leading web/software firms in their CV as more than likely in the US, no is the answer.
We have had extremely bad experiences with UK firms and now outsource all our IT projects via Guru/elance to Eastern European countries like Slovenia and further afield to Kenya (fast becoming a call centre and data alternative to India) and India.itself. The UK currently is in a financial crisis, we are experiencing a hard knock on from the US housing crisis and our inflation is currently at around 3.8% which is well above average. Additionally you will find it shocking to note the Petrol prices here are near on the highest in the world - approx £5.42 per gallon at the moment (approx $11) an earlier comment about EU countries is very viable and moving around between countries is relatively easy within the EU.
From a startup scene perspective there are little in the way of the numerous startup meets and socials I see startups being able to attend in San Fransisco. There just isnt a central hub as you have in the US for technology yet, maybe in 10 years there will be but for now its diluted.
Personally I know of the beauty and appeal of New Zealand and understand the benefits but for the pure weather, excellent salaries and quality of life Australia would be my preferred choice. Suffice to say I have been looking at moving to the US for the reason of the benefits it would bring a new startup and the networking facilities. The Venture Capital reach alone is staggering.
Hope this helps. Additionally to note, setting up a company in the UK will require a UK bank account which in turn requires a permanant address and credit checks etc.