> There was only one rapidly developing, densely populated region with a financial hub nearby (why does the proximity of finance even matter?

Because if you want to build factories you need capital. This is not rocket science. Much easier to get a loan when there are a billion bankers across the bridge.

Yes, there was only one place with all the ingredients to become Shenzen. Believe it or not, global financial centers are not commonly found in developing countries. Why don't you propose some alternatives, I'll wait.

> Sounds like a you problem. Also the fact that you are 'partially remote' and you still schedule your meetings to be in person tells me: a) you do not have very many meetings b) you work with a fairly narrow scope of people who you can physically get into the same room on a regular basis.

I have plenty of meetings, and I don't know what you're smoking if you think that more than a large conference room's worth of people could all participate in a meeting. Neither of these disqualifies what I'm saying.

> If you say so, but the record number of fully remote startups that keep popping up at ever increasing rates says the opposite.

And how many of these are becoming wildly successful, compared to in-person companies located in desirable cities?

> Vast majority of communications/negotiations around fundraising and related happens digitally today.

[citation needed]

Also it doesn't count if the numbers get worked out over email but the handshake was in person.