Let’s say two inventors have the same idea at the same time. The only difference is their location. One is based in Ohio, and the other is based in Texas. Who will be more successful? 

If you look at patent numbers, the data favors Texas. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, across a five-year period, just three states—California, New York, and Texas—accounted for more than one-third (36.5 percent) of all the nation’s patents.

In a way, this question of Ohio versus Texas is exactly what the PCDworks founders, Mike and Donna Rainone, faced more than twenty-five years ago. Mike and Donna lived in Ohio when they first dreamed up the idea for PCDworks, but when it came time to start realizing that dream, they chose to build in Texas.

Why? Because location matters. 

Geography influences innovation in a number of ways, from the concentration of talent and intellectual capital to financial investment to the availability of entrepreneur/innovator support systems. Much has already been written about these factors, so let’s focus on the other subtle but powerful element at play: geographic mindset.

Where You Are Influences How You Think

With an area of almost 3.8 million square miles and more than 330 million people, the United States is the fourth largest country in the world by area and the third largest by population. With so many people spread across so much land, distinct regions have naturally formed. From food to accents to dominant industries to mindset, where you are in the United States has an impact.

What do you think of when you think of Texas? Perhaps cowboys or the Alamo or wildcatters hoping to strike it big with black gold. Historically, Texans are known for being wild, resourceful risk takers. The state has built a mythology around this image of the maverick, which has led to a regional mindset perfect for innovation. Consistently curious and persistently passionate, that’s the Texan—and PCDworks—way. 

Perhaps this is why when you look at lists of the most innovative cities in the world, you’ll usually find three Texas cities near the top: Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Austin. And in the middle of all three, you’ll find PCDworks.

The Texan Innovative Spirit

There is an innovative spirit inherent to Texas. A perfect example is Jack Kilby, who worked for Texas Instruments. You may not have heard of Kilby before, but you are benefiting from his invention right now. He designed the world’s first integrated circuit, or microchip. In 2000, he won the Nobel Prize for his contributions. 

So when you think of Texas, you should think of not just cowboys, but also innovators. If you want to experience the Texan innovative spirit for yourself, drop us a line at hello@pcdworks.com.