The author reflects on his experiences in the New York City tech scene after spending four days there, contrasting it with his life in Silicon Valley. Having moved from the UK to Silicon Valley as a teenager, he credits NYC as the city where he truly began his career. From 2007 to 2011, he immersed himself in the emerging tech scene while attending college near the city. His early involvement with Artsy and later investment opportunities at Insight Partners shaped his trajectory. He highlights significant investments in companies like Frame.io and Hinge, which have become category-defining and collectively generate over $2.5 billion in annual revenue. During his recent visit, he connected with founders from these successful companies, emphasizing the importance of relationships in NYC's ecosystem. He notes that seven out of 23 CEOs in his current portfolio are based in NYC. What sets NYC apart is its focus on fundamentals over media hype, along with a diverse talent pool that fosters ambition across various fields. The author believes this environment enhances business outcomes, as evidenced by the performance of his Footwork portfolio companies. While he acknowledges Silicon Valley's concentration of ambitious founders, he argues that NYC's unique blend of talent and energy creates a compelling landscape for building successful companies.