Silicon Valley

It’s been seven years since I was last in Silicon Valley and being back feels like a reminder of why Silicon Valley is unlike anywhere else.

The energy here is unmatched. The culture, the openness, the way people genuinely want to help it’s something you can feel the moment you arrive. Everyone is approachable, curious, and always ready to connect you with someone who can move your vision forward. It’s a rare kind of ecosystem built entirely on the belief that if you succeed, we all succeed.

This time, I’m here with my new company (EU Presence) as part of the Plug and Play program. And week one didn’t disappoint.

We met Stephen M. Ross, one of the most influential real estate developers in the United States with a networth of $17 billion. From owning Hudson Yards in New York to the Miami Dolphins, his impact on American business and culture is massive. He shared lessons from his journey, the mistakes that shaped him, and even explored a potential collaboration with one of the startups in our batch right on the spot (kudos to Brendon, Agron, Kevin and the Synaps team).

We also had the chance to meet Saeed Amidi, founder and CEO of Plug and Play. He told us how a last-minute decision cost him what could have been a $200 million return from an early Airbnb investment at just a $2 million valuation. These are the kind of stories you only hear in Silicon Valley and when they come directly from the people who lived them, they suddenly feel real, human, and achievable.

That’s what makes this place so special. We often read about these success stories in magazines or online, but here you hear them firsthand. You see that these legends of the startup world are just people driven, persistent, and relentlessly curious.

And in true Silicon Valley spirit, day one at Plug and Play already brought three strategic collaborations on the horizon between Plug and Play and EU Presence.

Coming back here reminded me that the real secret behind Silicon Valley’s success isn’t just capital, talent or infrastructure, it’s mindset. A mindset built on openness, generosity and a shared desire to see others win. Everything else is secondary.

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