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Study: Seattle #11 on list of cities positioned to lead digital economy

SEATTLE — Despite tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon calling the Seattle area home, a new study says Seattle is not as well-equipped as other cities to handle a "technological revolution."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which did the study, ranks Seattle No. 11 in the country for  its readiness “to shift to a digital economy.”

But people who work in tech in Seattle dispute that.

“I had to laugh a little bit.” Glowforge CEO and co-founder Dan Shapiro said.

Glowforge makes 3D laser printers. It is based in SODO.

Shapiro said there's a reason why he's chosen to be in Seattle.

"My family is here, my friends are here but most importantly this intense network of people who love the region, love technology, love innovation and help it grow is here," Shapiro explained.

The rankings are based on how well the top 25 U.S. startup hubs attract talent, increase investments, develop specializations, create density, connect the community and build a culture of innovation.

The top five cities, according to the study, are Boston, the Bay Area, Denver, Raleigh-Durham, and San Diego.

“It's about as far from reality as you can possibly imagine,” Washington Technology Industry Association CEO Michael Schutzler said.

Schutzler thinks Seattle should be in the top three.

While Seattle scored high for attracting top talent in the study, that's where Schutzler thinks the city need more homegrown talent.

“We are the No. 1 recruiter of tech talent in the country,” he said. “We are creating jobs that much faster than producing people qualified for those jobs.”

The city also scored low for collaboration with corporations and mentors.

“When I think where we have to grow, I look at the huge number of investors coming from outside the region to invest in Seattle,” Shapiro added. “And I wish we had the support here.”

Here are the full city rankings:

1.    Boston

2.    Bay Area

3.    Denver

4.    Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

5.    San Diego

6.    Austin, Texas

7.    Los Angeles

8.    Philadelphia

9.    Washington, D.C.

10.   New York

11.   Seattle

12.   Chicago

13.   Portland

14.   Pittsburgh

15.   Nashville, Tenn.

16.   Minneapolis

17.   Salt Lake City

18.   Baltimore

19.   Dallas

20.   Houston

21.   Atlanta

22.   Miami

23.   Phoenix

24.   Kansas City

25.   New Orleans

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