Where America
builds

The Roots Density Score ranks every state, plus 127 metros, on startup capital, innovation and economic strength.

Density Score

What are your roots?

Enter your hometown and your school to see how their markets score.

Schools are matched by the city they are in.

Head to head

San Francisco–Oakland leads Kansas City on Combined, 100 to 40.

San Francisco–Oakland and Kansas City compared on every score and input; the higher value leads
San Francisco–OaklandCAOpen page →Kansas CityMO-KSOpen page →
Scores
Combined100#1 of 127 (leads)40#65 of 127
Economic99#2 of 127 (leads)36#91 of 127
Innovation (Startup & VC)100#1 of 127 (leads)43#49 of 127
Inputs
Venture capital per year, per 100k people$2.5B#1 of 127 (leads)$8.2M#59 of 127
Early-stage rounds per year, per 100k people47#1 of 127 (leads)0.87#72 of 127
Series B+ rounds per year, per 100k people6.1#1 of 127 (leads)0.06#65 of 127
Startup exits per year, per 100k people4.6#1 of 121 (leads)0.22#46 of 121
GDP per person$173K#1 of 127 (leads)$83K#59 of 127
Patents per 100k people219#2 of 122 (leads)24#74 of 122
STEM degrees per 100k people214#53 of 127 (leads)79#105 of 127
Tech share of jobs6.6%#6 of 127 (leads)3.6%#30 of 127
Net migration of 25–44 year olds, per 100k people-400#102 of 127+393#15 of 127 (leads)

Scores as of October 19, 2026See a number that’s off? Email hello@roots.build

How we calculate density

Every input is measured per 100,000 people, so small and large places compare fairly. Each input is log-transformed, converted to a z-score (capped at ±3) and averaged within seven pillars: venture capital, startup formation, scale-ups, economic output and wealth, innovation and patents, talent, and momentum. The weighted pillars produce the Startup & VC, Economy and overall scores, which are rescaled so the top place scores 100. VC dollars and rounds are averaged from January 2024 to October 2026. Washington, DC is scored but not ranked.

Sources: Specter, SEC Form ADV, Census BFS, Crunchbase, BEA, USPTO, NSF HERD/GSS, IPEDS, USCIS, BLS OEWS, ACS, IRS SOI. Scores as of October 19, 2026.

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Roots is built by Redbud VC — the early-stage fund founded in Columbia, Missouri, by the team behind EquipmentShare.

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