Yes, of course it can. Consider the alternative statement "No startup can succeed outside of (SF,NYC,BOS)." It only takes one counter-example to disprove that statement. Can you find one startup that launched outside of those cities that succeeded? Ok, done.
Now the bigger question "does operating in one of 'those cities' have advantages?" or "is it easier to succeed as a startup in one of 'those cities'?" is a different issue. Certainly there are reasons why so many startups come from certain areas. But if you really are wanting a binary "yes/no" answer to "Can I - at least theoretically - succeed somewhere else" then there's really no question. Yes, it's been done [1] and it's being done.
FWIW, I'll point you to some examples of the kind of stuff that's going on in one area (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/RTP, NC) that's outside of the traditional "tech hub" areas you mention:
[1]: http://www.redhat.com - maybe the best known of the Triangle area startups from over the years.
And NC is just one area that has a lot going for it, outside of Boston, NYC, Bay area... there are plenty of places you can launch a startup, you'll just need to do your research and evaluate the relative merits and advantages and disadvantages of them. One example of a disadvantage frequently cited here in the Triangle NC area is that it's generally considered harder to raise Angel / VC money here than out West or in Boston / NYC. It is possible of course, it's just harder.
Now the bigger question "does operating in one of 'those cities' have advantages?" or "is it easier to succeed as a startup in one of 'those cities'?" is a different issue. Certainly there are reasons why so many startups come from certain areas. But if you really are wanting a binary "yes/no" answer to "Can I - at least theoretically - succeed somewhere else" then there's really no question. Yes, it's been done [1] and it's being done.
FWIW, I'll point you to some examples of the kind of stuff that's going on in one area (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/RTP, NC) that's outside of the traditional "tech hub" areas you mention:
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2233892
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2233666
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2129698
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2222813
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2116846
http://meetup.com/RTP-Hackers-Founders/
http://www.meetup.com/lsc-rtp
http://southcap.eventbrite.com/
http://eseriesmarch2011.eventbrite.com/
http://www.joysticklabs.com/
http://www.launchboxdigital.com/
http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/07/21/590526/american-tobac...
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/business/five-companies-join-a...
http://www.vcic.unc.edu/
And just for a little additional context:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Triangle_(North_Carolina)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_Triangle_Park
[1]: http://www.redhat.com - maybe the best known of the Triangle area startups from over the years.
And NC is just one area that has a lot going for it, outside of Boston, NYC, Bay area... there are plenty of places you can launch a startup, you'll just need to do your research and evaluate the relative merits and advantages and disadvantages of them. One example of a disadvantage frequently cited here in the Triangle NC area is that it's generally considered harder to raise Angel / VC money here than out West or in Boston / NYC. It is possible of course, it's just harder.