Interesting, I had to look this up but for population density[0]:
* California: #17, 251/sq mile
* Utah: #46, 36/sq mile
I sort of doubt California's population density is the decisive thing here, but I agree that Utah's performance is impressive. Especially regarding VC, it would be fascinating to know how much of the money invested in Utah is from Utahns who made it big outside of Utah. In that it might (I randomly speculate) be more like some other countries than like other parts of the USA.
* California: #17, 251/sq mile
* Utah: #46, 36/sq mile
I sort of doubt California's population density is the decisive thing here, but I agree that Utah's performance is impressive. Especially regarding VC, it would be fascinating to know how much of the money invested in Utah is from Utahns who made it big outside of Utah. In that it might (I randomly speculate) be more like some other countries than like other parts of the USA.
[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_and_territories...