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I don't doubt they are hard workers and intelligent. But if OP is judging them by SV standards of talent then it's not exactly fair. Building a successful company requires a certain drive, risk appetite, and revolutionary zeal that are not easily found in government (and to a lesser extent, academia). There are smart people everywhere but most would never make a significant impact.

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It requires a difference of priorities and ambitions. What draws people to the DC area is not the same as what draws them to SV. It’s not a disparity of capability. Aside from that, your point really is not accurate. There are plenty of companies and entrepreneurs users in the DC area that generate FAR more value and revenue than SV startups. Take a look at the wealthiest counties in the US. Loudoun County and Fairfax County have been the top of that list for a while. Or Montgomery County for that matter.

Would you truly consider old money, government regulatory capture/lobbying and defence to be in the same category as startups? They are completely different types of innovation. There job is done once a specific policy is achieved. Overarching changes to the system is often not their priority.

Most tech employees in even in the valley aren’t founders or early employees risking it all. There is probably some element of drive for commercial products or something but I think you’re vastly overestimating the degree to which that is a factor vs compensation.

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