Economic incentives offered by U.S. states to attract established companies grab headlines. The pursuit of Amazon by various cities and states, for example, captured the public interest and also created strong sentiments for and against such investment.
Amazon was on the front page, but leaders in some states are continually and quietly seeking to cultivate the next Amazon. They do this by providing early-stage funding and resources to promising startups. These forward-thinking programs set the stage for a bright entrepreneurial future but also cost public dollars.
