There are lots of amazing startups in many places.

Yep. We have quite a group of amazing startups here in the Triangle area of North Carolina as well:

http://www.downtowndurhamstartups.com/content/startup+direct...

http://www.triangulatenc.com/companies/index

http://www.triangulatenc.com/companies/map

There's also an RTP "Hackers and Founders" group, although we haven't been meeting much lately. But if you're in the area and interested, join the Meetup and/or give me a shout.

http://www.meetup.com/RTP-Hackers-Founders/