There are several famous companies that are based in the Seattle area. Starbucks, Amazon, and Microsoft are known throughout the world. What makes Seattle a good place to base or start a business? In this section, you'll learn about Seattle from a business perspective. The Seattle area is home to some of the world's most renowned companies, including Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon. So what makes Seattle an excellent place for business? There are several reasons.

Seattle is located on the west coast of the United States, on Puget Sound, which connects to the Pacific Ocean. It has one of the largest ports in the country and is the closest US port to Asia. It also has strong connections to Alaska and Canada, as well as the rest of the United States. Seattle has a busy and growing international airport, offering direct flights to cities in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and major US cities. In fact, travel times to Europe and Asia from Seattle are roughly similar. Seattle is on the west side of Washington State, with good access to the major agricultural regions in the east. Due to its location, Seattle has a long history of international trade. Around 40% of jobs in Seattle are related to international trade, making it a true global trade hub.

Seattle has a highly skilled and educated workforce. Over 175,000 people work in the tech industry in the Seattle area, and it has the largest groups of aerospace workers in the United States. The University of Washington, with its main campus in Seattle, is one of the top research universities in the world and actively promotes startups to develop new products and technologies. This has helped Seattle attract significant venture capital investments from outside California. The city is also home to leading research centers in healthcare and biotechnology. All of this makes Seattle a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in technology, healthcare, and aerospace sectors.

Seattle is an attractive place to live. It is surrounded by water and mountains, offering many opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and boating. The climate is mild year-round. While it receives more rainfall than other places, this contributes to Seattle’s nickname, the Emerald City. There is a thriving cultural scene, with a rich music scene, film festivals, and performing arts. The city is also home to major sports teams and is globally known for its coffee, beer, and wine. This quality of life draws both people and companies to Seattle. Major companies like Google and Facebook have opened offices here in recent years, while Seattle-based companies like Amazon continue to grow and attract skilled professionals to the area.