Not so long ago entrepreneurs with great ideas for tech startups had only one option if they really wanted their venture to take off: head to Silicon Valley. It was where all the venture capitalists, angel investors and engineering talent were located. Recently, though, options have opened up a little.

New York City, with all its cachet and global influence, is looking to become an option for the current explosion of tech startups. With major tech giants such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Zynga and even eBay opening offices in New York, the Manhattan tech scene is definitely on the rise. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a speech back in July, “Our ultimate goal is reclaiming our title as the world capital of technological innovation.”

Enter Silicon Alley.

Silicon Valley will continue to dominate as the technology capital of the world. Core internet hardware and software companies are firmly entrenched there. Large biotech, cleantech, healthcare and energy solution providers can be found off almost every freeway exit. The technology industry begins and ends in California, but entrepreneurs developing tech businesses heavily involved in media, advertising, marketing, consumer goods, finance or entertainment might just find Silicon Alley a good place to start.