from Hacker News

This is a question I've been turning over in my head for a while now, and what I'm wondering is, what kind of high-tech startups might be necessarily and intrinsically constrained to a local market?

For example: here on the eastern shore of Maryland, there is a new robotics startup looking to help modernize some of the agricultural industry with robotics. This doesn't seem feasible to expand geographically, other than simply opening a new office in other agricultural areas. But all the same, it involves some serious technology development and infrastructure, which is great for the local economy.

Another example: something I've only recently discovered (although they don't seem super new) is companies putting on drone-based light shows, in place of firework displays. Again, by its very physical nature, the business model here must focus on local clientele. But nonetheless, it may involve some degrees of serious software engineering, IT infrastructure, app development, etc.

So, I'm wondering if anybody here has seen, heard about, or dreamed up anything that fits this "local-first" framework!

(edit: formatting)