San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is focused on restoring the city’s former prosperity and believes that collaboration with tech leaders, known for promoting utopian ideas, can facilitate this goal. During TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC event, Lurie emphasized his proactive approach, revealing his efforts to engage CEOs and entrepreneurs directly to retain and attract them to the city.
A primary concern for Lurie is addressing the widespread issues of drug use and homelessness, which have driven many business leaders away from San Francisco. In his first 100 days in office, he has dedicated significant time to observing the city’s most affected neighborhoods. Recently, he terminated a longstanding program that provided free drug paraphernalia, such as pipes and straws, to users, in an effort to confront these challenges.
Lurie’s policies, which he described as “common sense” during his 2024 mayoral campaign, have garnered support from technology leaders. At the StrictlyVC event, Ryan Peterson, CEO of Flexport, expressed appreciation for Lurie’s efforts in improving the city.
Additionally, Lurie is focused on easing the path for construction and business creation in San Francisco. The city has launched Permit SF, an initiative aimed at reducing bureaucratic hurdles for startups. Furthermore, Lurie introduced a new zoning proposal that would permit taller buildings, potentially increasing housing options in areas traditionally limited to single-family homes. This move could mark the first rezoning in San Francisco since 1970.
The mayor underlined the importance of making entrepreneurial ventures more feasible in San Francisco, advocating for streamlined permitting processes to encourage new businesses and maintain the presence of existing ones. He believes in fostering a collaborative spirit to attract and retain businesses.
To enhance the city’s competitive edge, Lurie is considering offering tax incentives to companies. He has collaborated with leading AI companies to increase their presence and activity in San Francisco. For instance, Lurie convinced Databricks to keep its AI conference in the city until 2030, countering plans to relocate it to Las Vegas. He also participated in the inauguration of a new OpenAI office.
Lurie’s strategy extends beyond financial incentives, as he seeks to engage the tech industry in broader support for San Francisco’s arts and culture landscape. He encouraged OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to publicly discuss their contributions to these areas.
The city’s recent announcement of the Partnership for San Francisco reflects this approach, establishing a platform for business leaders, including Laurene Powell Jobs and Jony Ive, to interact directly with city hall.
Concerns have arisen that the tech industry’s growth might displace other communities, exemplified by the recent situation with Waymo. The company acquired a permit for mapping the SFO airport for its robotaxis but agreed to limitations to protect delivery driver jobs, influenced by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Lurie clarified that Waymo’s presence in the city would continue, as he recognizes autonomous vehicles as a key part of the future.
As Silicon Valley remains a hub for technological advancements, the AI boom has brought renewed momentum to San Francisco. Lurie envisions this momentum positioning the city as an essential site for innovation, affirming, “When we’re done, everyone’s going to be like, ‘I got to be in San Francisco. Otherwise I’m missing out.'”
