Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

GoDaddy has released its Entrepreneurial Power Rankings, pitting 30 professional football-loving cities against each other in a battle for small business bragging rights, and Music City came in at #7.

GoDaddy’s Power Rankings, determined by the number of entrepreneurs per 100 people, capture not only pro football stadiums but also neighboring downtown and suburban areas. It’s here where small and microbusinesses – most with fewer than 10 employees, including many solo entrepreneurs – are starting and growing alongside the flow of game-day fans, tourists and workforce talent drawn to live entertainment events.

The key takeaways:

1. Entrepreneurs thrive in pro football cities. Nearly every metro area in the rankings has more entrepreneurs per 100 people than the national average, with only last-place Pittsburgh narrowly falling short. These results highlight how strong entrepreneurship is in pro football stadium-adjacent communities.
2. Florida doesn’t just shine, it builds. Florida’s entrepreneurial trifecta of Miami Gardens (#1), Tampa (#8), and Jacksonville (#15) demonstrates how a supportive environment – steady population growth, strong multicultural hubs and warm weather – can combine to fuel small business growth.
3. Mid-sized metros move the chains. Cities like Glendale, AZ (#4) and Nashville (#7) highlight how affordable, livable, and digitally connected suburban communities in mid-sized metros, not just major cities, are driving U.S. economic growth.

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