A quick who’s who in Silicon Valley AND the Alley

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you probably already know that NY’s startup scene has been bursting at the seams lately. There’s a lot of talk of rivalry between the east and west coast tech capitals, and the truth is, it really does exist. Now, NY has something to prove — thanks in part to Mayor Bloomberg’s insistence and some good ol’ hometown pride.

I say the more competition the better, because it’s a driving force for innovation. Everyone has their opinion on which hub is better, but no matter how you slice it, both are very different.

If you’re not sure how, take a look at the interactive graphic below for a direct comparison. It makes it easy to explore some noteworthy companies, quotes from stakeholders, and the rise in Seed Funding from 2009-2011.

MBA@UNC explains:

There’s no shortage of debates in the blogosphere as to whether one coast has the advantage over the other. Regardless of what side you’re on, many would agree that there’s no better time to be an entrepreneur.

Organizations and incubators like the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), Startup America, Y-Combinator and Tech Stars are providing an unprecedented level of resources and support. In a recent TIME article, the YEC’s Scott Gerber even posited 2012 as “The Year of the Entrepreneur”.

Note: Hover over the company logos, quote symbols and chart dates for the info.