Interviews from Legendary CIOs from Silicon Valley

The 2013 Legends of Silicon Valley came together for candid discussions focused around the future outlook of Silicon Valley and innovation at our annual event, GIL 2013 Silicon Valley. CNN columnist Andrew Keen interviewed this year's group of 10 visionary CEOs from the Valley to get their take on why it is successful and what it needs to do to stay that way. The interview is below. Find out more about The Gil 2013: Silicon Valley Executive Chronicles, which are now available for sale and contain key take aways and best practices discussed at the event.

Question: What is it about Silicon Valley that makes it uniquely suited as a place for innovation and business growth?

Lloyd Carney, Chief Executive Officer, Brocade: "Silicon Valley is a place that rewards failure; it's a unique place that rewards failure. I think it's a true meritocracy. I couldn't have achieved the level of success I have in Silicon Valley in my native Jamaica - or in Nigeria, or Malaysia."

Thomas Fogarty, Founder and Chairman, Fogarty Institute for Innovation: "I grew up in Cincinnati, went to no-name schools, and I became a physician and inventor. In the Silicon Valley, "It's in the water, excuse me, It's in the wine." We are very fortunate - we have good universities - and you have very bright people here. You're in an environment that really works for innovation."

HP Jin, Chief Executive Officer, Telenav: "Silicon Valley is a better ecosystem for innovation - because of the people, and because it's easier to go 'back to school' here, and the weather."

Timothy Draper, Founder and Managing Director, Draper Fisher: "I grew up in Silicon Valley. There was no Fairmont Hotel here when I was growing up. This was a dirt road straight to Mexico and the area was filled with plum and apricot orchards. My grandfather was the first venture capitalist here, and my father was a venture capitalist, so the last thing I wanted to be was a venture capitalist. I tried to be an entrepreneur but I failed. Spectacular failures, however, lead to spectacular successes."

Patrick Lo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NETGEAR: "I think it's the importance of the network here. The beauty of the Silicon Valley is that it's a relatively small space and we generally all kind of know each other - knowing each other and always keeping abreast of developments has really helped us."

Guy Gecht, Chief Executive Officer, EPI: "In my native Israel - the numbers are against us there and we have more enemies. Here in Silicon Valley, there's something in the culture - standing still is not an option. It's all about beating the odds, improvise and survive."

Patrick Lo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NETGEAR: "We have the biggest GDP, the biggest market in the world - that is unparalleled. The only other country that could have that kind of potential is China. That's why you see there is a vibrant startup scene in Israel but by the time they want to make it big, they have to come here. In China - they graduate 700,000 engineers - but their wealth isn't guaranteed - because your money could be taken by the government at any time."

Final Thought: Silicon Valley has become the epicenter of innovation, startup culture and creative thinking, and the momentum the Valley has place it in good stead to continue to be the hub of new ideas and innovations. However, the Valley should not rest on its laurels and, rather, must continue to innovate and evolve to attract the best talent and foster it.

To get the rest of the enlightening content that was discussed at our event, purchase our Gil 2013: Silicon Valley Executive Chronicles today or contact us for more information!