SF Mayor Lurie to Tech CEOs: “How Can We Get You Back?”
San Francisco, CA – April 5, 2025
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie took a bold step toward revitalizing the city’s tech-driven economy this week, delivering a direct plea to industry leaders at TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC event on Thursday night: “How can we get you back?” The newly minted mayor, speaking to a crowd of entrepreneurs and investors, underscored his determination to restore San Francisco’s status as a global innovation hub, urging tech CEOs to return to the city they once flocked to in droves. With downtown office vacancies at a record 34.2% and the city grappling with a tarnished reputation, Lurie’s outreach signals a proactive shift at City Hall—but it’s a pitch that’s meeting both optimism and skepticism.
Lurie, a Levi Strauss heir and political newcomer who assumed office in January, has made economic recovery a cornerstone of his administration. “I’m a mayor that is picking up the phone and calling CEOs,” he declared, emphasizing his hands-on approach. “I’m calling entrepreneurs and saying, ‘How can we keep you here?’ or ‘How can we get you back?’” His strategy hinges on addressing the city’s well-documented woes—rampant homelessness, open drug use, and a perception of lawlessness—that have driven companies and workers south to Silicon Valley or beyond. On April 2, he rolled back a controversial program distributing free drug paraphernalia, a move he touted as a first step toward reclaiming the streets.
The mayor’s overture comes as San Francisco rides an AI boom, with firms like OpenAI and Anthropic planting roots in the city. Yet, the exodus of tech giants like Twitter (now X) and others to remote-friendly locales has left downtown reeling. Lurie pointed to new initiatives like Permit SF, unveiled this week, which aims to slash bureaucratic red tape for startups, and a zoning proposal to allow taller buildings—potentially the first major rezoning since 1970. “We need to make it easier to build here—housing, businesses, everything,” he said, framing San Francisco as “open for business” under his watch.
Tech leaders have responded with cautious enthusiasm. Ryan Peterson, CEO of Flexport, shouted encouragement from the StrictlyVC stage, reflecting a shared hope among some that Lurie’s “common sense policies” could reverse the tide. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO and a member of Lurie’s Partnership for San Francisco—a consortium of business heavyweights including Laurene Powell Jobs and Jony Ive—has been urged to amplify the city’s cultural investments. “Sam’s already doing it quietly,” Lurie noted, “but I want him to get loud about it.” Posts on X echo this sentiment, with one user writing, “Lurie’s got the right idea—SF’s AI momentum could be the key to bringing tech back.”
Yet, not everyone’s sold. Critics argue Lurie’s tech-centric vision risks alienating other communities, pointing to tensions like Waymo’s recent push for an SFO permit, which he smoothed over with labor unions but left some residents wary of corporate overreach. “Either the future is technology, or it’s forcing workers into offices—how can both be true?” one X user posted, referencing Lurie’s push for a four-day in-office mandate for city workers, set to take effect April 28. Others question his outsider status—despite his $13 million self-funded campaign—wondering if a billionaire philanthropist can truly grasp the city’s diverse needs.
Lurie remains undeterred, betting on San Francisco’s allure and his ability to bridge City Hall with tech’s elite. “When we’re done, everyone’s going to say, ‘I’ve got to be in San Francisco, otherwise I’m missing out,’” he predicted. As he walks troubled neighborhoods and dials CEOs, the mayor’s challenge is clear: turn promises into progress—or risk losing tech’s faith for good.
By Staff Writer, Bay Tech Beat