From San Diego to Austin and Seattle, these are the 15 best US cities to launch a startup

Entrepreneurship score: 81.75

Startup density: 10.3%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.6%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 8.9%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 76.9%

In the growing world of fintech, Charlotte has emerged as the new industry's capital, with companies like LendingTree setting up headquarters there. But it's a great place for startups, too: the Charlotte Angel Fund is one of many Charlotte-based accelerators.

Entrepreneurship score: 82.35

Startup density: 10.1%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.7%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 10.7%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 76.1%

Atlanta is no stranger to big business: both Coca-Cola and Delta have their headquarters there. But Atlanta is also home to incubators like Atlanta Technology Village for new startups.

Entrepreneurship score: 82.41

Startup density: 9.9%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.7%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 9.9%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 80.0%

The Arizona Commerce Authority offers startups the Angel Investment Tax Credit, which amounts to a total of $2.5 million every year.

Entrepreneurship score: 82.7

Startup density: 10.3%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.7%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 12.0%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 74.5%

According to a 2016 study by the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the city has the second-highest concentration of science and engineering professionals in the country.

Entrepreneurship score: 83.37

Startup density: 9.2%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.7%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 8.7%

Reason for starting a business isn't lack of work: 81.1%

You've heard of Silicon Valley, but what about "Silicon Prairie"? That's the nickname Kansas City earned for its startup culture, which includes LaunchKC, a local startup accelerator.

Entrepreneurship score: 83.79

Startup density: 8.1%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.6%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 8.5%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 79.3%

Several Boston-area universities have their own startup accelerators. For example, MIT has the LaunchX Summer Program, and Harvard has the Harvard i-lab.

Entrepreneurship score: 84.59

Startup density: 11.2%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.5%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 14.5%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 72.1%

Miami is home to several organizations helping startups, including a branch of the Silicon Valley-based accelerator 500 Startups and the University of Miami's accelerator, the Launch Pad.

Entrepreneurship score: 85.22

Startup density: 9.7%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.7%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 11.0%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 79.6%

These three bordering cities are gaining notoriety as the "Silicon Forest" thanks to their numerous startups and incubators. One incubator, VertueLab, only invests in startups with a positive impact on the environment.

Entrepreneurship score: 85.24

Startup density: 9.3%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.6%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 7.9%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 79.2%

According to Volusion, Raleigh's combination of universities (North Carolina State University, Duke University) and accelerators (Triangle Investor Alliance, Wolfpack Investor Network) make it ideal for startups.

Entrepreneurship score: 88.32

Startup density: 10.8%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.6%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 11.0%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 77.9%

According to online startup community Built In Colorado, the legal cannabis industry is gaining traction both with the number of startups and consumers.

Entrepreneurship score: 89.25

Startup density: 9.7%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 1.1%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 10.6%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 80.4%

Nashville may be known for country music, but it's becoming a hub for healthcare startups, including healthcare insurance startup Clover Health.

Entrepreneurship score: 90.77

Startup density: 10.1%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 1.7%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 8.7%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 72.4%

San Jose has plenty of programs to get your startup off the ground, like the Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship for students at San Jose State University.

Entrepreneurship score: 93.03

Startup density: 11.6%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 0.5%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 10.8%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 80.0%

According to Volusion, Austin has the third-highest startup density in the country.

Entrepreneurship score: 99.20

Startup density: 10.0%

Percentage of firms receiving venture capital investment: 1.9%

Percentage of self-employed workers: 9.7%

Reason for starting business isn't lack of work: 77.5%

Seattle's government is very supportive of startups. The Only in Seattle initiative grants seed money and provides consulting to startups in local business districts.