San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is on a mission to restore the city’s former glory — and he believes the tech industry is key to that revival. Speaking at TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC event Thursday night, Lurie made a direct appeal to tech CEOs:
“I’m calling entrepreneurs and saying, ‘How can we keep you here?’ or ‘How can we get you back?’”
Tackling Homelessness and Drug Use
Lurie said his top priority is tackling public safety issues and the homelessness crisis, which have driven many tech leaders and workers out of the city. In one notable step, Lurie recently ended a controversial program that distributed free drug paraphernalia like pipes and foil used for consuming fentanyl.
His approach — which he calls “common sense policies” — has earned support from notable tech figures. Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, even praised the mayor during the event, shouting “Thanks for cleaning up the city a bit” as he exited the stage.
Making San Francisco Easier to Build In
Lurie also discussed his intent to make San Francisco more business- and startup-friendly by slashing bureaucracy. Through a new initiative called Permit SF, startups and restaurants will face less red tape when setting up shop.
To address the city’s housing shortage, Lurie introduced a new zoning proposal that could allow taller buildings in areas previously reserved for low-rise homes — marking the first major rezoning effort since 1970.
“We want our entrepreneurs starting businesses and then staying here,” said Lurie. “That means streamlining permitting, making it easier to start a restaurant, a bar, or a startup.”
AI Hub Dreams and Business Partnerships
San Francisco’s recent emergence as an AI powerhouse has inspired Lurie to offer tax breaks to companies in exchange for investing in the city. For instance, he persuaded Databricks to keep its annual AI conference in SF through 2030 — instead of moving to Las Vegas.
Lurie also attended the ribbon-cutting of OpenAI’s new SF office, and wants CEO Sam Altman to “get loud” about OpenAI’s contributions to the city’s arts and culture.
As part of a broader initiative, the city recently launched the Partnership for San Francisco — a group of top tech and business leaders, including Laurene Powell Jobs, Jony Ive, and Sam Altman, offering a direct line between business and city hall.
Robotaxis and the Future of Mobility
Not everyone in the city is thrilled about the growing tech influence, especially when it comes to autonomous vehicles. Lurie confirmed he negotiated a compromise with labor unions to allow Waymo to obtain a permit for mapping at SFO Airport — but with limitations on moving commercial goods.
Still, Lurie remains bullish on robotaxis and AV infrastructure, saying:
“Waymo is not going anywhere… Autonomous vehicles are where the future is going.”
While Silicon Valley has traditionally led tech innovation, San Francisco is now riding the AI wave — and Lurie is determined to make the most of it.
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