When you’re doing your best to get your new startup company up and running, you need to make sure that the deck is stacked in your favor. That means, among other things, making sure that you find the right economic climate in which to found your fledgling financial empire. After all, when it comes to locations that are especially conducive to fostering and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit, not all states are created equal. A 2013 study conducted by Thumbtack and Kauffman Foundation surveyed 7,766 small-business owners from across the country, and asked them to grade their states on a number of factors which might have an impact on the overall success of a new business, and you might be surprised to see who the winners are. So, which areas are the best places in which to found a startup? Read on to find out.