Dispatches from the Road: Q2 2023
We continue to take to the roads, rails, and skies to celebrate portfolio company milestones, meet founders where they are, and see what’s bubbling up in rising startup ecosystems on our radar. From post-industrial cities reinventing their economies to industry hubs leaning into their place-based advantages, spring travels brought a breath of fresh air and plenty of inspiration. Check out where we went and stay tuned for where we’re headed next.
Where we went: Pittsburgh, PA📍
What we did: Rise of the Rest Senior Director of Strategy, Jamie Rodota, embarked on a 36-hour tour of the Pittsburgh tech ecosystem with a group of 17 VCs assembled by One America Works. The itinerary included an overview of the innovation ecosystem from the CEO of Innovation Works, a deep dive into Carnegie Mellon’s computer science and robotics programs, and meeting with 22 teams building deep-tech companies in Steel City. Read more on Pittsburgh’s rising innovation economy — including a remarkable 15% increase in VC funding from 2021 to 2022 — via The Mid-Point.
Where to go: Head to Tazza D’Oro for your caffeine fix, get a panorama of Pittsburgh’s three rivers from the observation deck of the Duquesne Incline, take a load off on the Mellon Park Walled Garden lawn, and head to S&D Polish Deli for pierogies.
Where we went: Miami, FL📍
What we did: Revolution Ventures VP, Alex Shtarkman, headed south to the Sunshine State for eMerge Americas 2023 — the event anchoring Miami’s Tech Month. There, he judged the early-stage pitch competition, caught up with ecosystem builders from Endeavor Miami, and caught keynotes from Tom Brady, Francis Suarez, and more. Check out the recap of this year’s event.
Where to go: Roam the contemporary collection at the Bass Museum of Art, support the local treat economy at Azucar Ice Cream in Little Havana, head to South Point for a low-key beach day, and imbibe poolside at The Broken Shaker.
Where we went: Napa, CA📍
What we did: Revolution Growth VP, Nancy Hilliker, took the stage at the Credit Suisse Private Fintech Conference alongside investors from FinTech Collective, Andreessen Horowitz, and QED Investors to discuss the industry’s state of play for startups and VCs.
Where to go: Tour the terrain by biking along the Napa Valley Vine Trail, stop at Sequoia Grove for a wine tasting, and end the day with a burger at Rutherford Grill.
Where we went: Scottsdale, AZ📍
What we did: Rise of the Rest CEOs joined us at Scottsdale’s Mountain Shadows Resort to forge peer-to-peer connections, prioritize their well-being, and leave energized and ready to tackle the next challenge. On the agenda: hiking, yoga, relaxation, and programming on everything from finding balance and tackling tough conversations to running a tight fundraising process and accelerating growth. Check out scenes from the Retreat.
Where to go: Climb Camelback Mountain for well-earned 360 views, explore shops and galleries in Old Town Scottsdale, and check out the local flora at the Desert Botanical Garden.
Where we went: College Park, MD📍
What we did: Revolution Ventures Associate, Carl Leacock, made his way up to the Home of the Terrapins for the inaugural DMV BLCK VC Summit where he participated in a panel on breaking into venture capital alongside investors from Upside Partners, March Capital, and Cambridge Associates. Read takeaways from the chapter’s first annual summit in the Washington Business Journal.
Where to go: Start the day off strong at Vigilante Coffee, explore the University of Maryland’s grounds (and rub one of the Testudos’ noses for good luck), and mural spot along the Gateway Arts District corridor.
Where we went: Chattanooga, TN📍
What we did: The team headed to the Appalachian foothills for Chattanooga’s inaugural CO.MOBILITY Summit covering smart city innovations, quantum technology, electric and autonomous vehicles, freight and logistics tech, and workforce development. On the jam-packed itinerary: dinner with state and local policymakers, an investor breakfast with Launch Tennessee, a tour of local accelerator, Brickyard, and Steve Case’s fireside chat with FreightWaves founder, Craig Fuller. Read more about our return to Chattanooga and Gig City’s startup momentum in MarketWatch.
Where to go: Start your day at Velo Coffee, explore the fresh and saltwater exhibits at the Tennessee Aquarium, walk the riverfront via Walnut Street Bridge, and head to Lookout Mountain for epic overlooks and subterranean sites.
Where we went: Dallas, TX📍
What we did: Rise of the Rest Managing Partner, David Hall, and VP, James Barlia, touched down in D-Town to catch up with the teams at Nada and Arcade and convene the local portfolio, startups, and investors for dinner and networking.
Where to go: Get a bird’s eye view of Dallas from the top of Reunion Tower, catch a live act in Deep Ellum, and cool off with a drink from Katy Trail Ice House.
Where we went: New York, NY📍
What we did: Revolution Growth VP, Nancy Hilliker, and Partner and CAVA board member, Todd Klein, joined the leading Mediterranean fast-casual company on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange for its public debut. Catch scenes from the first major consumer IPO of 2023 and a conversation with CAVA CEO, Brett Schulman, on our partnership.
Where to go: Popup Bagels for bagels and schmears (but we know any recommendation invites controversy), Strand Book Store for walls of good reads, Governor’s Island for an unexpected urban escape, and Moynihan Train Hall to see the building’s recent transformation.
