Dispatches from the Road: Q3 2023
We spent the good part of the past three months doing our favorite part of the job: meeting the startups we back(and the communities that rally around them) on their home turf. We’ve read plenty of articles on the movement of tech talent and the surge of American entrepreneurship, but seeing that momentum in person is a different kind of invigorating. Here’s a snapshot of the stops and connections we made in Q3.
Where we went: Houston, TX📍
What we did: Revolution Ventures Managing Partner, Tige Savage, and Associate, Carl Leacock, reconnected with the Houston innovation ecosystem during a jam-packed day planned by local startup, Rivalry Tech. The agenda included a tour of the Ion (the centerpiece of Houston’s innovation corridor), lunch with local investors and founders at Minute Maid Park’s Gallagher Club, watching the Astros take on the Guardians, and seeing Rivalry’s order fulfillment solution in action during happy hour at Margaritaville Lake Conroe.
Where to go: Head to Memorial Park for a scenic walk, run, or bike ride, Pappasitos for authentic TexMex, and Flower and Cream at the POST Market to end the day with a well-deserved little treat.
Where we went: Bozeman, MT📍
What we did: Rise of the Rest Associate, Isabelle Styslinger, went west for Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association’s Emerging VC Summit, where she networked, knowledge shared, and explored Bozeman’s great outdoors with dozens of investors whose geographic focus spans the Mountain West.
Where to go: Start your day with a pastry from Wild Crumb, shop Bozeman-area artisan creations at Biome Slow Craft, and head up M Trail for a steep, rewarding climb.
Where we went: Las Vegas, NV📍
What we did: Revolution Ventures VP, Alex Shtarkman, joined fellow proptech investors onstage at Blueprint 2023 to discuss the current landscape for real estate tech founders and funders. Hear his takes on building a strong investor syndicate. A few weeks later, Revolution Growth Partner, Fazeela Abdul Rashid, and VP, Nancy Hilliker, touched down in the city for HLTH 2023, where they co-hosted a breakfast with McDermott Will & Emery that convened healthtech founders, executives, and investors.
Where to go: Start the day with a 12-ounce pour-over at Bungalow Coffee Co., grab lunch off the Strip at Lotus of Siam, and check out the signs that lit up the Vegas skyline of yesteryear at The Neon Museum.
Where we went: Detroit, MI📍
What we did: Rise of the Rest VP, James Barlia, touched down in Motor City to get the latest on the startups innovating in mobility at the Fontinalis Summit. Also on the agenda: catching up with the folks at Detroit Venture Partners and Bedrock Manufacturing (a Revolution Growth portfolio company) on the regional startup scene’s state of play.
Where to go: Get lost in four floors of stacks at John K. King Used & Rare Books, step into the Shinola Hotel to take in the historic Woodward Ave building’s masterful restoration, and head to The Congregation for coffee in the morning or cocktails in the evening.
Where we went: Birmingham, AL📍
What we did: Rise of the Rest Principal, Mahati Sridhar, touched down in Magic City to discuss the venture landscape and factors critical to a successful fundraise at Alabama Capital Network’s VC Summit.
Where to go: Check into the Elyton Hotel for a historical stay or head up to the rooftop for cocktails with a view, stop at Pizitz Food Hall for a quick nosh, and make a reservation at The Essential for A+ modern American fare on Morris Ave.
Where we went: Dallas, TX📍
What we did: The team returned to DFW in time for Dallas Startup Week. First on the itinerary: a trip to BioLabs Pegasus Park where Steve Case sat down with Lyda Hill Philanthropies CEO, Nicole Small, to talk about the innovation brewing in North Texas, followed by a conversation with a few of those innovators, including Kanarys CEO, Mandy Price, and Arcade CEO, David Cherrie. Next up, the team headed to the Future of Venture Forum, where Steve and Techstars Fort Worth Managing Director, Trey Bowles, discussed why cities should prioritize fueling an inclusive startup ecosystem. Read soundbites from their conversation in Dallas Innovates.
Where to go: Get lost exploring 66 acres of gardens at the Dallas Arboretum (one of the top botanical gardens in the world, according to Architectural Digest), wander through the Design District’s Dragon Street galleries, and pick up a pit-smoked platter from Pecan Lodge.
Where we went: Burlington, VT 📍
What we did: Rise of the Rest Head of Strategy, Jamie Rodota, returned to Vermont for See Change Sessions’ September conference, where he caught up with fellow attendee and Cambium Carbon founder, Ben Christensen, and sat in on discussions ranging from the art of entrepreneurial storytelling to the evolving media landscape.
Where to go: We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again: Hula Lakeside is a must-see. After catching up with the startup community there, try your hand at eFoiling on Lake Champlain before grabbing a sauna/cold plunge afterward at Savu Pop-Up Sauna Lakeside.
