The evolution of Revolution

When I launched AOL more than three decades ago, the idea that people could use technology to connect and build community—regardless of where they lived—felt like a radical bet. But it was a bet on the future, and what I called the killer app: people. At its peak, half of all U.S. internet traffic ran through AOL, and more than half of that usage was via community-related features: email, message boards, chat rooms, and instant messaging (AIM name: Steve—it pays to get in early).

That same belief in the power of community drives everything we do at Revolution.

We started this firm with a simple conviction: innovation isn’t confined to pre-selected pins on a map. Great companies—and great communities—can rise up anywhere. That idea has guided our approach to venture investing, real estate development, and hospitality.

Whether we’re backing a startup rethinking logistics in the Midwest or developing a resort that redefines cultural immersion in Costa Rica, we go where the potential is and help unlock it.

To us, place matters, not just as geography, but as context. We don’t believe in parachuting in. We’ve seen what happens when investors take the long-term view and engage deeply in the places where they invest. That’s why we back startups not just with capital, but with connections, and a commitment to helping them thrive where they are. And it’s why we build properties that strengthen communities—housing to support growing workforces, and destinations that promote wellbeing and reflect the spirit of their surroundings.

We believe in showing up, listening closely, and partnering with people on the ground to create something that lasts, whether that’s a business, a travel destination, or a broader movement. And because of our D.C. homebase, we also relentlessly champion policies that support those efforts.

This isn’t just about investing. It’s about building. And it’s about shaping an economy where more people in more places have the chance to thrive.