Revolution Team
September 25, 2024
5 min read
If we’re going by the equinox, the sun has finally set on a summer that took our team to Green Mountains, Great Lakes, state capitals, and high altitudes. Below are sights and highlights from more than 13.5K miles traveled to visit portfolio companies, co-investors, and ecosystem builders across the country.
Where we went: Chicago, IL📍
What we did: Rise of the Rest gathered Chicago VCs to test their swing at a pre-game batting practice before catching up on the city’s startup ecosystem in the stands at Wrigley Field. Fazeela Rashid also touched down in the Windy City for the Future Food-Tech Alternative Protein Summit, where she discussed what’s driving and curtailing consumer adoption. FoodNavigator shares more on the meat alternative trends she’s watching.
Where to go: Kayak the Chicago River for an experience that’s part workout, part architecture tour, stop by Second City (the club that launched the likes of Bill Murray and Tina Fey) for a comedy show, and grab a bite at Mr. Beef to see where Carmy Berzatto returned to his roots.
Where we went: Richmond, VA📍
What we did: Mahati Sridhar ventured down to Virginia’s capital city to sync up with the team at Fringe — the Richmond-based personalized benefits marketplace that was recently named an Inc. Best Workplace.
Where to go: Stroll through the grounds and gardens of Maymont, pick up a pizza from 8 ½ for a picnic at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and grab a nightcap at Jaspers where “full pours and honest prices” is a promise.
Where we went: Jackson Hole, WY📍
What we did: GrowthCap 40 Under 40 honoree Nancy Hilliker touched down in Wyoming for the organization’s annual Jackson Hole Classic, where she networked, hiked, and biked with leading growth investors, founders, and executives.
Where to go: Fuel up at Cowboy Coffee before choosing your own adventure at Grand Teton National Park — you can’t go wrong with paddling String Lake or hiking Lake Solitude Trail. Design a custom-made cap at Sing Hat Company and end the day at a Jackson Hole fine dining favorite, Snake River Grill.
Where we went: The Wharf, D.C.📍
What we did: Carl Leacock headed to the District’s southwest waterfront, taking the stage at DCA Live’s inaugural CapitalCapital Summit to discuss the next generation of D.C. venture capital alongside investors from JHH vc, Noblis Ventures, and Hustle Fund.
Where to go: Dine on fresh oysters at the Rappahannock Oyster Bar, grab a draft on the dock at Cantina Bambina, and catch a live act at the Anthem, Pearl Street Warehouse, or Union Stage.
Where we went: Detroit, MI📍
What we did: Isabelle Styslinger landed in Motor City to convene with hard tech innovators, advocates, and backers at Reindustrialize. On the agenda: conversations on combining cutting-edge technology with manufacturing expertise to revitalize and scale the American industrial base, followed by dinner with women investors and founders in the space, including Atomos CEO Vanessa Clark.
Where to go: Start the day with coffee and the biscuit brekky at Folk, find secondhand gems at Mama Coo’s and Flamingo Vintage, and check out the latest exhibition at MOCAD, a former-auto-dealership-turned-contemporary-art museum.
Where we went: Austin, TX📍
What we did: David Hall went southwest to catch up with team Knit — the AI-powered market insights platform making research more accessible, efficient, and affordable for consumer brands. Read up on the Austin-based company’s latest milestones (including a product launch and $9M financing led by Rise of the Rest) in Axios.
Where to go: Learn about the Lone Star State at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, head to Saddle Up for an ideal trio of beer, barbeque, and baked goods, and end the day on a high note with live tunes at the Continental Club.
Where we went: Las Vegas, NV📍
What we did: Alex Shtarkman took the stage at Blueprint 2024 alongside executives from Airbnb, Greystar, Marriott, and Mint House to explore how brands, both established and new, are reimagining the guest experience.
Where to go: Catch an immersive show at The Sphere, head to Esther’s Kitchen for homemade three-day sourdough pizza, and get a treat (you deserve it!) from Luv-It Frozen Custard.
Where we went: Burlington, VT📍
What we did: Jamie Rodota returned to the Green Mountain State for See Change Sessions’ flagship event, where he joined innovators from across the country for conversations on connecting communities and fostering economic opportunity in rising cities. A highlight from the placemaking track: Hula Lakeside Founder Russ Scully’s session on how the Hula campus drew inspiration from collaborative spaces like NewLab to create a central hub for Vermont’s entrepreneurs.
Where to go: Stroll through Church Street Marketplace to shop and dine in the heart of Burlington, bike the Colchester Causeway for incredible views of Lake Champlain, and stop by Citizen Cider for a 100% Vermont-brewed flight.
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