Revolution Team
September 2, 2025
5 min read
This spring and summer, we logged miles across the map — digging into climate conversations, seeing how American-made hardware gets built, celebrating portfolio milestones IRL, and bringing founders and investors together to talk shop. Here’s a look at where we went, who we met, and why locals always offer the best lens.
Where we went: Chicago, IL 📍
What we did: In June, we convened the Rise of the Rest portfolio in the Windy City for a quick but candor-filled itinerary focused on founder-to-founder conversations and tactical tools that work in the field, not just in theory. We capped a jam-packed 24 hours with a community happy hour, where the Chicago ecosystem showed up and out despite the afternoon’s thunderstorms. Catch the full Fly-In recap.
Where to go: Grab coffee from Logan Square favorite, Daisies, explore the Intuit Art Museum’s collection of self-taught artist works, and book a table at Kasama — a Michelin-starred Filipino-American spot that lives up to the hype.
Where we went: Baltimore, MD 📍
What we did: Baltimore’s PAVA Center hosted our latest Beyond Silicon Valley Series stop — this one focused on the business of climate innovation. The conversation made one thing clear: climate tech remains investable, and in so many ways, inevitable. With cost savings on the table and real-world impacts mounting, the opportunity for returns, resilience, and new solutions is stronger than ever. Read takeaways from the panel.
Where to go: Browse the soaring stacks at the Peabody Library, grab steamed crabs on the rooftop at LP Steamers, and explore the Rawlings Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for a lush escape.
Where we went: Raleigh, NC📍
What we did: Mahati Sridhar co-hosted the NC Women in VC dinner with Customers Bank and Pappas Capital, convening a group of Southeast-based investors backing companies across stages and sectors. The conversation echoed what we’re seeing in the Triangle: growing founder density, more capital flowing in, more talent sticking around post-graduation, and more recognition as a life science innovation hub.
Where to go: Start your morning with naturally leavened loaves at Boulted Bread, explore textile and ceramic collections at the Gregg Museum of Art & Design, and round out the day at Brewery Bhavana, where you can enjoy dim sum, browse books and blooms, and sip a house-brewed beer all under one roof.
Where we went: Los Angeles, CA📍
What we did: At the Milken Global Conference, David Hall joined finance, policy, and tech leaders for a panel on inclusive growth, discussing how capital, regulation, and public-private collaboration can expand access and build economic resilience. Catch the conversation.
Where to go: Get your Tijuana-style street food fix at Tacos 1986, stroll through Vista Hermosa Park for skyline views, and end the night at Largo at the Coronet, where comics like Marc Maron and John Mulaney test new material.
Where we went: Seattle, WA📍
What we did: Todd Klein headed west to the Evergreen State to catch up with the Carbon Robotics team and get a firsthand look at their autonomous weeding robots in action (and the manufacturing plant where they’re built). From the factory floor to the field, the American-made machines are a shining example of leveraging AI to solve real-world problems in cornerstone industries right here, right now.
Where to go: Start your morning with donuts at General Porpoise, browse the shelves at Elliott Bay Book Company, catch the classic skyline view from Kerry Park, and wrap the day with the catch of the day at RockCreek.
Where we went: Austin, TX📍
What we did: At the Mercury Fund CXO Summit, Mahati Sridhar joined founders and funders driving startup growth across Middle America and caught up with Buildforce CEO Moody Heard. The South’s operator energy — hands-on, fast-moving, and increasingly well-capitalized — was on full display.
Where to go: Start the morning with a walk among native blooms at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, stop by Radio Coffee & Beer for caffeine and tacos, and keep it classic with a round of mini golf at Peter Pan, an Austin institution since 1948.
Where we went: New York, NY📍
What we did: Isabelle Styslinger joined team Knit to celebrate their Series A with a Nasdaq Tower takeover — a milestone moment for the company reimagining how brands gather insights. Not far away, Mahati joined the Forbes Iconoclast Summit to talk tech, culture, and what’s ahead with fellow investors and founders.
Where to go: Veer off the tourist path to the Morgan Library, a museum and rare book archive that houses the original private collection of J.P. Morgan, then grab a sandwich from Court Street Grocers (you really can’t go wrong), and if you’re looking for a bench and breather, the Tudor City Greens offer a pocket of calm just a short stroll from Midtown.
Where we went: Washington, D.C.📍
What we did: It was a busy season on our home turf. Todd joined NVCA at a House Commerce Committee meeting to discuss AI in healthcare and the role companies like Tempus and Pathos play in advancing the industry. He also attended the D.C. AI Summit, where the administration’s national AI action plan made its debut. Back around the office, the Revolution Ventures team welcomed new team member Hark Ahluwalia with a round of mini golf.
Where to go: Pick up a pour-over at Dupont’s newly-opened Daily Provisions, explore The Phillips Collection’s modern art collection, and book dinner at Anju, where modern Korean comfort food meets an equally strong cocktail list.
And because no trip is complete without a good airport story (or at least a debate over the merits of window seats vs. aisle seats), we asked a few founders at our Fly-In for their quick takes.
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