Story of Legendary Entrepreneur Steve’s Tech Hub Expansion

When you think of a thriving tech scene, San Francisco and the Bay Area probably come to mind. Steve Case has spent most of his career expanding the tech scene. out of the Bay Area bubble.

“I recognize that great ideas are everywhere and great entrepreneurs are everywhere,” said Case. “But for many people … they don’t really have the opportunity to change them. [ideas] to companies. “

In this episode of Office Hour, AOL co-founder and Revolution CEO and Chairman Steve Case talks about his work at Revolution and the journey to founding AOL, one of his most important contributions to the Internet. He talks about empowering the tech community through his experience as an entrepreneur.

“People really didn’t believe there was a mass market on the Internet,” Case said of his early career. “Of course it proved otherwise. And suddenly I saw the same expression [of judgment] Ten years ago, when we started talking, in people’s eyes [The Rise of the Rest.]”

The Rise of the Rest Seed Fund is a revolutionary initiative aimed at accelerating the growth of early-stage startups across the country. Valuations and arbitration are lower in less competitive sectors, giving investors more opportunities to back early-stage companies not based in the Bay.

“With so much capital concentrated in places like Silicon Valley, I think it’s also a great investment opportunity,” said Case.

According to Case, most VCs invest about 75% of all funds in just three states: California, Massachusetts and New York. But it’s getting better — with the pandemic and virtual meetings becoming the norm, Case believes people are more open to listening to startups outside of major tech hubs.

No matter what… Keith’s bus tours, which started about eight years ago, are very popular.

“We decided to go on a trip to see for ourselves what was happening in some of these cities,” he said. “It’s a way of learning about companies, learning about these cities, and trying to do what you can do when you’re there. We would like to meet and hopefully cooperate with each other in the future.”

Case says that communities are essential for cities to become vibrant tech hubs.

“The talent part is obviously tied to that. The community collaboration part is important,” Case explained. “But one of the things he said was really catalytic was the success of a company that I’ve seen this in LA and people were like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that was possible here.’ There are these big companies. And some of the people who were part of that company, after gaining experience scaling the company, decided they wanted to start another company. “

With a wealth of experience and expertise, Case has compiled many of his learnings into a book. Remaining Rise: How Entrepreneurs in Amazing Places Are Building the New American Dream, came out last year. In this book, Case details the importance of connecting entrepreneurs and changing stereotypes about technology.

“How do you create a platform that allows you to have a broader impact instead of starting another company and having it be your next move?” Case said.

dot.la Social and Engagement Intern Gitanjali MahapatraContributed to this post.

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