The Comeback Cities Tour Brings Awareness and Connections to Columbus Startups
Representative Tim Ryan (OH-13) and Venture Capitalists from across the U.S. Hear from Local Entrepreneurs and Investors
While it’s true that the majority of the nation’s venture capital is concentrated on either coast, venture capitalists from across the country are becoming more aware, interested, and open to investing in opportunities in the Midwest.
Rev1 Ventures, named the Most Active VC in Ohio by PitchBook for the past five years, invested alongside 65 co-investors, seasoned venture funds from the U.S. and beyond. We are always working to build more relationships with those who see the value in the entrepreneurs and their companies in our region.
In that spirit, we and several of our portfolio companies participated in the Comeback Cities Tour sponsored by Representative Tim Ryan (OH-13). More than a dozen venture capital firms from the Bay Area, New York, and Chicago flew in to meet and talk with the founders and CEOs of Columbus-based startups. Partners from the City of Columbus, the mayor’s office, and Franklin County also participated.
Representative Ryan set the tone with opening remarks about revitalization across Ohio and specifically about Columbus’ contribution. A frank and open conversation between visiting VCs and the entrepreneurs followed.
We talked about the advantages this region offers, for example, our engaged base of Fortune 100 corporates and the spinout technology, investment funds, and other resources from our Innovation Partners, like The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and OhioHealth. The entrepreneurs made clear their highest priority needs—later-stage capital and senior tech talent.
There are many exciting aspects to engaging with entrepreneurs and startups here in Columbus. One of the most exciting is to observe the growing awareness, enthusiasm, and respect for the momentum and accomplishment of Columbus’ entrepreneurs.
Thanks to Representative Ryan for creating these connections. Thanks to the VCs who traveled to Ohio to see for themselves the opportunity here, and especially thanks to the CEOs of these and all the other startups in Columbus for great ideas, tenacity, and results.
