Steve Case, a businessman and investor best known as the former CEO and chairman of America Online (AOL), visited Buffalo, N.Y. this fall to speak with startups on the theory he discusses in his new book, “The Rise of the Rest".
The American Dream is thriving. Just not where you might be thinking.
Outside of the coastal regions that are known for innovation and technology, such as New York and Silicon Valley, small businesses and entrepreneurs are seeing a boom - a theory that Steve Case explores in “The Rise of the Rest”.
Case came to Buffalo ahead of local startup incubator 43North’s 2023 annual competition, which presents $1 million to five winning startups each year. 43North president Colleen Heidinger interviewed Case about how small cities like Buffalo can thrive in this new wave of business.
Following the interview, Case also held a private session with founders of past 43North competition winners. One of the companies present for the Q and A was Twipes, a 2022 competition winner from London, U.K. that makes truly flushable and truly biodegradable wet wipes.
With regard to Twipes’ unique position being a startup present in both the U.S. and U.K., Case told Twipes Co-Founder Ellenor McIntosh that he believes the countries are not so different. He said there may be differences in consumer trends, with one side of the market leading another – that the U.K. may follow the lead of the U.S. or vice-versa.
In the late 2010s, Case’s investment firm Revolution launched two $150 million investment funds to help fund startups between the U.S. coasts. In his recent ventures, Case has invested in over 175 companies in over 80 cities, including Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Detroit, and St. Louis.
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