D.C.-based venture firm’s Tech Talent Tour will include Clubhouse conversations with startup leaders from 16 cities and a virtual career fair offering connections with hiring managers
May 10, 2021 (WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Revolution’s Rise of the Rest, a nationwide platform and seed fund dedicated to supporting and investing in entrepreneurs outside the coastal tech hubs, announced today that it is hosting the virtual Tech Talent Tour on June 22-24, 2021 (full agenda below). The event seeks to educate job seekers about startup job opportunities in cities outside of Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston, and connect them with startup leadership from across the country actively looking for talent.
The pandemic has created a “shake the snow globe moment,” where many people are rethinking what they do and where they do it. At the same time, the startup economy continues to grow across the country. More than 70% of the companies surveyed in the Rise of the Rest Seed Fund portfolio report having increased headcount during the past 12 months, and there are currently more than 1,000 open roles, across 50+ cities on the Revolution website. The increase in remote work has enabled tech talent to work from anywhere, broadening the pool of candidates available to startups located across America. According to Upwork’s “Future Workforce Pulse Report,” the number of remote workers is expected to double by 2025.
“As a founder, building the right team is paramount to success,” said Steve Case, CEO and Chairman of Revolution and Co-founder of AOL. “Yet we often hear from entrepreneurs and startup ecosystem builders, in cities outside the coastal tech hubs, about the challenges of recruiting and retaining talent. The pandemic, however, has the potential to redefine how and where people work. We see the Tech Talent Tour as bringing together those interested in life and employment outside of Silicon Valley with startup opportunity.”
The city spotlight conversations on Clubhouse will include a diverse range of startup, political, and cultural leaders from within each city to discuss what it’s like to live in their community. The virtual career fair will feature sessions with select hiring managers and founders from startups across the country who are hiring for a range of roles. Attendees will have the option to submit resumes, ask questions, and discuss qualifications.
To help engage job seekers, Rise of the Rest has partnered with the following companies and organizations that have expertise in educating, training (and retraining), and supporting individuals as they move throughout their career: 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), AnitaB.org, InHerSight, Powderkeg, Purpose Jobs, and Valence.
“Rise of the Rest is committed to accelerating and encouraging more diverse startup communities,” said Anna Mason, Managing Partner at Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund. “These tour partners will allow us to bring together a pool of job seekers that is reflective of our country to help support the growth of inclusive startup communities.”
2U, an education technology leader that powers over 150 tech-related boot camps in partnership with nonprofit universities worldwide, is also developing a digital toolkit for all Tech Talent Tour attendees. The toolkit will include tips from hiring managers and helpful industry insights from startups in the Rise of the Rest portfolio.
Tech Talent Tour Agenda
June 22nd – City Spotlights (Revolution’s Startups Across America Club on the Clubhouse App)
12:00pm – 1:00pm ET: Chicago, Northwest Arkansas, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Indianapolis
3:00pm – 4:00pm ET: St. Louis, Detroit, Baltimore, Denver
June 23rd – City Spotlights (Revolution’s Startups Across America Club on the Clubhouse App)
12:00pm – 1:00pm ET: Austin, Phoenix, Lincoln-Omaha, Madison
3:00pm – 4:00pm ET: Dallas, Miami, Salt Lake City-Provo, Atlanta
June 24th – Virtual Career Fair with Intro from Steve Case & Guests (link available upon registration)
12:00pm – 12:30pm ET: Intro session
12:30pm – 2:00pm ET: Career Fair Session #1
2:30pm – 4:00pm ET: Career Fair Session #2
Tech Talent Tour Partners
2U @2Uinc
2U partners with more than 75 great nonprofit universities to power world-class online higher education, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional certificates, boot camps, and short courses. Together with its partners, 2U has positively transformed the lives of more than 300,000 students and lifelong learners.
AnitaB.org @AnitaB_org
Anita B. org envisions a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. They connect, inspire, and guide women in computing, and organizations that view technology innovation as a strategic imperative. AnitaB.org hosts the Grace Hopper Celebration of women in computing.
InHerSight @InHerSight
With company reviews that intentionally reflect what women want to know about employers, InHerSight is helping millions of women advance their careers, and find the companies and jobs where they will thrive.
Powderkeg @PowderKegCo
Powderkeg is a growing community of more than 10,000 tech entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals who are building innovative companies across America in areas beyond Silicon Valley. They leverage real relationships and information from thousands of companies to help job seekers find the best opportunities in tech.
Purpose Jobs @purposejobs
Purpose Jobs is the Midwest’s largest startup and tech community. They connect top talent with purpose-driven companies based on values, experience, and culture contribution.
Valence @ValenceInc
Valence’s mission is to create new paths to success for Black professionals. With 15,000+ members, the Valence platform connects, showcases and empowers emerging Black executives through career opportunities and executive development, with an eye toward a future where there are generations of Black professionals who are skilled in the art of business.
ABOUT REVOLUTION’S RISE OF THE REST
Revolution’s Rise of the Rest is a nationwide platform led by Steve Case focused on spotlighting regional startup hubs. The Rise of the Rest Seed Funds invest in early stage, high growth companies across the country. The team partners with regional ecosystem leaders and co-investors to build and scale the next wave of transformational startups. The Rise of the Rest Seed Funds are backed by a group of iconic entrepreneurs and business leaders who believe that the next great startups are located outside of coastal tech hubs. The Rise of the Rest Seed Funds are headquartered in Washington, D.C. and part of Revolution’s family of funds including Revolution Growth and Revolution Ventures. Visit us online at https://www.revolution.com/entity/rotr/ or @RiseOfRest.
CONTACT:
Tracy Zuckerman Van Grack
Senior Vice President, Revolution
Tracy.VanGrack@revolution.com
