upside

Interview begins: 7:40
Debrief begins: 45:20

In this episode, we are discussing the challenges and opportunities of economic growth outside Silicon Valley with Patrick Mckenna, Managing Partner and founder of One America Works; a non-profit focused on addressing the geographic, economic divide across the country.

Patrick started as a technology officer for the Army, then continued his career as a mergers and acquisitions banker on Wall Street. After he started his own company, he began his journey, trying to create a unique vision of the world and the ways companies access their talents nowadays.

Today, Patrick is going to talk about the importance of analyzing and understanding the conditions in which today's talents are being formed and how this knowledge can set significant leverage for people who are starting their companies outside Silicon Valley and other technological matrices in America.

Key Points:
Why the valley as the headquarters? (10:50)
Working in and out of the valley (14:53)
Getting started in terms of location (18:10)
Talent Resourcing (22:05)
Four Elements in investing (26:00)
Regional Investing (27:35)
One America Works (29:17)
High rating cities (39:31)

Learn more about One America Works: https://oneamericaworks.org/
Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm

Connect with Patrick: https://twitter.com/patrick_mckenna

This episode is sponsored by Integrity Power Search, the #1 full stack high growth startup recruiting firm between the coasts. They partner with venture capitalists, private equity groups and CEOs to build amazing teams for the world’s most disrupting companies.

Learn more about or get in touch with Integrity Power Search: https://upside.fm/integrity

This episode of upside is sponsored by Tresta. Tresta is a mobile app that lets you do business calling and texting from anywhere. With Tresta, you can set up your business phone number, download the app, and start calling and texting UNLIMITED right away.

Tresta is the best business phone app on the market, whether you’re a founder or freelancer / just starting your business, or you’re already established. Growing your network and your business is all about communication. You’ve got to be available, no matter where you are. Tresta offers the call management features that empower you to communicate smarter and more efficiently, like auto attendants, call recording, user groups, and more. And you don’t need any special equipment – just the smartphone you’re already using. Tresta is easy to configure, so you can set everything up yourself – all online.

It’s just $15 per user per month, with no contract, so start your free 30-day trial today at https://tresta.com/upside

-

This episode is also sponsored by RIMS.

RIMS is a global organization dedicated to the profession of risk management. For nearly 60 years, RIMS has delivered the latest strategies and resources that allow risk professionals to grow, innovate, and succeed—in any business.

RIMS works with industry leaders to produce content and online training that business professionals turn to. Topics include business continuity, cyber risk, risk management techniques, the fundamentals of insurance and more. There is also a private, members-only site where people can discuss sensitive issues and get honest answers. Members have been leaning on each other as we all navigate the global pandemic.

If you're concerned about the safety of your employees and the sustainability of your organization, you need the resources and connections RIMS provides. Learn more at https://go.rims.org/upside. You can save 25% off a year-long membership.

Show Notes

Interview begins: 7:40
Debrief begins: 45:20

In this episode, we are discussing the challenges and opportunities of economic growth outside Silicon Valley with Patrick Mckenna, Managing Partner and founder of One America Works; a non-profit focused on addressing the geographic, economic divide across the country. 

Patrick started as a technology officer for the Army, then continued his career as a mergers and acquisitions banker on Wall Street. After he started his own company, he began his journey, trying to create a unique vision of the world and the ways companies access their talents nowadays.

Today, Patrick is going to talk about the importance of analyzing and understanding the conditions in which today's talents are being formed and how this knowledge can set significant leverage for people who are starting their companies outside Silicon Valley and other technological matrices in America.

Key Points:
  • Why the valley as the headquarters? (10:50)
  • Working in and out of the valley (14:53)
  • Getting started in terms of location (18:10)
  • Talent Resourcing (22:05)
  • Four Elements in investing (26:00)
  • Regional Investing (27:35)
  • One America Works (29:17)
  • High rating cities (39:31)

Learn more about One America Works: https://oneamericaworks.org/
Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm

Connect with Patrick: https://twitter.com/patrick_mckenna


This episode is sponsored by Integrity Power Search, the #1 full stack high growth startup recruiting firm between the coasts. They partner with venture capitalists, private equity groups and CEOs to build amazing teams for the world’s most disrupting companies.

Learn more about or get in touch with Integrity Power Search: https://upside.fm/integrity


This episode of upside is sponsored by Tresta. Tresta is a mobile app that lets you do business calling and texting from anywhere. With Tresta, you can set up your business phone number, download the app, and start calling and texting UNLIMITED right away.

Tresta is the best business phone app on the market, whether you’re a founder or freelancer / just starting your business, or you’re already established. Growing your network and your business is all about communication. You’ve got to be available, no matter where you are. Tresta offers the call management features that empower you to communicate smarter and more efficiently, like auto attendants, call recording, user groups, and more. And you don’t need any special equipment – just the smartphone you’re already using. Tresta is easy to configure, so you can set everything up yourself – all online.

It’s just $15 per user per month, with no contract, so start your free 30-day trial today at https://tresta.com/upside

-

This episode is also sponsored by RIMS.

RIMS is a global organization dedicated to the profession of risk management. For nearly 60 years, RIMS has delivered the latest strategies and resources that allow risk professionals to grow, innovate, and succeed—in any business.

RIMS works with industry leaders to produce content and online training that business professionals turn to. Topics include business continuity, cyber risk, risk management techniques, the fundamentals of insurance and more. There is also a private, members-only site where people can discuss sensitive issues and get honest answers. Members have been leaning on each other as we all navigate the global pandemic. 

If you're concerned about the safety of your employees and the sustainability of your organization, you need the resources and connections RIMS provides. Learn more at https://go.rims.org/upside. You can save 25% off a year-long membership.

What is upside?

Named a top 27 business podcast by Fortune, upside examines startup investing outside of Silicon Valley.

Every Wednesday, we speak with an early stage founder. We interview them as if we are angel investors considering the company as an investment opportunity.

Each show has three segments:

1.) Intro: independent research of the company
2.) Interview: interview with the founder
3.) Debrief: breaking down the opportunity

Sometimes, we share Coffee Chats interviewing venture capitalists, community builders, and later-stage founders.

Subscribe and see why Business Insider called our podcast "Almost as Good as Getting an MBA."