Summer Tour 2025
Network Math on the Rise
“Every few years, there’s a new discussion about where all the best companies get built – the US, Europe, remotely…forget all of it.
What matters isn’t the country or city—it’s the network. Your startup isn’t just a product, it’s a node in a system. And where you place that node has compounding effects.
This key principle is often lost in emotionally charged discourse. For example, founders in Europe are often told they must move to the US to be successful. But that general advice doesn’t hold up to the most basic scrutiny. You can simply point to great European companies like Spotify, or Klarna and the hundreds of fast-growing startups there as a counterargument. Not to mention a cadre of strong Israeli startups. Success comes in many environments and forms.
That said, we often speak with founders in the US and abroad about the “network math” – or unseen forces that hasten a company’s success. These networks create currents of advantage that the best founders know how to ride. Where you decide to build your company is a major contributor to that network math.” - The Network Effects of Where You Build by Anna Piñol Pete Flint &Valerie Osband Mahoney at NFX
So I had written a completely different post and was about to press send when I came across the piece from NFX linked above (thanks to a LinkedIn post by Desiree Vargas Wrigley) and felt compelled to write something totally different.
The tldr of the article is that founders need to think about where they’re building and seriously consider moving if that will improve the “network math” for their company.
If you’re a founder in the Midwest, this is surely a POV you’ve heard before. And while this article is actually pretty nuanced about it, when you hear it in real life it’s almost always followed with a plea that you move your company to the coast.
We all know there is truth to what they say about networks. And I think we all agree there really is value to being near the center of gravity for a particular industry. But if you’re reading this - I have a feeling that you’ll also probably agree with me when I say that the coastal startup networks of the last two decades can’t continue to be the only places with gravitational pull (In fact, maybe the companies to solve some of our current problems need to by pulled by a different type of gravity all together.)
I obviously think the place you choose to build your company is enormously important. But I think the calculous is changing and the speed they discuss in the post is just one of many variables to consider. I also believe that truly innovative companies redefine place all the time and become their own gravity.
Those are the companies I’m excited to watch y’all build.
But density does matter so with that in mind - let’s get to work on leveling up our collective “network math”… (drum roll)
It’s back!!! We’re again hitting the road and coming to an ecosystem near you. Mark your calendars.
MIDWEST HOUSE SUMMER TOUR 2025
Global Entrepreneurship Congress - Indy - June 2-5
Summerfest TECH AI - Milwaukee - June 24-25
REINDUSTRIALIZE - Detroit - July 16-17
Tech Chicago Week - Chicago - July 21-24
RTRX - Columbus - July 29 - August 1
Tech Week Grand Rapids - September 15-20
RALLY - Indianapolis - September 24-25
A2Tech 360 - Ann Arbor - October 2-3
Michigan Tech Week 2025 - TBD
Details will be dropping in the coming weeks, but we’re very much still on the lookout for co-conspirators. Holler if you’ve got ideas or would like to get involved yourself.
It’s going to be one crazy summer, y’all, and our math is about to be so good.