7 memorable quotes — and one unforgettable picture — from Rise of the Rest

There were hundreds of great ideas, discussion points and a-ha moments during the 12 or so hours the Rise of the Rest tour was in St. Petersburg and Tampa on Wednesday.

Many of them have been touched on in a series of stories this week as the St. Pete Catalyst covered the initiative by venture capitalist and Revolution Chairman and CEO Steve Case to focus on promising startups outside of the major technology hubs.

See previous coverage here.

Here are seven other memorable quotes that shouldn’t go unnoticed.

“When our entrepreneurs succeed we succeed. While we may not be Silicon Valley or other similar places, we are St. Pete true and true and I believe that is our biggest asset. All you have to do is ask our local entrepreneurs.”

— St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman at the Rise of the Rest breakfast at Station House

“If we are going to unlock the key to this lack of venture capital in our state, we have to capture some of the estimated 128,000 families in the I-4 corridor who are potential accredited investors. As of today we probably have less than 500 across the I-4 corridor, people who are active venture capital investors.” — Alex Sink, chair, Tampa Bay Wave

“There are a lot of public private partnership and the magic that’s happening and the thing that’s making a difference in the last couple of years is how we’re joining these partnerships together. The work that’s happening with Embarc, Synapse and others. They are coming together and mobilizing and thinking thoughtfully across the region. I think that’s the thing that will make a difference. It already has. It made today happen.” — Alison Barlow, executive director, St. Pete Innovation District

“The Rise of the Rest tour is meant to be a fire-starter, a catalytic moment to foster a deeper relationship with the community.” — Anna Mason, partner, Rise of the Rest Seed Fund

“When you’re out on the dance floor, the spotlight only comes on you a few times, so when it does, dance your ass off!”— Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, addressing entrepreneurs at the Rise of the Rest Pitch competition

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor at the Rise of the Rest Pitch Competition

“We can’t accomplish 20 years of progress overnight, but we can do our best to make 20 years of progress in 10 years.” — Jeff Vinik, owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning and an investor in the Rise of the Rest seed fund

“About 250 years ago, America was a startup … and we built a leading economy. That was the work of entrepreneurs like all of you. My challenge to you is, how do we continue to build that legacy.” — Steve Case, chairman and CEO, Revolution

And, here’s one photo that sums up much of the day — Case hard at work and play with Kyle Taylor, founder and CEO of The Penny Hoarder, a personal finance website in St. Petersburg.

Kyle Taylor (left), CEO of The Penny Hoarder, playing air hockey at the company with Steve Case