The Rise of the Rest: How Entrepreneurs Will Help Build the American Dream

Overview
Steve Case presents a forceful argument that the future of the American Dream depends on energizing entrepreneurship beyond the familiar coastal technology hubs. Built around the Rise of the Rest initiative he cofounded, the book blends narrative profiles, data-driven analysis, and prescriptive ideas to argue that mid-sized cities and rural communities hold the keys to broader economic renewal. The tone is pragmatic and optimistic, urging a broad coalition of investors, policymakers, and local leaders to shift attention and capital toward overlooked regions.

Central Argument
Case contends that concentrated economic growth in a few superstar cities has hollowed out many communities and reduced social mobility. He frames entrepreneurship as the most promising path to rebuild local economies, create jobs, and expand opportunity. The argument centers on correcting a capital geography problem: talented founders and promising startups exist nationwide, but they lack the access to venture funding, mentorship, and networks that Silicon Valley and New York provide.

Profiles and Storytelling
Personal stories and on-the-ground reporting give the book much of its energy. Case highlights entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and investors who have built companies and ecosystems in a wide range of places, illustrating how local context shapes opportunity. These profiles show not only success stories but also the frictions that hold back scaling: weak talent pipelines, limited follow-on capital, and infrastructure gaps. The narratives function as both inspiration and diagnostic evidence for the broader prescriptions.

Investment and Strategy
A central practical focus is how to move capital and expertise to emerging ecosystems. Case emphasizes the importance of early-stage financing, local angel networks, and patient growth capital that understands the longer timelines of regionally rooted companies. He also makes a case for national investors to adopt a decentralized mindset: deploy smaller bets across many regions, back local GPs and funds, and combine financial returns with place-based impact. The book argues that this diversified approach can yield both competitive returns and stronger national economic resilience.

Public-Private Policy Proposals
Case advocates a mix of federal, state, and local policies designed to level the playing field. Broadband expansion, workforce development, and tax and regulatory reforms feature prominently, as do strategies to leverage anchor institutions, universities, research hospitals, and legacy companies, to catalyze startup growth. He calls for incentives that encourage founders to build companies where they live and for public procurement and infrastructure projects to prioritize local innovation. The recommendations are intentionally pragmatic, aimed at creating catalytic conditions rather than top-down mandates.

Critiques and Limitations
The book acknowledges structural barriers that complicate regional revitalization, including entrenched inequality, declining population in some rural areas, and the challenge of creating vibrant talent ecosystems. Skeptics might question how scalable some of the success stories are or whether shifting national capital flows can overcome broader macroeconomic forces. Case addresses these tensions by emphasizing patient, iterative work and local leadership, though some readers may wish for more detail on measuring long-term outcomes.

Conclusion
The Rise of the Rest is both a manifesto and a roadmap for a more geographically inclusive American economy. It reframes entrepreneurship as a distributed solution to national challenges, arguing that targeted investment, civic collaboration, and policy nudges can unlock entrepreneurship across the map. For readers interested in regional development, venture investment, or civic entrepreneurship, the book offers a hopeful and actionable case for reshaping where and how the American Dream is pursued.