Name: Rob Solomon
Hometown: Penfield, NY
University: Cornell University ’12
City: Las Vegas, NV
Small Business Group, Downtown Project
What initially attracted you to Venture for America?
The free sandwiches at the information session were what got me into the VFA information session. The chance to have real responsibility, work on some amazing projects and make an impact at the early stages of a company’s development are what made me apply.
What is the best part of being a VFA Fellow?
Aside from the well-vetted list of companies to work for, I really enjoyed the strong relationships established among the Fellows and staff. Most of that came from the five week training camp and has continued through to today. It’ll be great to see what any member of this group accomplishes and to see how the Fellows’ paths intertwine in the future.
What does Downtown Project do?
The Downtown Project is focused on revitalizing downtown Las Vegas by investing in small businesses, tech startups, education, and real estate.
What do you do on a typical day at work?
I work in the small business group, which invests in ventures like restaurants, nail salons, laundromats, etc. A typical day entails reviewing and responding to submissions from potential entrepreneurs and working with current operators on anything from legal docs to social media.
What’s your favorite thing about Las Vegas?:
The best part about Vegas is that there is absolutely always something going on. Never a dull night here.
What do you hope to accomplish in your time with VFA?
I want to learn exactly how to start my own company so that I can build something awesome with a few friends in the future.