Rev1 at the Peninsula hits early milestones with first scaleup tenant, 50-plus members

Rev1 Ventures has announced that its downtown Columbus innovation hub has signed its first Scaleup Suite tenant and surpassed 50 members just two months after opening.

RWX, a software company co-founded by Dan Manges, is the first company to lease space in the second-floor Scaleup Suites at Rev1 at The Peninsula. The suites range from 1,900 to 3,500 square feet and are designed for companies at a growth stage that need dedicated office space without leaving the startup ecosystem behind.

"The Peninsula is designed for founders at every stage, from first-time entrepreneurs to companies, like RWX, that are at a pivotal point in their growth," Manges said. "With right-sized offices, shared amenities, and day-to-day connections with other founders, it provides the mentorship, community, and resources needed to scale successfully."

The first floor of the hub spans 14,500 square feet and includes a founder lounge, event space, and flexible membership options. The more than 50 members who have joined since launch represent a mix of pre-seed and seed-stage software and advanced technology startups, along with a smaller number of later-stage companies, investors, and startup support organizations.

Tom Walker, CEO of Rev1 Ventures, said the early traction aligned with what the organization anticipated. Rev1 has spent more than 14 years managing innovation space and working with hundreds of companies across the region, and Walker said that history gave them a clear read on what founders in Columbus needed.

"We've had a clear view into what founders need and where the gaps exist," Walker said. "Based on that, we expected strong interest in a space like this."

Rev1 cited research indicating that startups using physical workspaces grew revenue 3.5x faster than those that did not, and that companies leveraging Rev1's innovation spaces historically raised 2.5x more capital than comparable startups. Walker said those figures draw from a combination of industry research and Rev1's internal performance data, which the organization uses to benchmark outcomes against national comparisons.

Member Yon Raz-Fridman, a serial entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience building venture-backed technology companies, said the environment is designed to keep founders productive and connected.

"Where you work is an important part of growing a business, particularly in today's environment," Raz-Fridman said. "This space creates an environment where founders can stay focused, learn from each other, and tap into a community that understands the challenges of building and scaling a company."

Rev1 at The Peninsula was developed with support from the City of Columbus and Downtown Columbus, Inc. Walker described the arrangement as a long-term financial commitment from the city, with DCI playing a key role in activating the Peninsula as a hub for innovation and economic growth. Rev1 also contributed to the buildout of the space.

Walker said additional Scaleup Suite announcements are expected soon, with more companies anticipated to move in as they reach the next stage of growth.

A year out, Walker said success means a fully activated space with a strong mix of early-stage and scaling companies working alongside each other daily. The metrics he's watching: membership growth, Scaleup Suite occupancy, and founder outcomes including capital raised, revenue growth, and jobs created.

"Creating density is the goal, and we're already seeing that take shape," Walker said. "The space is active, people are showing up, and those day-to-day interactions between founders, partners, and investors are happening in a meaningful way."

Rev1 Ventures is a Midwest venture studio focused on SaaS/AI, deep tech, and life sciences. More information on membership is available at rev1ventures.com/peninsula.