The Flannel Rocket #13: The Tuebor Pledge Report with Chris Thomas and Reilly Brennan

On a very special episode of The Flannel Rocket, host Pete Martin sits down with Chris Thomas of Assembly Ventures and Riley Brennan of Trucks Ventures to discuss the rise of the Tuebor Pledge - a personal commitment to invest in at least one Michigan-based business each year.
‍

‍

Both guests are powerhouses in the Michigan venture capital and mobility investment space. Thomas, a Michigan native, left Wall Street and Yale to return home and help revitalize Detroit. His journey from working in Ford’s skunkworks group to launching early mobility VC fund Fontinalis Partners - and later, Assembly Ventures - underscores his deep belief in the state’s future. Brennan, who spent years in California’s transportation sector, moved his family back to Michigan during the pandemic, driven by a renewed passion for the Michigan startup ecosystem.

Together, they co-created the Tuebor Pledge, inspired by the Latin word “Tuebor” (“I will defend”) from the Michigan state flag. But Tuebor isn’t a fund or firm. It’s a movement: a decentralized, grassroots effort encouraging Michigan investors, alumni, and supporters - regardless of their location or wealth - to back local companies. Whether it’s a $1 stock purchase on Robinhood or a $1M seed round check, every investment counts if it helps build the future of Michigan.

The 2024 Tuebor Annual Report highlighted investments across sectors and regions: from Bloom, a hardware manufacturing platform backed by Detroit Venture Partners and MSU Research Foundation, to Mongers’ Provisions, a beloved Southeast Michigan cheese shop.

Tuebor champions inclusivity—anyone can join. The website, tuebor.org, outlines how to make your pledge. Many add “Tuebor Investor” to their LinkedIn profiles to spark conversation and inspire others. This isn't just about money—it’s about rebuilding Michigan’s entrepreneurial economy from the ground up, with no state mandates or political ties.

The episode also emphasized Michigan’s strategic positioning. With the highest number of engineers per capita, top-tier supply chain universities like Michigan State, and a booming clean tech and advanced manufacturing sector, the state is primed to lead in a redomesticated U.S. economy. Cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Marquette are all seeing a surge in startup growth, founder connectivity, and investor interest.

What sets Michigan apart, Thomas and Brennan argue, is its culture of collaboration and grit. “It’s earned, not given,” said Thomas. “We’re in a window of time where the things Michigan has always been great at - logistics, mobility, manufacturing - are more important than ever.”

For those watching from afar, Tuebor offers an entry point to join the momentum. One company, one year, one pledge at a time.