Newsletter #1214 - 8.14.2026

Wrapping up the week with some news for runners and drivers.

Specifically, we're talking about a startup that can help you get real feedback on your running gear, and we're diving into why ParkMobile, now under the umbrella of the global company Arrive, is still building and growing in Atlanta.

Let's get going...

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Startup To Watch: Consultant-turned-entrepreneur Katie Begando used to buy the same running shoes on autopilot. Every time a new model dropped, she rebought it without so much as trying it on. Then, deep into a 12-week block of training for a half marathon, the latest version arrived fundamentally redesigned, and she hated it. To find better running gear, she build Bluubird, which Begando calls the "Goodreads for gear." Tech Square ATL has the story.

The big headline: ParkMobile was a darling of the Atlanta tech scene for years. Now, under the umbrella of the global mobility company Arrive, the company is helping cities brace for the autonomous vehicle boom and the friction of commuting. More here.

People To Know: In their mid-20s, Floridians Justis Mendez and Pablo Casilimas raised their $5 million flagship fund that got LP backing from “notable UF alumni” like the Gatorade family and former CFO at Tableau. But they got their start hosting startup meetups at the University of Florida. Meet the team here.

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