Ian Ross

Ian Ross

Since 1999 Ian has provided services to assist cities to envision, enable, and realize their desired future. My background in economics and urban design has positioned OppSites at the intersection of city planning and private sector investment.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/ian-ross/15/b71/7a0
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ianwolfeross
Oakland, California, United States
Accredited investor
Member since March 26, 2014
Quote
Since 1999 I have assisted cities to envision, enable, and realize their desired future. My background in economics and urban design has helped position my company at the intersection of city planning and private sector investment. Now we are creating technology to assist hundreds of cities to do the same. OppSites will connect city priorities with a national network of investors. We are creating an entirely new type of high value real estate listing - increasing investment opportunities, reducing risk, and expanding revenues for municipalities, investors, and developers. Quote_down
  • About
Investor interests
Type of investor Angel
Typical investment size $100k - $250k
Typical investments in a year 10
Categories of interest
Locations of interest
Credentials Accredited Investor
Education
Cornell University , MA , Urban Design / Economics
I am a(n):

Entrepreneur

Companies I've founded or co-founded:
City Design Collective, OppSites - m
Companies I work or worked for:
OppSites, City Design Collective, City Design Collective
Achievements (products built, personal awards won):

American Planning Association (California Chapter) Award for economic revitalization and urban design - San Fernando Corridor Specific Plan; Policy framework for the revitalization of underutilized property along the city's three primary corridors.

If you're an entrepreneur or corporate innovator, why?

We recognized that cities simply lack an efficient tool to communicate with prospective investors. e their goals

My favorite startups:

Fundrise, Ioby

What's most frustrating and rewarding about entrepreneurship/innovation?

We enjoy spending our days at the edge of the unknown, both in terms of product development and anticipating our client's needs. Everyday is like sailing into uncharted waters: we encounter new problems and devise new solutions accordingly. Of course, we also encounter unforeseen setbacks, and are learning to adapt to an ever changing bar menu.

What's the No. 1 mistake entrepreneurs/innovators make?

Failing to recognize a bad idea.

What are the top three lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?

Listen to everybody. Even if you disagree with the content, it's crucial to nderstand the thinking behind the opinion being expressed.

Delegate until it hurts.

Keep cool.

Full bio

Ian founded OppSites to empower cities to take an active role in revitalizing their communities.

The need for OppSites grew out of Ian's 15 years of experience providing urban design and economic revitalization strategies to dozens of California cities, and witnessing firsthand how many communities fail to achieve their goals simply because they lack an effective tool to communicate their priorities to prospective investors.

Ian is the Founding Principal of City Design Collective, and Oakland based urban design firm that provides strategies, policies, capital improvement plans, and  development regulations critical to the revitalization of downtowns, corridors, waterfronts, and mixed-use neighborhoods. Ian is an experienced public speaker and frequently leads educational public workshops, design studios, and charrettes.

Ian received his Masters degree in Urban Design from Cornell University, and holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Rochester.