AZ-VC Doubles Down on Startups Beyond the Coasts 🌵🚀

Veteran venture investor Jack Selby (formerly of PayPal, now managing director at Thiel Capital) is betting big on startups outside the traditional tech hubs. Three years ago, Selby launched AZ-VC , a$115M venture fund focused on Arizona startups—on the belief that companies beyond Silicon Valley and New York were undervalued. That bet is paying off: the fund has already made 25 investments, with over half seeing valuation increases. Now, Selby is preparing to raise Fund II, targeting between $230M and $460M. This next chapter will expand AZ-VC’s reach to promising startups across the U.S.—with one big caveat: still excluding the crowded coastal hubs. Why this strategy? Lower valuations in emerging regions mean investors get more upside. Strong local talent pools—especially in Phoenix—are proving they can build at scale. Overlooked ecosystems are ripe for growth, even as capital continues to flood AI-heavy Silicon Valley. Despite today’s tough fundraising climate (high rates, slower IPOs), Selby’s track record and global investor network give him confidence that capital will follow. His team—joined by industry leaders Jason Pressman and Jessica Pacheco—is positioning AZ-VC as the premier venture platform for nontraditional markets. 👉 Arizona and beyond: the future of tech isn’t just on the coasts. 💡 Want more stories like this?

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