AZ-VC is a Phoenix-based venture capital firm launched in 2022 with the mission of accelerating innovation outside traditional coastal markets. The fund was anchored by Pinnacle West Corporation, alongside a group of limited partners largely based in Arizona, including Western Alliance Bancorp, Trinity Capital, and Salt River Project.
AZ-VC focuses on Series A investments in companies that are post-revenue and have demonstrated strong product-market fit.
Its goal is to back founders who have validated traction and are ready to scale their businesses, particularly those emerging from markets historically underserved by coastal VC firms.
In September 2025, AZ-VC announced the launch of its second fund, building on the momentum of its $115 million Fund I. The new vehicle continues the strategy of supporting regional startups with proven growth potential.
Leadership
The firm is led by Managing Partner Jack Selby, an original employee and former executive at PayPal, who is also a Managing Director at Thiel Capital, Peter Thiel’s family office. Selby brings decades of experience in scaling startups and deep networks within the global venture ecosystem.
Investment Strategy
AZ-VC’s strategy blends local anchoring with Silicon Valley expertise, using its LP base and Arizona roots to surface strong companies while applying rigorous product-market fit criteria.
The fund targets scaling opportunities in non-coastal ecosystems, positioning itself as a bridge between regional talent and global venture capital.
Notable Investments
Fund I has backed companies such as:
These investments highlight AZ-VC’s interest in deep tech, SaaS, and data-driven platforms.
Notable Exits
No notable exits have been publicly disclosed to date, as the portfolio remains relatively young.
Other
AZ-VC has become an important player in Arizona’s innovation ecosystem, leveraging strong corporate and institutional partnerships to build a sustainable pipeline of startups ready for scale.
