The Frisco Economic Development Corp. has announced what it calls the first-ever Venture Capitalist In-Residence (VCiR) in North Texas, with Jon Nordby selected as the 2025 Frisco VCiR.
FEDC said that the VCiR program is part of its four-pillar innovation strategy. The program’s goal is to help connect a broader network of investors to Frisco while expanding the city’s footprint as a hub for linking high-value tech startups with funding sources.
“The Frisco City Council set the visionary goal for Frisco to be the capital of venture capital in the central United States by 2040,” Jeremiah Anderson, director of innovation for the FEDC, said in a statement. “Frisco has seen great success during the past four years with exits for more than 35 startups and nearly 100 new investments in startups. Even with this tremendous success, we are just scratching the surface. With Jon’s vast experience and our vibrant local ecosystem, Frisco is ready to make waves in the world of venture capital investors and tech startups.”
Nordby, described by FEDC as a startup and investment industry expert, is the managing partner for Anthropy Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm.
The Frisco VCiR is a pilot program that will focus on building partnerships, representing Frisco at investor events, engaging new VC firms and corporate venture capital funds, curating investment opportunities for investors, and supporting the local corporate innovation ecosystem while advancing Frisco’s overall venture capital strategy, FEDC said.
Becoming a VC hub
Frisco has more 400 startups and 13 corporate innovation and research development centers.
Other cities and states have launched programs to attract investors, but no other city or state has publicly declared the goal of becoming a venture capital hub and dedicated resources to the effort, the FEDC said.
“Frisco represents a rare convergence of resources, talent, and access which creates the perfect environment to redefine investing in the central United States,” Nordby said in a statement. “I am inspired by Frisco’s unique access to capital, industry collaboration, and problem-solving culture. Together, we will unlock the region’s differentiated assets, streamline capital flow, and build a thriving hub for innovation and commercialization. This is an extraordinary opportunity to position Frisco as a global leader in venture capital and innovation, and I am honored to be selected as Frisco’s first Venture Capitalist in-Residence.”
Nordby is the founder of EconWerx and nonprofit Anthropy Constructive, both of which partner with governments, universities, economic development organizations, and corporations to build unique and differentiated innovation ecosystems.
Previously, Nordby worked for the Greater Houston Partnership where he oversaw the creation and spin out of Houston Exponential and the HX Venture Fund, a corporate Fund of Funds. Nordby teaches at the University of Houston’s Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, the highest ranked undergrad entrepreneurship program in the country.
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