Northern Arizona Investment Ecosystem

FEBRUARY 10, 2026

NORTHERN ARIZONA’S NEXT MOONSHOT

The Opportunity We're Missing

Flagstaff has Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered. We have NAU's cutting-edge research. We have entrepreneurs building remarkable companies at 7,000 feet.

But we're sending our best ideas down the mountain to Phoenix for capital.

What if we kept the value here?

The Vision

Moonshot is exploring the creation of Northern Arizona's first dedicated angel investment fund—a community of local investors backing local founders.

Not because Phoenix funds are bad. But because proximity matters.

Because a Flagstaff investor understands why a tourism tech company needs to launch before ski season.

Because a Sedona entrepreneur knows which NAU researchers are sitting on commercializable IP.

Because our founders deserve investors who get the unique advantages—and challenges—of building a company in Northern Arizona.

Why This Matters Now

For Founders:

  • Access to capital without leaving the region

  • Investors who understand mountain town realities

  • Mentorship from people who've built businesses at altitude

  • A community that celebrates patient, sustainable growth

For Investors:

  • First-mover access to Northern Arizona dealflow

  • Lower competition than Phoenix or Scottsdale

  • Portfolio companies you can visit in 20 minutes, not 2 hours

  • Direct community impact you can see and measure

For Our Region:

  • Keep entrepreneurial talent and wealth local

  • Create the next generation of Northern Arizona business leaders

  • Build an ecosystem that attracts (and retains) innovation

  • Prove that you don't need to move to the Valley to build something great

Your Voice Shapes This

We're not just building a fund. We're building our fund.

This 5-minute survey helps us understand:

  • What founders actually need (beyond just capital)

  • What investors are looking for (beyond just returns)

  • What structure makes sense for our unique geography and community

  • Whether Northern Arizona is ready for this

Your input determines if this is a moonshot worth taking.

Take the Survey

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY

Whether you're:

  • A founder with a napkin sketch or a growing business

  • An experienced angel investor or someone exploring their first deal

  • A community member who believes Northern Arizona can punch above its weight

We want to hear from you.

Because the best investments aren't found on pitch decks.

They're found in our backyard.

About Moonshot

For 24 years, Moonshot has been Arizona's champion for rural entrepreneurship. We've worked with 147 businesses across 18 rural communities, helping create 333+ jobs and generate $30M+ in economic impact.

Now we're asking: What if we could multiply that impact by connecting Northern Arizona capital with Northern Arizona innovation?

Let's find out together.

Complete the Survey