Frisco is not only home to major corporations like PGA of America, TIAA and Ruiz Foods, but it is also becoming a magnet for startups led by dynamic entrepreneurs and innovators.
The city has gained a reputation as a thriving hub for emerging businesses and startups such as Areto Labs, Spike Technologies and Wild.AI, offering a unique ecosystem that fosters growth and creativity.
Frisco EDC is part of the reason the city has been so successful in brining in new companies. “The EDC’s expertise is the corporate attraction work that brings new jobs to the community,” Frisco EDC Director of Innovation Jeremiah Anderson tells Local Profile.
According to Anderson, the city’s success in attracting startups can be attributed to several key factors:
- Tech Talent
Frisco serves as the hub of Dallas-Fort Worth's tech workforce, with over 66% of the region's talent reachable within a 30-minute commute. - Meaningful Partnerships
Frisco hosts 14 corporate innovation hubs and R&D centers, where leading companies collaborate with early-stage technology to stay ahead in their industries. - Great Schools
Frisco's K-12 public schools foster future leaders through incubator and accelerator programs at multiple high schools and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA). - Investment Opportunities
Many offices based in Frisco actively pursue tech investment opportunities, supporting startups, early-stage ventures and emerging technologies.
Now, Frisco Wants More Startups
As Collin County attracts new businesses, Frisco is focused on drawing startups. To support this, the city appointed Jon Nordby as the first VP of Corporate and Innovation Recruitment (VCiR). The VCiR program aims to attract investment by building relationships with venture capital and corporate funds, showcasing Frisco as a top market for tech growth.
Nordby, a lifelong Texan, grew up in Houston before moving to Dallas in 2001. For the past decade, he’s focused on building innovation ecosystems and the infrastructure that supports them worldwide. Now, he will help Frisco do the same.
According to Nordby, the primary objective is to establish Frisco as the central hub for venture capital activity in the U.S. However, if done correctly, the focus extends beyond just closing deals. Thriving innovation ecosystems are driven by connected communities, engaged stakeholders, a steady flow of high-quality deals and sufficient capital to support businesses from their early stages through growth and eventual exit.
“We have a unique opportunity here to do something that not only brings more capital into the ecosystem but also makes sure that capital, and the deals that come with it, are high-quality and aligned with Frisco’s strengths,” Nordby tells Local Profile. “We’re not just looking for any investment; we’re looking for the right investment that makes sense for the region.”
How Frisco Will Get More Startups
One of Nordby’s key responsibilities is to encourage local economic development stakeholders to think beyond traditional boundaries. While the focus remains on driving regional economic growth, there is also an effort to introduce innovative and creative approaches. Achieving this requires building high-level partnerships that unite governments, universities, corporations, entrepreneurs and investors. To ensure success, aligning the incentives of all parties involved is essential.
“The FEDC wants to create high-quality jobs and drive economic prosperity, investors are looking for better and more consistent deal flow, and founders need not just capital but access to problem holders and strategic partners who can help them commercialize their innovations more effectively,” Norby added.
The focus extends beyond financial investments to include strategic partnerships that benefit all parties involved. Whether it's founders, problem-solvers, angel investors, venture capitalists or corporate venture arms, the goal is to create opportunities that foster innovation and growth in Frisco by aligning the incentives of everyone involved.
“That’s how we’re going to build a sustainable ecosystem that attracts the right kind of capital and the right kind of ideas,” Nordby said. “And that’s how we’ll make Frisco the place to be for venture capital in the central U.S.”
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