A Series B for Local Legends, a New Startup Program, and Fueling the American Dream
Here is everything we published in the last week
Here’s everything AZTF News published this past week. We’re always looking for specific types of content—so if there’s something you’d love to see more of, let us know! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and we’ll see you next week.
Fast FWD: Phoenix’s New Accelerator Helping Software Startups Hit $300K ARR
PHX FWD has officially launched the Fast FWD Accelerator, a 12-month program designed to help early-stage software founders in the Valley grow from ~$100K in ARR to $300K and beyond — a stage that’s often overlooked by traditional accelerators.
AirGarage Raises $23M Series B to Reinvent Parking Infrastructure
AirGarage announced a $23 million Series B funding round in July 2025 . The financing was led by Headline, with participation from existing backer Founders Fund and new investor Fourthline Capital . The San Francisco–based company was co-founded in 2017 by three Arizona State University students – Jonathon Barkl, Chelsea Border and Scott Fitsimones – who launched the startup to address campus parking woes. What began as a student app for renting out home driveways has since become a full “parking facilities operating system” for real estate owners.
Cartel Coffee Lab Brews a New Future Through StartEngine
To report on this story, I (Mat Sherman) interviewed the President and COO of Cartel Coffee, Jesse Pangburn. Harper Writes then took that interview and turned it into this story. We hope you enjoy!
VC Village Is Coming to Phoenix—and It’s Exactly What the Investor Scene Needs
If you’ve ever tried to navigate Phoenix’s early-stage investing scene, you’ve probably noticed something odd. Despite the growth, the momentum, and the wave of founders building interesting companies here—investors often feel… disconnected.
Phoenix Tech Entrepreneur Chris Matthieu Joins RealSense as VP of Developer Ecosystem
Chris Matthieu, a veteran Arizona tech entrepreneur, has announced he is taking on a new role as Vice President of Developer Ecosystem at RealSense. Matthieu shared the career update in an online post, saying he’s “happy to share that [he’s] starting a new position” leading developer outreach at RealSense. RealSense – originally an Intel division – develops advanced
Rebuilding the American Dream in a Box (Starting in Arizona)
As housing costs soar across the U.S., a bold Arizona-based startup is taking a factory-floor approach to one of the nation’s biggest crises: affordability. Founded in 2019 by entrepreneur and former Arizona State Senator Bob Worsley, ZenniHome is on a mission to mass-produce high-quality, tech-enabled, and sustainable homes—at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional construction.