In the Corner of Founders Everywhere

Yaz is the kind of investor every founder dreams of having in their corner: sharp, strategic, tireless, and fiercely devoted to their success.

From the moment Yaz joined Emergence as an Associate in 2019, his energy, grit, and passion for supporting entrepreneurs have been his hallmarks—and the results speak for themselves.

“Yaz represents the best of Emergence’s values,” says GP Joseph Floyd. “He’s diligent, humble, a consummate team player, extremely high integrity, and deeply invested in the success of our founders.”

A Full-Stack Investor

Yaz splits his time between B2B infrastructure and application-layer companies, with a deep understanding of what it takes to build transformative businesses at both levels of the stack.

On the infrastructure side, he’s made his mark partnering with companies like Together.ai, Mechanical Orchard, and Arcee.ai, helping to shape their growth strategies and product visions.

At the application layer, Yaz works with standout startups like Unify, Maze, and Assembled, where his commitment to supporting founders extends far beyond deploying capital.

Take Unify, for example. Yaz partnered with GP Jake Saper to recommend Emergence’s Seed and Series A investments. But long before the first check was signed, Yaz worked to earn the trust of CEO Austin Hughes, showing up in big and small ways to support both the founder and the company.

“Yaz is the kind of investor who is in your corner morning or night,” Austin says. “He’s made pivotal customer and employee intros. And he’s truly immersed himself in our space, enabling him to provide critical strategic guidance.”

The Heart of a Fighter, the Soul of a Builder

Yaz’s journey has been fueled by a unique blend of determination and empathy. As a collegiate boxer, he learned to stay composed under pressure and think three moves ahead—skills he brings to every deal and boardroom. And as the grandson of a Palestinian refugee turned entrepreneur, Yaz’s passion for empowering founders is deeply personal.

“He’s got that rare combination of high IQ, grit, and emotional intelligence,” says Jake. It’s that combination that makes Yaz not just a great investor but a trusted partner to the founders he works with.

Ready for This Moment

Yaz’s diligence is relentless, his curiosity boundless, and his generosity of spirit unmatched.

“Yaz has acted like an owner of our firm from day one,” we wrote when he was promoted to Principal. “His insane work ethic and generosity of spirit are embodied by the most common feedback in his 360 reviews: ‘I love working with Yaz.’”

Yaz, you’ve been in the corner for so many founders, now you’re officially in the ring as a Partner of Emergence Capital. We couldn’t be prouder to have you leading, mentoring, and championing the next wave of extraordinary companies. We know you’ll continue to lead with the same humility, tenacity, and founder-first mindset that has made you such a wonderful colleague to everyone at Emergence.

Here’s to many more victories—both for our founders and for you! 🥊🎉