The Great 38™ is the Greatest Untapped Engine in Venture.
Coastal VCs are missing the real growth engine: the South, Midwest, and Mountain West. At DVRGNT Ventures, we call it The Great 38™ — where 60% of GDP and 67% of Americans live.
There’s a massive arbitrage opportunity sitting right in the middle of America. And most investors are still flying over it.
While around 80% of venture capital dollars flow to the coasts, the core of America’s economic output — and its long-term growth potential — sits in what we call The Great 38™.
What Is the Great 38™?
It’s our trademarked name for the 38 states across the South, Midwest, and Mountain West. Together, they make up the most economically and culturally powerful region in the U.S. — if you’re actually paying attention.
Here’s what the data says:
67% of the U.S. population lives in the Great 38™
60% of U.S. GDP is generated here
Yet less than 25% of venture capital reaches the region
This disconnect isn’t an accident — it’s a miscalculation by firms still stuck in a coastal feedback loop.
Why This Region? Because This Is Where America Lives
When we say “underinvested,” we’re not just talking about capital access. We’re talking about overlooked value generators:
77% of Black Americans live in the Great 38™
66% of all U.S. women
55% of the Latine population
That’s not just demographic weight — that’s cultural and economic leadership. And yet? Entire venture ecosystems are pretending these communities and regions don’t exist.
We don’t see this as a social gap. We see it as the strongest alpha opportunity in the game.
From Thesis to Traction
Our financial model doesn’t rely on a unicorn lottery ticket. It’s built on intentional founder enablement, strategic network leverage, and measured risk.
Our 10-year roadmap is built to cycle capital, not just park it. We invest early, support aggressively, and exit with precision.
When we say we target 4x+ returns, it’s not a marketing line. It’s a product of disciplined pipeline development and rigorous founder alignment.
Why We Rebranded the Region
“Middle America” sounds like a second-tier destination. Like innovation and leadership live somewhere else.
We don’t buy that. The Great 38™ reflects what this region really is: a powerhouse of production, population, and potential. It’s time the capital caught up.
The future isn’t coastal. It’s continental.™ And we’re building it, one founder at a time.
We’d love for you to join the conversation:
For Investors:
What products have you seen gain unexpected momentum because of their cultural cachet, maybe even through a surprising media alignment?
For Founders:
Are you building a product with inherent cachet that’s ready to capture the imagination of tastemakers, especially from the Great 38? We want to hear from you.
Apply at the link below to learn more about our founder-first approach.