Entrepreneurs in Las Vegas, Nevada have a wealth of resources at their disposal when it comes to finding co-founders and partners. The first step is to look within your personal contacts. Is there a colleague who might be interested in a side job? Or a friend from school who has an entrepreneurial spirit? You can also search for a co-founder within your extended network. For example, your brother-in-law's friend may run their own software house.
Alternatively, you could consider starting a joint venture with an active investor who may be interested in investing. StartupNV has partnered with government agencies to help manage several new programs for startups in Las Vegas. Mayor Carolyn Goodman believes that the city's growth is due to the way people now view Las Vegas and its potential for entrepreneurs. The Co-founder Network is made up of entrepreneurs who are already working on a project or have a plan in place and are looking for a co-founder to get to work. Michael Luciani, managing partner of the investment group Climate Capital, said the firm invested in Halo, which is headquartered in Las Vegas. A new free program has recently been launched to help Nevada entrepreneurs, and those interested have plenty of time to apply.
In recent months, several business incubators and accelerator programs have been launched in Southern Nevada, many of which focus on supporting and funding early-stage businesses in Las Vegas. Luciani said that the challenges include strengthening the higher education system and incorporating more Las Vegas-based funding groups, such as venture capital firms. Nevada is known for its gaming and tourism industry, but there has been a sustained effort to bolster the state's startup community, particularly in Las Vegas. Corporate interests and big business may dominate on the Strip, but some of the country's favorite family stores are located in Las Vegas, according to a new survey by Yelp and Entrepreneur. Jamie Schwartz, director of industrial and business participation in the UNLV Office of Economic Development, grew up in Las Vegas. The Birthday Suit, a Las Vegas waxing spa, has been open for 12 years but last year began its quest for domestic expansion.
Las Vegas-based startup Emulait launched its personalized bottles in March and has a waiting list of 50,000 customers according to its founder and CEO Shilo Ben Zeev. To continue strengthening the Las Vegas startup community, challenges need to be overcome that cannot be addressed “overnight” according to Saling. To this end, entrepreneurs should take advantage of all the resources available to them when it comes to finding co-founders and partners. From personal contacts to government programs and venture capital firms, there are plenty of options available for those looking to start their own business or join an existing one.
