Nevada’s Startup Ecosystem in 2025: Key Players, Trends, and Opportunities

Nevada’s startup scene in 2025 looks a lot different than it did just a few years ago — and in the best way possible. What was once a modest, under-the-radar community has steadily transformed into one of the country’s most interesting emerging markets for early-stage companies. Founders are solving real problems, new investment vehicles are fueling growth, and policy changes are making it easier for Nevadans to invest in their own backyard.

What makes this ecosystem different is the people. It’s the founders building in industries where others hesitate, the leaders advocating for the startup community at the state level, and the organizations quietly laying the groundwork to make Nevada a legit place to launch and scale a company.

Here’s a look at the people, trends, and opportunities defining Nevada’s startup ecosystem in 2025.

The People Moving the Needle
The growth of Nevada’s startup community is driven by a handful of leaders who’ve been quietly (and sometimes loudly) putting in the work for years. These folks aren’t just making headlines — they’re building companies, infrastructure, and opportunity for others.

Jeff Saling — Co-Founder & Executive Director, StartUpNV
Jeff has been at the center of Nevada’s startup ecosystem for years. Through StartUpNV, he’s created a statewide network of incubators, accelerators, and venture funds designed to support Nevada founders at every stage. With over 1,000 companies in their network and more than $77 million in capital facilitated, Jeff’s work is a big reason Nevada has a startup ecosystem worth paying attention to in 2025. He was also instrumental in the passing of Assembly Bill 75, which created the Nevada Certified Investor category — a legislative change enabling more Nevadans to invest locally.

Piotr Tomasik — Founder, TensorWave
In the AI infrastructure race, most startups run to Nvidia. Piotr Tomasik is building an alternative. His company, TensorWave, is a Reno-based cloud provider specializing in AI workloads via AMD Instinct GPUs. Beyond compute access, TensorWave’s enterprise inference platform, Manifest, offers private, secure storage and supports larger context windows for AI applications. It’s a Nevada-grown company with global ambitions, and another sign that cutting-edge tech isn’t limited to the coasts.

Maryssa Barron — Founder, BuildQ
Maryssa Barron is bringing long-overdue innovation to the construction industry. Her startup, BuildQ, helps contractors manage workflows and projects with modern software tailored for the unique challenges of the trades. This year, she took home the top prize at AngelNV 2025, Nevada’s largest startup pitch competition. It’s a big win not just for Maryssa, but for female founders and vertical SaaS startups in Nevada.

Cisco Aguilar — Nevada Secretary of State
A champion for Nevada’s startup and business communities, Cisco Aguilar’s office has actively supported initiatives to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. His advocacy alongside leaders like Jeff Saling helped push through Assembly Bill 75, creating a more accessible path for Nevada residents to invest in startups through the Nevada Certified Investor designation. Cisco’s commitment to economic development makes him a vital player in fostering the state’s innovation economy.

Juston Berg — VP of Entrepreneurial Development, EDAWN
In Northern Nevada, Juston Berg is one of the most active supporters of early-stage founders. Through his role at EDAWN (Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada), Juston works to attract, retain, and grow startups in the Reno-Tahoe region. A software engineer and blockchain entrepreneur by background, Juston leads programs like Reno Startup Week and helps founders navigate everything from customer acquisition to venture fundraising.

Ecosystem Trends Shaping 2025

A lot has changed in Nevada’s startup environment over the last year. Here’s what’s making the biggest impact:

Certified Investor Legislation is Paying Off
When Assembly Bill 75 passed in 2023, it quietly unlocked a major opportunity for Nevada’s startup ecosystem. The bill created a new “Nevada Certified Investor” designation, allowing state residents with a certain income or net worth threshold to invest in local startups without the typical SEC accredited investor requirements. The result? More capital staying in Nevada, and a faster path to raising seed rounds for founders.

AI Infrastructure and Workloads Find a New Home
Companies like TensorWave are leading a broader movement to build AI infrastructure outside of Silicon Valley. Reno’s affordable energy, growing tech talent pool, and proximity to major West Coast markets make it an ideal hub for AI compute, model training, and enterprise inference tools. Expect more companies to follow Piotr Tomasik’s lead in the next 12–24 months.

Niche SaaS and Vertical Tech Are Having a Moment
Startups like BuildQ and others in Nevada are capitalizing on underserved vertical markets — industries where digital transformation has been slow. Construction, logistics, hospitality, and energy are ripe for disruption, and founders here are stepping in to solve problems with purpose-built, founder-led software.

Opportunities on the Horizon

For founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders looking to plug into Nevada’s startup community, 2025 presents some real opportunities:

Early-stage capital is more accessible than ever — with programs like FundNV, AngelNV, and the 1864 Fund actively deploying money into Nevada startups, and new Certified Investors entering the market thanks to AB75.

AI and cloud infrastructure are Nevada’s next big sectors — as more AI workloads move to alternative infrastructure providers like TensorWave, and as state universities expand AI research programs, there’s a clear opportunity to carve out a niche in this rapidly growing category.

The construction, energy, and hospitality industries are begging for innovation — startups like BuildQ prove there’s a market for tools that make traditional businesses run better. Expect to see more niche SaaS companies popping up across Nevada in the next couple of years.

Community events and accelerators are scaling up — with Reno Startup Week, Las Vegas Startup Weekend, and new founder education programs from StartUpNV, it’s never been easier to connect with other founders, investors, and mentors.

Closing Thought

Nevada isn’t trying to be the next Silicon Valley — and that’s exactly why it’s working. Founders here are solving real problems, building sustainable businesses, and creating opportunities for others along the way. The people listed here are just a few of the names driving that momentum in 2025.

As capital access improves, AI infrastructure takes hold, and policy keeps pace with innovation, Nevada’s startup ecosystem is primed for its next big chapter. And the best part? It’s happening because of the founders, not despite them.

What Founders Should Know About Patents

Hot Takes from FounderNV Master Glass Session “Myths & Realities of Patents” with Demetris Paraskevopoulos

FounderNV’s Master Glass speaker series is designed to bring world-class experts to share valuable knowledge with local founders and investors in Nevada’s startup ecosystem. These sessions give attendees practical insights into the challenges of building early-stage startups, debunk common myths, and create space for enriching discussion — all over a glass of wine, a cold brew, or a mocktail (like our faves from local startup Lowtail Mocktails).

In March, FounderNV hosted Demetris Paraskevopoulos at Woven Workspaces in Las Vegas. Hailing from Greece, Paraskevopoulos is a global patent strategist, startup investor, and intellectual property (IP) expert specializing in high-tech sectors. He has worked closely with early-stage startups to help them build patent portfolios that are not only defensible, but valuable.

This session included expertise and discussion on:

✅ Patent strategy

✅ The value of patents

✅ When to file a patent application

✅ What patents mean for investors

Drawing from decades of experience, Paraskevopoulos brings more than legal theory to the table — he helps founders focus on what’s worth patenting and how IP can support business outcomes. During his session, titled “The Myths and Realities of Patents,” he offered a frank take on where most startups go wrong with IP – without the sugar coating.

Did you miss this Master Glass? Not to fret, we’ll share some of Demetri’s insights and hot takes in this blog.

What is Patent Strategy?

“Not every invention should be patented. The patent portfolio should be considered what the military would call a perimeter defense, not a single patent.”

For founders, patenting extends beyond securing intellectual property. It requires strategy – being intentional with which inventions you patent, thoughtfully structuring your portfolio, and analyzing how each patent contributes to your business goals.

Companies with strong protection often hold multiple active patents across all geographical markets they currently- or plan to- operate in, forming a defensive moat. But not every invention is worth the investment. “Some of them are redundant or frivolous,” Paraskevopoulos explained. “So, how you put together the right portfolio from an economic point of view is very important.”

A solid patent strategy balances technology, legal, and business factors. It starts with getting the right inventors listed – including everyone who contributed to the invention, not just those with seniority. It also involves a thoughtful approach to the tradeoff: although (granted) patents offer 20 years of protection, each application demands time, money, and resources. And, most importantly, a patent is not required to bring a product to market. Founders planning their patent strategy often ask, “Is this worth patenting?” This strategic thinking is the first step to smart patent strategy.

The Value of Patents

“Patents are the dominant value of companies of today.”

When patents are high quality and aligned with business goals, they can offer massive strategic value. As Paraskevopoulos put it, “In essence, what the government has given you is the exclusive right to threaten competitors – [the right] to sue them for patent infringement if they use your invention.” This right can translate into royalties, licensing fees, or litigation leverage — forming a powerful safeguard around a company’s most valuable intangible assets.

Most patents filed by startups and small firms have defensive value — protection against copycats or future litigation. But the real treasure lies in assertive value — when a company successfully asserts its patent rights against a larger infringer.

“If the defensive value of the patent is in the millions,” Paraskevopoulos explained, “the assertive value can be in the hundreds of millions.” That’s a tenfold return, a benefit often overlooked by founders and investors alike.

When Should You File a Patent?

Before filing a patent, it’s natural to want to share your great, new idea with the world. However, premature disclosure can jeopardize your ability to protect your intellectual property. As Paraskevopoulos warns, you should keep the “how” of your product a secret until it is protected, stressing, “You can disclose what your invention is all about, but not the ‘how.’”

Timing is everything when filing a patent. “If you disclose your invention before you file for a patent, you lose the right to file a patent unless the disclosure is under a nondisclosure agreement,” he explained. In other words, if your invention becomes public before you secure protection, you may lose the opportunity to fully safeguard your intellectual property.

If you’re not ready to file a full patent but need to move quickly, you can submit a provisional application. Provisional applications give you a priority filing date and temporary protection for your asset. Provisional patents are not a patent alternative, as you must file a full, non-provisional application within 12 months to preserve your rights.

The takeaway? File early, file smart, and don’t overshare until your intellectual property is protected.

What Patents Mean for Investors?

Patents are a key part of a company’s valuation and are often a make-or-break factor during due diligence. Protected assets can assure investors that their investments will be backed by something defensible. However, it is important to consider the quality of a company’s patents when deciding to invest. A startup’s patent portfolio can be a valuable asset, sometimes serving as the only significant asset.

However, not all patents are created equal. Demetris stressed that “four out of five patents that people have invested money in have no value.” Investors must consider the quality of a company’s patents – not just the quantity. This means that patents that are strategic, defensible, and economically meaningful will provide investors with the most confidence in a startup.

Strong patents come with an extra benefit through litigation investments. As Paraskevopoulos shared, “There are huge billion-dollar companies that invest in litigation outcomes, including patent infringement litigation.” Along with protecting intellectual property, patents can unlock new opportunities for funding – ultimately leading to a successful business outcome.

Takeaways

The main takeaway from Demetris Paraskevopoulos’ FounderNV Master Glass is that patents aren’t just legal tools, they are strategic assets in a business’ entrepreneurial landscape. Founders and investors must ensure that a company’s patents align with their business goals by investigating patent strategy, financial timing, and the value of patents. This means asking the hard questions early: Is this worth patenting? Does this align with our business goals? Will this hold value in the long term? Securing your assets with a thoughtful, reliable patent strategy can lead to a competitive advantage, investor confidence, and even extra financial returns.

Special thanks to Demetris Paraskevopoulos for sharing his deep expertise and practical insights to help founders and investors understand the real power of patents!

Recapped for your reading pleasure by Izabella Hedjazi