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The Secret to Building a Strong Startup Advisory Board

Every founder has blind spots. It doesn’t matter how talented, experienced, or driven you are—there are gaps in your knowledge, perspective, and network. That’s where a strong advisory board comes in.

The best founders see advisory boards as an extension of the team, a group of people who can accelerate growth, open doors, and keep them from making costly mistakes. Yet too many startups treat the advisory board as an afterthought. They pull together names for credibility but never actually leverage the group.

Here’s the truth: a strong advisory board can be a startup’s major advantage. But only if it’s built intentionally.

What Makes an Advisory Board Valuable?
An advisory board is not a board of directors. Advisors don’t govern, and they don’t have fiduciary responsibility. That means you can shape the relationship in a way that works for your startup. The best advisory boards provide three things:

1. Expertise you don’t have.
   
2. Access to networks you can’t reach on your own.
   
3. Perspective when you’re too close to the problem.
   

If your advisors aren’t providing at least one of these, you may have the wrong people in the room.

How to Choose the Right Advisors
Founders often chase big names for their advisory boards. It feels good to say that a well-known investor or CEO is advising your startup. But the name doesn’t matter if they don’t show up for you. The best advisors are the ones who pick up the phone, make introductions, and give you honest feedback.

Look for people who fill gaps. If you’re a technical founder, find advisors who understand go-to-market, business and sales. If you’re a sales-driven founder, find advisors with product depth. Think about the next 12-18 months of your roadmap and ask: who can help me get there faster?

Compensation and Structure
Advisory roles should be formalized, even if they’re part-time. Most advisors are compensated in equity, usually a fraction of a percent, vested over one to two years. That structure makes sure both sides are invested without putting too much strain on your cap table.

Clarity is key. Define expectations up front:

• How often will we meet?
  
• What specific areas will you advise on?
  
• What outcomes should we expect?
  

The more specific you are, the more value you’ll get.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Advisors
Be specific. If you bring them vague problems, you’ll get vague answers. The founders who benefit the most are the ones who come prepared. Send an agenda before meetings. Share updates on progress and challenges. Ask for introductions to specific companies or investors, not just “help with networking.”

Treat your advisory board like a team, not a trophy. Give them context, make them feel included, and show them that their advice actually impacts the business. Nothing motivates an advisor more than seeing their contribution make a difference.

When to Build an Advisory Board
Don’t wait until you’re in crisis mode. The best time to start building your advisory board is before raising your first outside capital and preparing for growth. Early-stage advisors can make the difference between a startup that stalls and one that takes off.

If you’re pre-revenue, start with 1-2 advisors you trust. As you scale, expand. A mature startup might have 5-7 advisors with different areas of expertise. Beyond that, it becomes unwieldy.

Red Flags to Avoid
Not all advisors are created equal. Be cautious of anyone who asks for equity upfront without proving value. Avoid advisors who are spread too thin—they won’t prioritize your startup. And watch out for “advisors” who are really just angling for a consulting gig.

Your advisors should be aligned with your mission, excited about your vision, and genuinely invested in your success.

Final Thought
The secret to building a strong advisory board isn’t rocket science. It’s about intention, clarity, and trust. Surround yourself with people who complement your strengths, challenge your thinking, and open doors you can’t open yourself.

A strong advisory board doesn’t guarantee success—but it makes the path less bumpy. 

Let’s not overcomplicate it—people don’t invest in spreadsheets. They invest in people, in vision, in conviction.

If you’re a founder, storytelling isn’t a “nice-to-have” skill. It’s the foundation of your entire pitch.

Your story is your strategy. In the earliest stages of a startup, it might be your most valuable asset.

1. Start With “Why?”

Every great startup story answers one critical question: Why now?

 .. followed by: Why you?

What’s changed in the world that makes your solution necessary today? It could be a technological shift, a regulatory change, a generational behavior swing, or a broken status quo that’s finally untenable.

If you can’t explain why this moment is ripe for your startup, the rest of your pitch will fall flat.

“Even the best recipe is worthless without the right chef.”

You can have the perfect ingredients, timed perfectly with market trends and demand—but if the person behind it doesn’t know how to mix, adapt, or deliver it under pressure, it flops. Startups aren’t just about having the right idea at the right time. They’re about having you at the right time. Your unique insight, background, resilience, obsession—that’s what transforms a good idea into a company that wins.

2. Make the Customer the Hero

Your product isn’t the hero—your customer is. Your story should show how their life is hard or incomplete, and how your solution helps them overcome that pain or reach that goal.

This flips the narrative from “let me tell you what I built” to “let me show you why it matters.”

3. Structure Matters—Use the Classic Arc

Your pitch is a short film. So tell it like one.

Hook: Grab their attention in the first 30 seconds. A stat, a story, a provocative statement.

Problem: Describe the pain vividly. Make it feel real.

Solution: Your product/service—how it solves the problem.

Traction: What is your business model? Show signs that it’s working, or how you plan to reach (and convert) customers.

Vision: Where it’s going. How big is the market? Who are the visionaries behind the vision?

Ask: What you want and why now’s the time.

It’s simple, repeatable, and it works.

4. Numbers Are Proof, Not the Plot

Your metrics matter—but they’re not the story. They’re the evidence that backs it up.

Don’t overwhelm people with dashboards. Instead, use a few compelling, well-placed numbers that show growth, usage, retention, or market opportunity. Investors want to believe you know your numbers and what they mean.

5. Show Your Unique Insight

Every successful founder has a “secret”—an earned truth they discovered from being obsessed with the space.

Maybe it’s something customers told you in 50 interviews. Maybe it’s how your team solved a problem that everyone else ignored. That unique insight is a signal. It says, “We’re not just another startup. We know something others don’t.”

6. Practice Until It’s Natural

The best storytellers aren’t winging it. They’ve said it 100 times, buit feels natural because they know it cold.

Rehearse.Rehearse. Rehearse. Just like any other muscle, the pitch muscle takes repetitions to build strength. In front of friends. In front of teammates. Record yourself. Find the parts that don’t flow. Tweak. Repeat.

Don’t just memorize lines—understand your story deeply enough that you can adapt it in any room.

7. Tailor the Story to the Audience

A customer wants to know how it solves their problem. An investor wants to know how you win the market. A journalist wants to know what makes this new or important.

Same story. Different angles. Know the difference.

8. Be Honest—It Builds Trust

You don’t need to pretend everything is perfect. The best stories include moments of friction, pivots, mistakes. They show learning and that builds trust.

A good investor or customer isn’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for clarity, commitment, fit, and coachability.

The Real Takeaway:

Your story is not your deck. It’s how people feel after they talk to you. It’s what they tell someone else when they try to describe what you do.

That means your job is to make it easy to remember and hard to forget.

So next time you write your pitch, ask:

• Am I telling a clear story, not just presenting information?
• Does my story make my customer the hero?
• Am I backing it with real traction and insight?
• Is the tone honest, human, and hopeful?

The startups that win don’t just build. They obsess & they believe—and help others believe too.

Building a startup is often described as a rollercoaster—and for good reason. There are days when you feel invincible, like everything’s clicking into place. And then there are days when you wonder if it’s even worth it.

It’s not a weakness. It’s the weight of leadership.

And that emotional weight? If it goes unmanaged, it leads to founder burnout—something far more common than most are willing to admit.

Mental health isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s foundational. Without it, your creativity, decision-making, and relationships suffer. So let’s talk honestly about the real toll startup life can take—and what you can actually do about it.

Why Founders Burn Out

Let’s break it down:

• Constant pressure to perform
• Uncertainty about the future
• Financial stress
• Isolation and loneliness
• The inability to “shut it off”

These aren’t occasional headaches. They’re chronic, compounding stressors. And they don’t resolve on their own.

But the goal isn’t to remove pressure—it’s to build systems that help you carry it.

Here are real, practical strategies that have helped startup founders (myself included) shift from burnout to breakthrough.

1. Build Your Schedule Around Energy, Not Just Tasks

When everything feels urgent, it’s easy to pack your calendar with back-to-back meetings and 14-hour workdays. But that’s a fast track to exhaustion.

Example:
One founder I know blocks 8–10am daily for “deep work”—no meetings, no Slack, no noise. They also end their day with a non-negotiable 5:00pm “shutdown routine”: review tomorrow’s schedule, note top priorities, and close the laptop.

Try this:

• Use time-blocking to guard your focus.
• Identify your high-energy windows and reserve them for creative or strategic work.
• Create hard stops in your day—even if it’s just 30 minutes of nothing.

2. Get Out of the Bubble (Seriously, Leave the House)

Working from home (or a coworking space you never leave) makes it easy to drift into isolation. Without external input, your internal stress spirals.

Example:
A founder in our ecosystem started joining a weekly pickup basketball game—not for networking, just to sweat and reset. It became their weekly anchor, unrelated to KPIs or product timelines. The mental clarity it gave them? Game-changing.

Try this:

• Join a non-business group (sports, book club, volunteer work).
• Work one day a week from a new location (library, park, cafe).
• Schedule regular phone calls or lunch with founder friends—no pitching allowed.

3. Start Founder Therapy or Coaching (Before You Think You “Need” It)

There’s still a stigma around therapy, especially in founder circles where we’re expected to have answers. But you don’t have to wait until you’re in a crisis.

Example:
I know a founder who sees a therapist twice a month and a business coach once a month. The therapist helps them navigate anxiety, while the coach keeps them focused on growth goals. Together, they form a pressure-release valve that’s kept them in the game long-term.

Try this:

• Look for founder-focused mental health resources (ex: BetterHelp, Founders First).
• Find a peer group or support circle for entrepreneurs.
• Schedule regular “mental health check-ins” the same way you’d check financials.

4. Audit Your Notifications and Set Boundaries

Your phone is not your boss. Slack, email, texts—they’ll take as much of your attention as you allow.

Example:
A SaaS founder I interviewed has a “no notifications” phone setting from 8pm–8am. Their team knows to call if it’s a real emergency. The result? Better sleep, more presence at home, and sharper thinking during the day.

Try this:

• Turn off all non-essential notifications.
• Set communication boundaries with your team (and stick to them).
• Block a “no meetings” day each week to focus and breathe.

5. Make Your Mental Health a Line Item

If it’s not in the budget or your calendar, it won’t happen. Founders love to optimize for growth, but rarely apply that same discipline to personal sustainability.

Example:
Some founders budget monthly for wellness: therapy, coaching, gym memberships, even digital detox getaways. One founder I worked with gives their team a $100/month “mental health stipend” to model that it’s not only allowed, it’s encouraged.

Try this:

• Allocate a budget for personal well-being (and encourage your team to do the same).
• Schedule quarterly “founder days” to reset and reflect.
• Treat your mental health practices like meetings—with the same level of importance.

6. Reframe Rest as a Strategic Tool

There’s a toxic myth in startup culture that rest = laziness. But the truth is, rest is where your subconscious solves problems and renews clarity.

Example:
A founder I follow takes every seventh week fully off—no email, no Slack, no check-ins. Their team plans around it. They say their biggest product insights and strategic shifts always come during that downtime.

Try this:

• Plan regular breaks—even half-days off to recharge.
• Use weekends to do something completely unrelated to your business.
• Embrace rest not as a reward, but as fuel.

Final Thought: You Can’t Scale What’s Burned Out

Your company depends on you, but more than that—you depend on you.

Mental health isn’t a luxury. It’s not a “someday” item. It’s the foundation beneath every pitch, hire, and pivot.

So here’s the permission you don’t need but might be waiting for:
You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to ask for help. And you’re allowed to build something incredible without destroying yourself in the process.

Breakthroughs come when you stop pretending you’re invincible—and start building like someone who wants to do this for the long haul.

What is a Go-To-Market (GTM) Strategy?

A go-to-market strategy is your startup’s plan to introduce a product or service to the right audience with the right message at the right time. It’s about more than just launching—it’s about building traction, growing awareness, and creating a repeatable path to revenue.

Think of it like this: a GTM strategy helps you avoid shouting into the void. It’s a framework for getting in front of the people who actually care, in a way that actually works.

Whether you’re entering a new market, releasing a new product, or repositioning an old one—your GTM plan is how you bring it all together.

Why You Need a GTM Strategy

The #1 mistake we see early-stage founders make? Building something cool… and assuming people will just show up.

They don’t. A GTM strategy saves you from:

• Wasted budget on the wrong channels
• Talking to the wrong audience
• Confusion inside your team
• Launching before you’re ready

It forces clarity. It answers:

• Who are we serving?
• Why do they care?
• How will they hear about us?
• What will they do next?

Key Elements of a Go-To-Market Strategy

You don’t need a 50-page slide deck. Just cover these essentials clearly and honestly:

1. Target Customers

Who are you building this for—really? Define your ICP (ideal customer profile) as specifically as you can. If you say “anyone,” your strategy’s already off track.

2. Value Proposition

Why does this matter to them? What pain are you solving? What’s your “so what?”

If you can’t say this in one sentence without jargon, go back to the whiteboard.

3. Messaging

Once you’ve nailed the value prop, translate it into messaging that resonates. This isn’t just taglines—it’s how you talk across your site, pitch deck, emails, ads, and demo.

4. Channel Strategy

Where will you find your customers, and how will you reach them?

Your choices might include:

• Organic content
• Paid ads
• Cold outreach
• Partnerships
• SEO
• Events

Choose a few—test, then double down on what works.

5. Customer Journey & Activation

Map out the steps from “I’ve never heard of you” to “I’m a happy customer.” Where are the drop-offs? What do you need to improve or automate?

6. Pricing & Offers

How will you package and price the product? What’s the first thing you’ll ask someone to buy—or try? It should feel low-friction and high-value.

7. Metrics That Matter

Track the right things—not just traffic or impressions, but:

• Conversion rate
• CAC (customer acquisition cost)
• LTV (lifetime value)
• Retention
• Activation rate

8. Number of Qualified Leads

This one deserves its own line:

If your top-of-funnel is full of the wrong people, it doesn’t matter how clever the rest of your strategy is.

Make sure your early messaging and targeting are attracting the right prospects. If you’re not getting qualified leads, revisit everything upstream.

Final Thought: Your GTM Strategy is a Living Thing

This isn’t a “set it and forget it” document. Your GTM evolves as you learn more, as the market shifts, and as your product grows.

The goal is simple: put something structured in place, run experiments, measure results, and keep improving. The sooner you find a repeatable motion that works, the sooner you’ll build momentum.

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.

Are you a budding entrepreneur looking for funding to launch or scale your startup? Are you a new or experienced investor, looking to become a savvy startup investor, access quality dealflow, and expand your network? If so, AngelNV is your gateway to making these ambitions a reality.

AngelNV is a thriving community of investors and entrepreneurs committed to bridging the gap between venture capital and Nevada startups. With a proven track record of success, AngelNV has facilitated millions of dollars in investments while encouraging a collaborative ecosystem of founders and funders.

Here’s everything you need to know about joining the next halo capital adventure, AngelNV5.

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What Is AngelNV?

AngelNV drives capital into Nevada’s startup ecosystem through two core programs: a founder due diligence bootcamp and an angel investor academy. The founder bootcamp equips entrepreneurs with skills for fundraising, due diligence, and pitching, while the investor academy teaches new angels how to confidently evaluate startup investments. The program culminates in a grand Finale event, where 6 finalist companies pitch their companies and 2-3 receive investment. The event, attended by media and the public, celebrates Nevada’s startup ecosystem and AngelNV’s role in supporting diverse growth. All investments are shared with the AngelNV syndicate for potential additional backing and are matched dollar-for-dollar through state funding, doubling the impact.

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Calling All Entrepreneurs

Are you an entrepreneur ready to take your startup to the next level? AngelNV is here to help you secure the funding you need.

The Entrepreneur Track

Key dates for entrepreneurs:

• Bootcamp Start Date: Complete for 2024, returning October 14th, 2025
• Application Deadline for Funding: December 13, 2024

Education
Through the 6-week AngelNV Founder Bootcamp, startup founders receive in-depth, interactive training designed to prepare them for fundraising. The program is offered in-person and virtually, making it accessible to entrepreneurs across Nevada. This free bootcamp covers critical aspects of fundraising, including crafting compelling pitch decks, understanding term sheets, mastering due diligence, and more. Participants gain access to resources such as the UNLV research library, mentorship, and ongoing support through the StartUpNV community. At the program’s conclusion, founders apply for investment via the Dealum platform, with guidance from the AngelNV team to strengthen their applications. 

* Our DD bootcamp for 2024 is already complete, but will return next year and is a valuable resource to any founder who plans to raise outside capital. Register now for Fall 2025!

Funding

The Application is now open to all Nevada-based startups. Prior AngelNV investments have included companies that can demonstrate traction, through revenue or other market validation, have strong (and coachable) teams and advisors, and a product or service that is scalable to an 8-figure exit. In 2024, more than 160 companies applied for funding from AngelNV, with two receiving investment. While only a handful of companies ultimately make it to the finals, going through the due diligence bootcamp and the application process is a valuable learning opportunity. 

AngelNV5 culminates in a live pitch event on March 29th, 2025, where startups compete for a significant investment prize—over $400,000 in funding! This event not only offers funding opportunities but also provides exposure to a wide variety of potential investors. Every applicant is encouraged to attend the finale to network with investors, connect with other entrepreneurs, and learn from presenters.

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A Unique Opportunity for Investors

Investor Track

The AngelNV investor track brings together people who are passionate about investing in high-potential startups, offering them a platform to learn, network, and make meaningful investments. These experienced and new investors come from Reno, Las Vegas, throughout Nevada, and the western US. 

Now in its fifth year, AngelNV has become a cornerstone of Nevada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program combines investor education with real-world experience, allowing participants to learn the craft of smart startup investing, while potentially earning impressive returns.

In just four years, AngelNV investments have doubled their value and are on track for a 5x to 10x return on the portfolio. This success is a testament to the program’s meticulous approach to investment selection, due diligence, and ongoing founder support.

For aspiring angel investors, AngelNV is an unparalleled opportunity to learn the ins and outs of startup investing while building a portfolio of high-potential startups.

Why Join AngelNV as an Investor?

1. Education: Learn the fundamentals of angel investing through a structured curriculum that covers everything from deal evaluation to portfolio management.
2. Community: Join a network of like-minded individuals who share a passion for startups, innovation and economic development.
3. Returns: Participate in deals with the potential for high returns. Since 2020, AngelNV has invested over $2.5 million in Nevada startups, generating an implied return of over 2x in just four years.
4. Impact: Support local entrepreneurs and contribute to the growth of Nevada’s startup ecosystem.

Investment Minimum

AngelNV offers a low-risk way to dip your toe into angel investing while starting to build a portfolio of promising startups. Requiring only a $5,000 minimum investment—much lower than traditional $50-100k minimums (to invest in venture funds) or the typical $25-50k (for individual investment) required by most startups, AngelNV broadens access to angel investing in Nevada. Investors can gain exposure to startup investing, learn alongside experienced peers, and spread their risk by participating in a pooled investment—minimizing the financial barrier to entry and maximizing the learning opportunity. 

At least 40 investors will invest $5,000 (and donate $500/ea for fund administration and fees), resulting in at least $200,000 to invest in one company at the finale. If more than $200k is raised, the angels can decide to invest in additional finalists, or invest the entire amount into their top choice. All investments are shared with the AngelNV syndicate for potential additional backing and are matched dollar-for-dollar through state funding, doubling the impact.

Investor Participation

Starting January 14th, 2025, investors will attend sessions weekly for 11 weeks, leading up to the grand finale. All sessions are held remotely, with a number of in-person mixers in Las Vegas.

Investors will review company applications and continue to narrow down the number of startups, advancing a smaller group through each round and ultimately selecting a final 6 on which to perform due diligence. Investors then select one of the finalist companies alongside fund managers and analysts, to form teams that complete extensive due diligence and present their findings weekly to the broader investor group. 

After the 11 weeks, AngelNV culminates in a grand finale conference, open to the public, where finalists will pitch and angels will decide which companies will receive investment from AngelNV5! 

Investors often return for future AngelNV cohorts, attend alumni events throughout the year, and continue to build their startup portfolios. AngelNV alumni are also invited to join additional investment opportunities, such as FundNV, Sierra Angels, and SyndicateNV.

To learn more or register your interest, submit this form and our team will be in touch!

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Building Nevada’s Startup Ecosystem

AngelNV is more than a conference or a bootcamp—it’s a movement towards our mission of transforming Nevada into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
By bridging the gap between investors and entrepreneurs, AngelNV strengthens Nevada’s startup capital ecosystem. Startups gain insight into what investors want and access to much-needed capital, while investors benefit from a pipeline of well-prepared, high-potential deals.

Statewide Impact
As a trusted investment partner, the State of Nevada’s SSBCI program will match AngelNV investments dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of investments. As Nevada’s startup ecosystem continues to grow, based on favorable business climate, taxes, incentives, affordability, etc., it is critical to ensure the funding, access to funding, and generational wealth scale in parallel. In combination with FundNV and SyndicateNV, AngelNV has connected over 100 investors with startup investment opportunities, resulting in 30 investments totaling nearly $30 million over less than 5 years.

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Case Study – an AngelNV success story!

Startup investing is a high-risk and high-return-potential asset class. Success involves making smart investments, and making many investments. Most of your portfolio companies will fail, but the ones who succeed will make up for the losses, and then some. With each new cohort of entrepreneurs and investors, we’re confident in being able to share many more AngelNV and Nevada startup success stories in the future as the early-stage companies scale to profitability and eventual liquidity. 

Dot Ai (formerly SEE ID): From AngelNV to IPO Aspirations

Dot Ai, the AngelNV2 first-place investment choice, is an exciting example of the program’s impact. Since its inception, the Nevada-based logistics tech startup has disrupted the industrial supply chain industry with AI-driven solutions that track and manage assets more efficiently than legacy systems. According to this press release, Dot Ai will become a publicly traded company within the next few months! Investors’ investments will convert to DAIC shares traded on the Nasdaq. Each $5k “share” in ANV2 will yield $20k+ in shares of DAIC, at the time of IPO. That’s a 4x+ liquid multiple in two years! Hopefully, the shares will continue to appreciate in the future. Amazing!

Dot Ai’s Journey:

• From Local Startup to National Spotlight: Dot Ai is set to go public through a merger with ShoulderUp Technology Acquisition Corp., valued at approximately $248.5 million. The merger will position the company to expand its reach and bring its innovative solutions to more industries.
• Innovative Technology: Combining artificial intelligence, IoT, and cloud software, Dot Ai helps clients like the U.S. Air Force and Rooms To Go track assets in real time without significant infrastructure costs.
• Rapid Growth: With an estimated $10 million in revenue for 2024 and projected bookings of $30 million for 2025, Dot Ai’s growth trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary.
• Exceptional Leadership: Under the guidance of CEO Ed Nabrotzky, a former Panasonic executive, and CXO Bill Reny,Dot Ai has assembled a world-class veteran-lead leadership team and board that includes industry heavyweights like former Airbus North America Chairman Allan McArtor.

Why It Matters: Dot Ai’s success story exemplifies the long-term potential of early-stage investment through AngelNV. By providing initial funding and resources, AngelNV investors have helped Dot Ai transform into a market leader poised for success.

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Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for these important dates:

• Application Deadline for Entrepreneurs: December 13, 2024
• AngelNV Conference: March 29th, 2025, Las Vegas, NV

Whether you’re an entrepreneur eager to pitch your idea or an investor ready to dive into the world of venture capital, these events are not to be missed.

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Join the AngelNV Community

AngelNV is more than just a program—it’s a community of innovators, investors, and changemakers. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Entrepreneurs: Apply by (deadline) for funding for your startup.
• Investors: Register your interest and take the first step toward becoming an angel investor! 
• Everyone: Attend the AngelNV Conference to learn, network, and witness the transformative power of entrepreneurship.

Ready to take the next step? Visit AngelNV to learn more and join the movement.

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AngelNV: Where Investors Become Angels, and Startups Take Flight.

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 25, 2024) – StartUpNV, a nonprofit statewide incubator and accelerator for Nevada-based startups, is again sponsoring the Las Vegas edition of Techstars Startup Week Las Vegas, Oct. 15 – Oct. 19. Techstars Startup Week is a five-day event held in cities across the world to celebrate entrepreneurship and showcase the local startup community through meetups, lectures, discussions, and celebrations.

The weeklong event is dedicated to designers, developers, and entrepreneurs who wish to share ideas, form connections, and join a thriving startup community. With the theme “What Happens Here, Scales Here,” Techstars Startup Las Vegas features three tracks of programming: Startup Capital, CommUnity, and Innovation. Daytime sessions and nightly happy hours take place in multiple venues throughout Las Vegas and are all free to attend, but registration is required at: https://startupweeklasvegas.com.

The week will offer inspiring keynote speakers, such as Geoff Ralston, successful founder and angel investor in more than 100 companies and former president at Y Combinator. Breakout sessions will cover a wide variety of topics through presentations on raising and investing capital, a discussion panel of community leaders, and numerous workshops on relevant subjects including artificial intelligence, refining a pitch, sizing a market, winning in the federal marketplace, and many more.

Many of the sessions will be led by top-tier leaders in the startup community nationwide such as:
● Brandon Ward, co-founder of DreamSAFE and owner of The WE Mentality, will lead an interactive workshop designed to enhance leadership skills and build high-performing teams. Participants will gain valuable insights into creating a positive team culture, leveraging individual strengths, and implementing leadership techniques that drive success.
● Liz Heiman, a sales operating system architect and founder of Regarding Sales, will lead “Breaking the Mold: Why Selling Like a Girl Wins the Sale,” where she will show women exactly how to harness their strengths to easily and comfortably close more sales, especially since women innately ask more questions, organically engage in more conversations, and naturally listen better, which propels them to the top of the sales leaderboard. In fact, women close 33% of leads compared to just 24% for men; 86% of women hit their sales quotas, whereas only 78% of men do; and sales by women are, on average, $5,000 higher than men’s.

The week will also feature nightly networking happy hours, a Founder Hour that connects entrepreneurs with local venture fund leaders, popular local startup events like Tech Alley and Robotics Meetup, and fun activities, such as a pumpkin-market-fit carving competition, rapid fire presentations known as Ignite Talks, and Startup Showdown sponsored by the city of Las Vegas where founders go head-to-head pitching their startup through a performance medium, like singing, dancing, or acting.

Techstars Startup Week Las Vegas is made possible thanks to StartUpNV as well as sponsors: Deel, Brex, the city of Las Vegas, Tech Edge Developers, GOED, Vu Technologies, KPMG, Tech Alley, UNLV, AngelNV, Silicon Valley Bank, Lucihub, Cootoh, Lowtail Libations, and other local businesses. A full agenda with session details and free registration is available at https://startupweeklasvegas.com. Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available. Email madeline@startupnv.org for sponsorship details on how to showcase a brand at Startup Week.

About StartUpNV
StartUpNV is a 501(c)3 non-profit statewide accelerator and business incubator for scalable Nevada-based startups that provides expert mentorship and access to a network of capital partners. StartUpNV’s founders, mentors, university connections, investors, and business partners work together to grow and support a robust, inclusive startup ecosystem in Nevada. StartUpNV’s related venture funds, FundNV, AngelNV, and the new 1864 seed fund, provide startups access to local venture capital along with education for entrepreneurs and angel investors. Since inception in 2017, StartUpNV has heard pitches from more than 1,000 startups, held more than 250 education events, and seen nearly $80 million in venture capital raised for more than 55 companies. For information visit: startupnv.org

MEDIA CONTACTS: Amy Maier, amy@twgpr.com, 702-904-0296