Tech Cocktail's Guide to Downtown Las Vegas: covering the local tech ecosystem including startups, local leaders, investors, places of interest and more.
2. WELCOME TO DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS!
We’re so excited you made it. Perhaps you’ve been to Vegas before, for a conference or
weekend trip on the strip. Or maybe it’s your first time. Either way – the Vegas you’re about to
experience is quite different from the one most people know. Downtown Las Vegas (DTLV) is
just as fun, colorful and exciting, but rather than just a vacation or conference destination, it’s a
vibrant live-work-play community.
Catalyzed by the Downtown Project, led by Tony Hsieh, DTLV has quickly
transformed into a vibrant neighborhood full of entrepreneurs and other
members of the creative class who are excited about building a city based
on a culture that values community, passion, creativity and happiness. We
also like to think that DTLV makes you smarter. Welcome to our
neighborhood!
3. WHO WE ARE
Tech Cocktail is a national news and events organization based in DTLV. Our mission is
to help entrepreneurs enjoy the startup life journey by providing resources, connections
and community wherever they may be around the globe. Aside from our daily content, we
host events in over 30 communities around the country. We relocated to DTLV because
the size & scope of what the Downtown Project is trying to accomplish is truly incredible,
creating a great base of operations for Tech Cocktail and providing an incredible focus of
our journalistic attention.
4. Downtown Las Vegas is north of “the strip” where all the big hotels reside – just about 2
miles north of the Stratosphere on Las Vegas Boulevard. The intersection of Las Vegas
Boulevard and Fremont Street is a perfect starting point for any walking tour of DTLV!
(Schedule a tour here!)
GETTING AROUND
There’s also a bus system that can take you around the area. To learn more about The Deuce
and the SDX (Strip & Downtown Express), visit this schedule: http://goo.gl/VCHzCm
The great news is, once you get downtown, you can pretty much get anywhere you need
to go on foot. If you need a taxi, just walk to the front of the El Cortez or the Downtown
Grand hotel, where taxis line up.
5. THE LOCAL DTLV TECH SCENE
The downtown area has a burgeoning tech scene! Let’s take a
closer look at its different components.
STARTUPS
There are too many to list here, but you can get a sense of the various local
startups by looking in a few places.
1) Articles about Vegas startups can be found on: http://tech.co/vegas
2) VegasTechFund portfolio companies can be found here: http://vegastechfund.com/portfolio
3) VegasTech.com also writes about the local startup community: http://vegastech.com/about
4) Visit this map to see where startups are located around the city: http://vegastechmap.com
6. VEGASTECHFUND
The Downtown Project focuses on a few different areas – such
as real estate, small businesses, education and arts…but the
area we care the most about is TECH. The Downtown Project
includes a $50MM fund called the VegasTechFund, which also
includes Work in Progress, The Mill, and Progression Labs.
WORK IN PROGRESS
317 S 6th St. and 701 Bridger Ave 4th Floor
Our local coworking facility houses over 200 members and 40 startups across
both locations, as well as the VegasTechFund and The Mill.
7. THE MILL
The Mill awards $5,000 each week to an entrepreneur with a promising idea.
Entrepreneurs get to spend 2 months working out of the Work in Progress
coworking space and getting mentorship through their mentor program.
PROGRESSION LABS
An “accelerator-like” program in downtown Vegas that invests $10,000 to $25,000
in very early-stage startups. This “residential immersion program” lasts 3 months,
and ends with a demo-day.
VEGASTECHFUND
8. DTLV TECH ECOSYSTEM
TECH COCKTAIL WEEK
For 4 days each month, Tech Cocktail
hosts a tech retreat/mini-conference in
DTLV, inviting 25-30 founders, investors,
media and industry leaders to come visit,
meet interesting people and share their
knowledge with the local community – and
walk away inspired by what is happening in
downtown Vegas.
THE OGDEN
150 Las Vegas Blvd N
The Ogden is a special place in DTLV. It’s a residential space, home
to a few great restaurants (Wild, Rachel’s Kitchen and Scullery), and
home base for Tech Cocktail, TicketCake and some other local
companies.
DOWNTOWN PODCAST
A weekly video production filmed by friends, community members
and visitors to share the stories, ideas and people that make the
Downtown Las Vegas community so special.
9. DOWNTOWN PROJECT
302 E Carson Ave #200
The largest and most unique startup in DTLV, led by Tony Hsieh, the Downtown Project is committed
to helping transform Downtown Las Vegas into the most community-focused large city in the world.
Their goal is to inspire and empower people to follow their passions to create a vibrant, connected
urban core. The project has allocated $350 million to aid in the revitalization of Downtown Las Vegas,
investing $200 million in real estate, $50 million in small businesses, $50 million in education, and $50
million in tech startups through the VegasTechFund. (Schedule a tour here.)
STITCH FACTORY
300 N Las Vegas Blvd #120
A fashion incubator, coworking studio and creative community established to support emerging fashion
designers. The collaborative studio offers designers professional workspace, an inspiring community
and business mentorship. The expertise of the in-house team extends to brand development,
marketing a collection, and communication with buyers.
DTLV TECH ECOSYSTEM
10. THE INNEVATION CENTER
The inNEVation Center is a public/private economic diversification effort,
bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, mentors, investors,
educators and government agencies. It’s the brainchild of Switch founder
Rob Roy, and a commitment to “pay forward” the success of Switch (see
SuperNap below) by helping to empower Nevada’s next generation of
economic leaders.
SWITCH SUPERNAP
7135 S Decatur Blvd
Supernap, an independent, privately held company headquartered in Las
Vegas, and expanding around the globe, is driving vital transformation in
the technology infrastructure industry. (Schedule a tour here.)
LOCAL MOTORS
515 E Stewart Ave
A free online and physical workspace to
make your vehicle innovations into reality.
The Local Motors microfactory is a
unique addition to DTLV.
DTLV TECH ECOSYSTEM
11. SYN SHOP
117 N 4th St.
A hackerspace for sharing, creation, collaboration, research,
development, mentoring and learning. Founded in 2008, when some
DIY enthusiasts decided that instead of hiding in garages, workshops
and offices, they should come together and start a community around
the things they are passionate about.
ZAPPOS
400 E Stewart Ave
Zappos, the online apparel company known globally for its company
culture and customer service, moved its office to downtown Vegas in
September 2013, in the space that formerly housed the city hall.
TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS
ALLIANCE OF NEVADA
(TBAN)
TBAN is proactively fostering technology
business growth in Nevada. Dedicated to
assisting technology-based startups,
emerging and growth companies in finding
the talent, customers and financing needed
to be successful.
DTLV TECH ECOSYSTEM
12. OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST
COTERIE
515 Fremont St.
Coterie is a hybrid fashion boutique/hangout space. You can go hang out,
have a drink or a cupcake, write on the blackboard walls, or watch a movie
projected onto the floor. Right now, the historic sign above the store reads:
Checks Cashed.
HYDRANT CLUB
9th and Fremont Streets
Hydrant Club is a membership access facility, requiring dogs to have proof of
clean health and official licensing with the local municipality. More than that,
it’s an oasis in the center of DTLV for dogs and their parents!
CONTAINER PARK
707 Fremont St.
The Downtown Container Park is
an outdoor shopping, dining and
entertainment hub, created by the
Downtown Project. Made of shipping
containers stacked upon each other,
situated around a family-friendly play
space, this unique venue offers a
variety of boutique shops and
restaurants. Live music is featured
on the outdoor stage nightly.
13. OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST
TURNTABLE HEALTH
701 Bridger Ave, Suite 150
Turntable Health is a member-based primary care and wellness ecosystem in
Las Vegas. Doctors are available 24/7 by phone, email, or the option to video
chat. Members get a health coach that works directly with doctors and nurses
to help members reach their goals.
GOLDSPIKE
217 N Las Vegas Blvd
Owned by the Downtown Project, the GoldSpike is a great spot for coworking
or grabbing a bite or drink anytime of day or night (open 24 hours). Make sure
to check out the backyard.
14. LOCAL TECH LEADERS
Jen Consalvo
Cofounder and COO
of Tech Cocktail
There are many people who make DTLV and the local tech eco-system
what it is – these are just a few of the folks you might come across while
exploring the area.
Frank Gruber
Cofounder and CEO of
Tech Cocktail, Author
of Startup Mixology:
Tech Cocktail’s Guide
to Building, Growing
and Celebrating
Startup Success
Tony Hsieh
CEO of Zappos,
Fearless Leader of
Downtown Project,
Best Selling Author
Fred Mossler
“No Title” at Zappos,
Partner at
VegasTechFund
Andy White
Partner at the
VegasTechFund.
Zach Ware
Cofounder of Work in
Progress, Founder of
Project 100,
Partner at the
VegasTechFund
Laura Berk
Cofounder
Progression Labs,
Cofounder of
ROCeteer.
Sara Vainer Hill
Work in Progress
Director of
Entrepreneurship
Gabe Shepherd
Liaison for SXSW
V2V, Cofounder of
Don’t Sweat the Tech,
Wedgies
George Moncrief
EIR at VegasTechFund.
15. LOCAL TECH LEADERS
John Hawkins
Cofounder of 9seeds,
Organizer
of Las Vegas
WordPress Meetup
and WordCamp
Las Vegas
Jacqueline Jensen
Cofounder
TicketCake,
Producer Downtown
Podcast and Curator
of VegasTech.com
Amy Jo Martin
NY Times Best Selling
Author & Founder of
DigitalRoyalty
Jen McCabe
Downtown Project’s
“hardware
sorceress”, running
the Nimbus Portfolio
for VegasTechFund.
Adam Kramer
Vice President of
Innevation, Chief of
Staff for the Nevada
Board at SWITCH
Mark Rowland
Founder and Chief
Roceteer of ROCeteer
and Cheer Leader
Delivering Happiness
Rob Roy
CEO, Founder,
Inventor, Chairman at
SWITCH
Jen Taler
Managing Partner,
Stitch Factory, Brand
Ambassador
Shavonnah Tièra
Collins
Startup Weekend
Facilitator, UNLV
Startup Center
Jimmy Jacobson
Cofounder of
Wedgies, Organizer of
local hackathons
Rick Duggan
Organizer of the Las
Vegas Parent/Kid
Programming Meetup,
CTO Rolltech
16. LAS VEGAS TECH PRESS
TECH COCKTAIL
A national news and events organization headquartered in DTLV.
Covers hyperlocal startup news around the country, including
Las Vegas. Mission is to help entrepreneurs enjoy the startup life
journey by providing resources, connections and community.
Find and follow: http://tech.co @techcocktail
LAS VEGAS STARTUPS
Covers Las Vegas startup and tech news. Find and follow: http:
//www.vegasstartups.com/ @VegasStartups
VEGASTECH
Covers the people, places and events of the Las Vegas tech
community. Find and follow: http://vegastech.com/ #vegastech
LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL
A local newspaper that sometimes covers tech and
startup news. Find and follow: http://www.
reviewjournal.com/ @reviewjournal
DON’T SWEAT THE TECH
A tech news site and podcast. Find and follow: http:
//dontsweatthetech.com/ @dontsweattech
DOWNTOWN PODCAST
A weekly community podcast that showcases the
stories, ideas and people behind the transforming
downtown Las Vegas. Find and follow: http:
//downtownpodcast.tv/ @downtownpodcast
17. INVESTORS
VEGASTECHFUND
The Downtown Project’s $50 million tech fund for startups.
PROGRESSION LABS
An accelerator-like residential immersion program that brings
startups to downtown Vegas for 3 months and gives them office
space and funding.
NIMBUS
The hardware arm of the VegasTechFund, which makes
investments around $100,000 in companies in robotics, connected
devices, smart home, and Internet of things.
THE MILL
Part of Work in Progress, The Mill gives
out $5,000 to an idea each week and
then supports the entrepreneurs with 2
months of coworking and mentorship.
VEGAS VALLEY ANGELS
A group of accredited investors dedicated
to providing equity capital to early and
mid-stage entrepreneurial companies.
The primary focus is on companies based
in Southern Nevada.
18. PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK
La Camida – 100 S 6th St.
Le Thai – 523 Fremont St.
WIld - 150 Las Vegas Blvd N Suite 120
Boozery – in the Container Park
Bin 702 – in the Container Park
Downtown Cocktail Room – 111 S Las Vegas Blvd
Commonwealth – 525 Fremont St.
Park – 506 Fremont St.
Beauty Bar – 517 Fremont St.
Atomic Liquors – 917 Fremont St.
For these and more visit http://techco.tl/dtlvfaves
Insert Coin(s) – 512 Fremont St.
Gold Spike – 217 N Las Vegas Blvd
Vanguard Lounge – 516 Fremont St.
Inspire – 107 Las Vegas Blvd
Eat – 707 Carson St.
Triple George – 201 N 3rd St
O Face Donuts – 124 S Sixth St. Ste 140
Nacho Daddy – 113 N 4th St.
The Beat – 520 Fremont St.
Rachels Kitchen - 150 Las Vegas Blvd N Suite 160
Scullery - 150 Las Vegas Blvd North