Reno, Nevada, has emerged as a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs and startups, offering a wealth of resources designed to foster innovation and business growth. Whether you’re launching a new venture or scaling an existing one, understanding the local support landscape is crucial.
University of Nevada, Reno Initiatives
Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship
Established in 2014 through a generous gift from Eren and Fatih Ozmen, the Ozmen Center serves as an idea space that facilitates entrepreneurship by moving ideas into action. The center offers a variety of entrepreneurship classes, with the discipline being the third most selected minor among business students. Additionally, the annual Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition awards $50,000 to the winning team, significantly contributing to the entrepreneurial ecosystem by helping student entrepreneurs develop their business ideas. In a recent competition, 42 student applicants representing 21 majors from six different colleges participated. Learn more about the Ozmen Center.
Sierra Accelerator for Growth & Entrepreneurship (SAGE)
SAGE is a statewide program offered through the University of Nevada, Reno, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, aimed at strengthening the technological competitiveness of Nevada small businesses seeking funding from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Services include access to consultants, assistance with grant writing, introductions to agency program managers, solicitation matching, and a library of resources to navigate the proposal and award processes. Discover more about SAGE.
Statewide Support Programs
Office of Entrepreneurship
Launched within the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) following the 2023 legislative session, the Office of Entrepreneurship serves as a central location to highlight and support small business and startup activity fueling statewide economic growth. Established through Assembly Bill 77, the office was created to strengthen policies and programs that support entrepreneurship while identifying and addressing regional challenges faced by business owners. Read more about the Office of Entrepreneurship.
Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The Nevada SBDC at the UNR Innevation Center offers a range of services to assist existing and new business enterprises, including market research, accounting and record-keeping assistance, capital formation, new business start-up advising, technology development assistance, and economic and business data analysis. These services are available to all prospective and current small business owners in Nevada, free of charge. Find out more about the Nevada SBDC.
Community Organizations
NCET (Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology)
NCET is Northern Nevada’s premier organization dedicated to promoting a vibrant technology and business community through education, professional development, and targeted business networking. They connect entrepreneurs with the people and opportunities that help them grow faster, offering programs, events, and a network to support business growth. Explore NCET’s offerings.
Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN)
EDAWN’s Entrepreneurial Development Team assists local startups in finding the resources they need to start, run, and grow a business. They also support the relocation of existing startups to the greater Reno-Sparks community, fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Learn more about EDAWN’s support for startups.
By leveraging these resources, entrepreneurs in Reno can access the support and guidance necessary to navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business, contributing to the region’s dynamic and diverse economic landscape.