December 27, 2012
By: Abbi Whitaker
When someone said Vegas, I automatically thought of expensive cocktails, scantily clad women
and GQ style 20 something’s grinding away to techno music at various ultra lounges on the
strip. I didn’t think of local coffee shops crowded with developers, VC’s and techie enthusiasts
helping to nurture a tech revolution in Sin City. The Vegas Tech scene is booming. And anyone
who isn’t paying close attention is behind the curve.
There’s no doubt that Tony Hsieh, the famous Zappos CEO, has a lot to do with spearheading
and spurring the tech movement in Las Vegas. His passion and commitment to downtown,
young entrepreneurs and the desire to help make Vegas into an urban dweller paradise is the
catalyst for much of the change. But if you spend some time integrating you’ll see that that
Tony is just the beginning. What he has nurtured and created is a community with a mind of
its own; a community that is constantly evolving and running full speed ahead brimming with
new leaders, passionate ideas and the desire to work hand in hand with each other and nurture
the successes of one another. Vegas Tech isn’t a pipe dream — it could be the key to Nevada’s
economic success in the future.
Since the Vegas Tech community uses Twitter to communicate with the #vegastech I thought
I would try to gather a list of the people, ideas and events that are helping to shape the
community. Get involved in the conversation — this group of people will welcome you with
open arms. But remember that a community is a two-way street. Listen, learn, engage, advise,
comment and be part of what is happening there.
EVENTS/GROUPS
Tech Cocktail
Media company focused on tech startup events, news & entrepreneurial resources. Join us!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tech_Cocktail
DC CHI LAS SF BOS LA NY · http://tech.co
LaunchUp.org
Community Help and Events for Technology Entrepreneurs. Save your spot at the next event!
Mail list http://eepurl.com/dg5WY
Las Vegas · http://lv.launchup.org/
VegasYP
Vegas Young Professionals – Where YP’s come to Network, Socialize and Have Fun
Las Vegas, NV · http://www.vegasyp.com
TBAN Las Vegas
TBAN proactively fosters high-tech growth in Nevada by assisting high-tech start-ups in finding
the talent, customers and financing they need to be successful.
Las Vegas, NV · http://www.TBAN.us
Downtown Podcast
Want to know what’s happening in Downtown Vegas and #VegasTech? Check back every week
for updates, interviews and more.
Las Vegas · http://downtownpodcast.tv
The Las Vegas Jelly (casual co-working). We’ll meet, work, chat, and interact. Every Thursday
from 7pm – 12am @TheBeatLV. Tweets by @ShavonnahTiera
START UPS
LaunchKey
LaunchKey is a cybersecurity startup evolving user authentication and killing passwords through
physical authentication on your smartphone.
Las Vegas · http://launchkey.co
zuldi
Next gen mobile payment processing for restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. #startup https://
angel.co/s/7qTUEM
http://www.zuldi.com
ALICE Receptionist
ALICE, the future of your front desk or lobby. This 2-Way virtual video receptionist was named
@Inc Magazine’s Top Gadget of 2012.
#VegasTech, Nevada · http://www.AliceReceptionist.com
@aylooinc
Our iPhone app helps you discover gatherings you’ll care about in your city. We’re a proud
member of #VegasTech & the burgeoning #ShiftVegas movement.
Las Vegas, NV · http://ayloo.net
wedgies
Simple surveys to give to friends
Las Vegas, NV · http://wedgies.com
Digital Royalty
We work w/corporate brands, sports teams/leagues, athletes & celebs to develop social media
strategies. Founder: @AmyJoMartin. www.digitalroyalty.com
Depends on the day. · http://www.digitalroyaltyuniversity.com
TicketCake.com
Ticket Cake is a start-up company that makes selling event tickets online a piece of cake.
#vegastech Tweets by @DylanJorgensen, @JackieMJensen, and @JoeHenriod
http://ticketcake.com
tabeso
Events + Social Media = tabeso #tabus #vegastech @joeherreralv @chadnramos @oddie81
@taylor___prince @mrarturotrejo @slaythepony
Downtown Las Vegas · http://www.tabeso.com
MOVEMENTS
Vegas Tech Fund
VegasTechFund is a seed stage investment fund focused empowering amazing founders and
startups passionate about building community in downtown Las Vegas.
Las Vegas, NV · http://vegastechfund.com
InNEVation
Small business co-working access to the world’s most advanced technology ecosystem,
proximity to industry relationships, and paths to seed, growth and exit cap
Las Vegas, Nevada · http://www.innevation.com
Downtown Project
We are passionate people helping to transform Downtown Las Vegas into the most community-
focused large city in the world.
Downtown Las Vegas · http://downtownproject.com
SxVegas
The official account of SxVegas, a series of events taking place at SXSW Interactive 2013. The
goal: promote and advertise the thriving #VegasTech community.
Las Vegas, NV · http://www.sxvegas.com/
tabeso
Events + Social Media = tabeso #tabus #vegastech @joeherreralv @chadnramos @oddie81
@taylor___prince @mrarturotrejo @slaythepony
Downtown Las Vegas · http://www.tabeso.com
PEOPLE
Mike Yoder
Technology entrepreneur. Technology startup owner. Community contributor. Music junkie.
Starbucks addict. @sxvegas organizer
Las Vegas · vizify.com/mike-yoder
Andy White
@LeanStarter
I’m an entrepreneur, angel investor, and active in the #VegasTech ecosystem, working with
@VegasTechFund, and part of @DowntownProjLV. http://www.downtownproject.com
Las Vegas, NV · http://www.LeanStarter.com
Rick Duggan
Father of @ethanduggan. Entrepreneur. Mentor. Dir Website Systems @ Zappos IP. Breakouts
@VegasJelly. Lover of #VegasTech.
Las Vegas, NV · http://vegasstartups.com
Adam Kramer
I live in Vegas….and no, not that one in New Mexico. #SocialMedia, #Entrepreneurship &
@VegasYP for @LVChamber. Views expressed are my own. #VegasTech lover
Jacqueline
Co-Founder/COO of @TicketCake. Producer @DowntownPodcast, Social Media Evangelist
@LaunchUpLV, all things #vegastech. Move fast and break things.
SLC ✈ LAS · http://ticketcake.com
Shavonnah Tièra
Possibility is greater than Probability. Community engineer |Organizer @SWVegas | DOer
@aylooinc | #VegasTech
Vegas!!! · http://www.ayloo.net
Gabriel Shepherd
Tech and Startup Entrepreneur, Community Liaison for @sxsw @sxswv2v, @SxVegas Organizer
and proud member of the #VegasTech community
Las Vegas · http://www.dontsweatdatechnique.com
12 year old author of mobile apps. @LazyHusband Youngest member of VegasTech 
#VegasTech
Hormone health and other things that matter. Lucine’s e-health journal: Hormones Matter,
http://www.hormonesmatter.com/
Skiing powder @FISkiers and doing business @wedgies
John Lynn
Professional Blogger and Former Computer Nerd
Henderson, NV · http://www.healthcarescene.com
FRANK GRUBER
CEO & Cofounder @TechCocktail tech startup events, news & resources. Co-creator DCWEEK.
Former AOL & Tribune. Sports fan.
Washington, DC & Las Vegas · http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Gruber_(entrepreneur)
Kristi Overgaard
EVP of Awesomeness for Switch, the world’s largest and most powerful data center and
technology ecosystem. I heart branding and popcorn.
http://switchlv.com
Chief Science Officer at @aylooinc, Caltech drop-out, and a proud member of #VegasTech!
@Skillshare profile: http://ayl.lu/TIQDDq
Web & Media Strategist. Co-Founder and CMO of @tabeso. Proud member and community
manager of @VegasTech.
It was great having you in Las Vegas Abbi. We look forward to having you back in Las Vegas on a regular basis. It’s an exciting time to be in Vegas Tech.
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