The latest RGJ Article – WC-1 a “Gut Check” for Washoe County!

I suspect we are all glad that election season is almost over.  That said, I believe our local election is particularly important in that it really is a “gut check” for our community, a term that is often used in the military and in sports.  Gut check is defined as “a test or assessment of courage, character, or determination”.  In my experience it speaks to the real character of a person; can they do what they know is right, no matter how difficult or unpopular it is.  Raising taxes is never easy and is certainly unpopular, but given the current state of our schools can we as a community pass this very important test? Here is the complete article.

A shift in the  ecosystem? Last month we had the honor of hosting two of Japan’s most successful entrepreneurs, Tiazo Son and Atsushi Taira. Atsushi and Tiazo are principles of Mistletoe.co a social impact studio focused on solving some of the worlds biggest challenges.  What’s more impressive than their backgrounds (which are super impressive – Yahoo! Japan, Gung Ho, SoftBank) was their genuine interest in supporting local ecosystems and commitments to tackle major issues in the world through entrepreneurship….

Read more here.

NEW Investment Fund – The Sierra Angels, Nevada’s premier early-investor funding group, is launching a new program and fund to help incubate ideas and projects created through the University of Nevada, Reno that have potential for reaching the marketplace. The recently created Sierra Innovations and its’ Entrepreneur Fund will facilitate the development of successful innovation-based, scalable startup companies in the northern Nevada region. Read more here!


The Biggest Little Startup Fair was a SUCCESS with 35 startups participating and 467 attendees; 214 students & faculty, and 253 members from the community! Thank you to Truckee Meadows Community College and University of Nevada, Reno Career Studio for helping put the event on with us and Greater Nevada Field for hosting the event at the baseball stadium! If you would like to become a partner, or join the organizing committee next year, please send an email to pheasant@edawn.org.

EDAWN’s Non-Profit Foundation is working with the Washoe County School District to launch the 2nd phase of “Design a Taxi-Top” campaign which engages WCSD K-12 students. These efforts provide an important perspective from our young adults and encourages them to engage in improving the image of our community and support the ongoing efforts to re-brand the region. Please contact Tamera Pitts or call 775.829.3700 to sponsor a taxi-top.

Startup Company of the Month

This month we want to highlight Hummingdoc, a venture in the Summit VMS program that was founded this year. Hummingdoc is a Reno-born, mobile healthtech company that is making affordable home health devices for smartphones that facilitate telehealth and wellness. They offer an adapter that will convert the existing headset and smartphone into an electronic stethoscope, capable of transmitting digitally captured heart and lung sounds to a healthcare provider in a remote location. Hummingdoc is currently developing partnerships and customer relations with Accountable Care Organizations and telehealth companies as part of their go-to-market strategy. This month, Hummingdoc was featured on Fox 11 Reno news at the Biggest Little Startup Fair – learn more about Hummingdoc and Paul Park in the video below!

Entrepreneurial Events 

Conscious Capitalism Launch Party

Wednesday, Nov. 2nd at 5:30pm

The Basement – 50 S. Virginia St.

Part mixer with a guest speaker and a local panel, Alexander McCobin, the Co-CEO of CC, Inc. will give a high level overview of what Conscious Capitalism is, its purpose and vision, and what’s happening on a global scale.Our panel will discuss and take questions on how the Conscious Capitalism has been holistically integrated into their workplace and company cultures. Cocktails and light appetizers will be provided by local, conscious businesses. Purchase tickets here.

Startup Weekend Reno

Friday, Nov. 18th beginning 4:30pm – ending Sunday, Nov. 20th at 7:30pm 

Greater Nevada Field – 250 Lounge & Patio – 250 Evans St., Reno, NV

Ever wondered what it takes to be an entrepreneur? The professional and personal challenges, the high and lows, the failures and the success? Bring an idea, a talented friend or potential co-founder, or just yourself and spend the next 54 hours building a business model, coding, designing, and validating your business idea! Register HERE for Startup Weekend!

There are several entrepreneurial events happening throughout the region! For a full calendar list, and to list your event, check-out Reno Startup Digest.

1 Million Cups – Every Wednesday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. at Swill Coffee and Wine. We are always looking for startups and ventures to present, view past presentations to get an idea of the format, and contact the 1MC team to sign-up!