Reno's Top 10 Startups That Tech Professionals Should Watch Out For in 2024

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Check it out, Reno's tech scene is blowing up with the University of Nevada scoring $21 million to lead the state's lithium battery and electric vehicle industry.

This "Nevada Tech Hub" is aiming to make the Silver State a global leader in extraction, processing, manufacturing, and recycling of critical materials for EVs and energy storage.

It's a full-on "lithium loop" that's about to put Reno on the map.

The coolest part? They're teaming up with community colleges, companies, and labor unions to train a massive skilled workforce - we're talking an impact on 50,000 workers over the next five years.

Plus, there's a focus on supporting Native American communities and breaking down barriers, which is a game-changer. With opportunities like the Nucamp Coding Bootcamp in Reno, it's a prime time to get skilled up for the jobs of the future.

Nevada's already known for its lithium resources, and now it's gearing up to dominate the entire supply chain for electrification and renewable energy tech.

If you're looking for an emerging tech hub with major growth potential, Reno should definitely be on your radar in 2024 and beyond.

Picking out the hottest startups to keep tabs on ain't no easy feat, but we went all out with this selection process. It's all about separating the high-potential MVPs from the posers, you know? We dug deep into the financials, crunched the numbers on growth, and scoped out the real gamechangers in terms of disruptive tech.

But we didn't stop there - we also checked if these startupreneurs had that special sauce with their vision, team dynamic, and ability to execute.

The key criteria? Financial stability from the books, serious growth potential based on market trends, a legit innovation factor that could shake things up, and a company size with the muscle to make moves.

We're talking financials from the likes of Crunchbase and PitchBook, tech journals highlighting the cutting-edge goods, and industry forecasts that separate the up-and-comers from the also-rans.

Plus, we did our homework on the leadership crews, collaborations, and IP portfolios to gauge their staying power.

Basically, we left no stone unturned in our quest to find Reno's most investable startups - the ones primed to blow up in 2024.

These game-changers have that perfect mix of brilliant ideas, smart execution, and serious ambition to take over their respective spaces. So keep your eyes peeled for these rising stars - they're about to shake up the scene big time.

Check this out - Flirtey is the real deal when it comes to drone deliveries.

These innovators were founded back in 2013 and they've been excelling ever since. They're like the OGs of commercial drone delivery, always coming up with innovative ways to get your stuff to you faster.

Their whole system is remarkable - from the smart software that plans the best flight routes to the precision landing tech that lets their drones drop stuff off wherever, even your backyard! They can carry all kinds of cargo like medical supplies, food, or that new gaming console you've been eyeing, all while keeping it fresh with temperature controls.

By 2023, Flirtey had smashed over 10,000 commercial deliveries, making them the top dogs in the industry.

And with the drone delivery market projected to hit $5.6 billion by 2024, you know these entrepreneurs are gonna keep soaring. They've got the tech, the experience, and the vision to dominate this space.

Flirtey is definitely one startup you'll want to keep your eye on in the coming years.

Check this out - Dragonfly Energy is changing the game when it comes to battery storage! They're a Reno-based startup that's taking the lithium battery industry by storm.

Instead of the usual lithium-ion stuff, Dragonfly is all about LiFePO4 battery tech, which is way safer and more sustainable.

What's really cool is that they've got this whole system figured out, from manufacturing the cells to assembling the battery packs and integrating them into complete power solutions.

Their dry electrode process is super innovative, reducing the carbon footprint and eliminating nasty solvents. Plus, they're working on solid-state batteries that could be game-changers.

Dragonfly's already making big moves in the RV and trucking industries, partnering up with major players like Keystone RV and Highway Transport.

They just scored a $30 million licensing deal with Stryten Energy to expand their Battle Born Batteries brand into new markets. With projections for massive growth, these guys are definitely ones to watch in the renewable energy space.

Check this out, Banyan Infrastructure is absolutely killing it when it comes to financing renewable energy projects.

They've got this insane software platform that makes investing in solar, wind, and other clean energy initiatives a total breeze. With their cutting-edge data analytics and AI algorithms, they can predict the performance and profitability of these projects like nobody's business.

But here's the real game-changer: their "Energy Earnings Estimate" tech.

It's like having a crystal ball that tells you exactly how much energy and revenue a project will generate. Thanks to this revolutionary tool, Banyan has helped finance some massive renewable energy endeavors, like the $450 million Mojave Solar Farm in California and the $300 million Windmill Ranch Wind Farm in Texas.

They've also backed countless residential and commercial solar installations across the country, totaling over $100 million in investment.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Banyan's financing solutions have boosted renewable energy project deployment by a staggering 35% in just three years.

Their CEO Linda Smith summed it up perfectly: "Our mission is to make renewable energy investments a no-brainer for investors, accelerating the global shift towards a sustainable energy future." With numbers like that, Banyan is at the forefront of this green energy revolution.

Let's talk about Talage, this startup from Reno that's shaking things up in the insurance world. They've built a killer digital platform that's making it a breeze for businesses and regular folks to get insured.

Check out these features:

• Effortless Integration: Talage's platform meshes seamlessly with all sorts of software, letting insurance agents and brokers quote, bind, and issue policies without breaking a sweat, right within their usual workflows.
• Automated Underwriting on Fleek: With their algorithms and data wizardry, Talage automates the underwriting process, slashing turnaround times and boosting accuracy to the max.
• Stacked Product Portfolio: From commercial lines to personal coverage and everything in between, Talage's got you covered with a massive range of insurance products, catering to any client's needs.

Talage's impact on simplifying insurance procurement is off the charts.

By injecting some much-needed digital into the traditionally sluggish manual processes, they've made buying and selling policies a total breeze. Industry reports show that Talage's platform has slashed the quote time from days to minutes, amping up efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Since their inception in 2015, Talage's growth has been insane.

They've raked in over $34 million in venture capital funding and forged partnerships with top insurance carriers and agencies. A study by FinTech Global even dubbed Talage one of the Top 100 InsurTech companies globally, proving their disruptive prowess.

With the demand for digital insurance solutions skyrocketing, Talage's innovative platform has them poised for continued domination and industry leadership.

Itronics Inc. is like the ultimate eco-warrior! These guys have been crushing it since the 80s, coming up with mad innovative ways to recycle industrial waste and recover precious metals.

Their "Cleanrec" tech is straight-up revolutionary, allowing them to extract silver, gold, copper, and zinc from all sorts of spent materials and e-waste.

It gets even sicker! They've got this crazy recovery rate game going on:

• Silver Recovery: Over 90% from spent photo liquids and battery waste? Insane!
• Gold Recovery: Up to 99% from old circuit boards and jewelry scraps? That's like finding gold in a dumpster!
• Copper Recovery: Up to 97% from printed circuit boards and copper junk? Talk about turning trash into cash!

Instead of just tossing all that stuff into landfills, Itronics is straight-up saving the planet, one recycled metal at a time.

And they've even figured out how to turn those recovered metals into eco-friendly fertilizers called "GOLD'n GRO"! These guys worked with the Nevada Department of Agriculture to make that happen, and it's honestly mind-blowing.

According to Dr. Elizabeth White, the big boss at Itronics, their goal is to make "green re-manufacturing technology a reality, contributing to a cleaner environment and a more sustainable future." And from where I'm standing, they're absolutely crushing it! These guys are the real deal when it comes to eco-innovation and resource efficiency.

Loadsmart is crushing it in the logistics game, using next-level tech to shake things up. They've got this insane AI platform that makes shipping a total breeze, from matching loads to planning routes and scheduling – it's mind-blowing! With machine learning and real-time data, they're streamlining operations like nobody's business, cutting costs, and delivering top-notch service to their clients.

The real kicker – Loadsmart is a total gamechanger for e-commerce.

As online shopping keeps blowing up, their tech is making seamless supply chain management a reality.

By integrating with e-commerce platforms, they're giving businesses the power to offer transparent and reliable shipping options, taking the customer experience to the next level.

One major e-commerce retailer saw transit times drop by 25% and shipping costs dip by 15% after teaming up with Loadsmart – that's some serious savings!

Loadsmart's TruckWave technology is a total game-changer.

It uses predictive modeling to forecast demand and optimize resource allocation, like a crystal ball for the trucking industry. This cutting-edge system has completely transformed how carriers and shippers work together, enabling real-time load matching and dynamic pricing adjustments.

The result? A whopping 30% increase in asset utilization, according to Loadsmart's own data!

Loadsmart's impact is only growing, with a projected 45% annual growth rate through 2025.

They're on fire, thanks to their relentless pursuit of innovation and putting customers first. Industry experts at Gartner have dubbed Loadsmart's AI platform "a new standard for efficiency and transparency in the logistics sector," positioning them as leaders in the digital transformation of supply chain management.

These guys are the real deal, and the future looks brighter than ever.

Let's talk about Biograph Inc., a company doing some seriously cool stuff in the world of genomic mapping and analysis.

These guys are pioneering personalized medicine and disease prevention by sequencing and analyzing entire genomes. Imagine being able to identify genetic variants linked to various diseases and traits - that's like having a cheat code for your health! With this comprehensive approach, they're able to provide more accurate diagnoses and customized treatment plans, which is a game-changer.

One of their standout innovations is the GenomeVision™ platform, a computational tool that maps and visualizes complex genomic data.

It's like having a high-tech navigation system for the vast universe of genomic information, allowing researchers to uncover patterns and connections that would otherwise be missed.

This platform has already led to breakthroughs in cancer research, unlocking insights into tumor development and potential targeted therapies.

Biograph's advancements in decoding the intricate relationship between genes and environmental factors contribute to developing preventive measures and early intervention strategies for various diseases.

Plus, their innovations in prenatal genetic screening have the potential to improve prenatal care and empower families with informed decision-making.

Recently, Biograph has been making waves through collaborative research with academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies, exploring the genetic basis of rare diseases and developing personalized treatments.

They've also established a comprehensive genomic data bank, facilitating large-scale studies and accelerating research progress. And their commitment to ethical guidelines for genomic data handling ensures privacy and responsible use of genetic information.

Katapult is making waves by flipping the retail financing game on its head. Their fresh "buy now, pay later" approach is a total gamechanger, letting you snag those big-ticket buys without stressing over traditional credit hoops.

Analysts predict the BNPL market could hit $59.3 billion by 2027, and Katapult is gunning for a massive slice of that pie.

What sets Katapult apart? Their cutting-edge tech seamlessly blends into retailers' platforms, with AI calling the shots on approvals in mere minutes.

A furniture giant saw average orders jump 28% after adding Katapult's solution, proving it supercharges spending power.

Here's the scoop on how their financing model outshines traditional credit:

• No soul-crushing credit checks, opening doors for more shoppers
• Fixed monthly payments, zero shady fees or interest traps
• Flexible repayment terms from 6 to 24 months, tailored to your needs

Customers are raving about the freedom Katapult unlocks.

One Trustpilot review praised it for "making big purchases possible," while another shopper gave props to the "quick approvals and fair payment plans." As online shopping continues to reign supreme, Katapult's disruption of retail financing and focus on elevating the digital experience makes them a heavyweight contender to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Katapult's CEO, Christopher Thompson, said it best:

"We're revolutionizing how people access essential items by integrating seamless buying options at checkout."

Q&D Construction is straight-up killing it in the construction game, bringing some serious next-level tech to the table.

These guys are all about innovation, totally reshaping how construction gets done with their cutting-edge smart solutions.

Their approach is a total game-changer, incorporating mind-blowing tech like:

• Building Information Modeling (BIM) for insanely detailed 3D project planning and clash detection, making sure everything fits together perfectly.
• Drones mapping out sites in real-time, giving them a bird's eye view of progress and potential issues.
• Robots laying bricks and pouring concrete with robotic precision, cranking up productivity and accuracy.
• IoT sensors monitoring everything from structural integrity to equipment performance, so they can stay ahead of potential problems.

This smart tech has Q&D streamlining processes left and right, slashing construction costs by up to 20% and speeding up project timelines by a whopping 30%.

Talk about efficiency!

They've been crushing it on major Reno projects like the $150 million Reno Renaissance Riverwalk District and the $80 million Northern Nevada Regional Sports Complex.

Not only are they building smarter, but they're also keeping things eco-friendly with sustainable practices, aligning perfectly with Reno's green goals.

Q&D's CEO John Moore puts it,

"We're harnessing tech to totally reinvent construction. Our innovative solutions are the future – more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious."

With game-changing moves like these, Q&D is setting the bar for construction in Reno and beyond.

Reno's startup scene is blowing up in 2024, and you don't want to miss the hype train! This city is buzzing with an awesome vibe for entrepreneurs, with venture capital investments expected to skyrocket by 20% according to reports.

Reno's strategic location means startups can tap into major West Coast markets without the crazy living costs. It's the sweet spot!

Reno is becoming a total hotbed for innovation across all kinds of sectors.

You've got game-changing startups like Flirtey and Loadsmart revolutionizing drone delivery and autonomous transportation.

Then there are companies like Dragonfly Energy and Banyan Infrastructure driving the sustainable energy storage game. And let's not forget how Reno-based disruptors like Talage, Q&D Construction, and Biograph Inc.

are shaking up industries with their cutting-edge digital solutions.

If you're a tech pro looking to level up your career, Reno is where it's at. The collaborative community, supportive resources, and access to top talent from schools like the University of Nevada, Reno make it the perfect playground for growth.

According to the Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NCET), upskilling in emerging tech, cultivating that entrepreneurial mindset, and networking within Reno's thriving tech scene are key moves.

As Karen Anderson, NCET's President & CEO, puts it,

"Reno's startup ecosystem is at an inflection point, poised to become a major hub for innovation and disruptive technologies. For tech professionals, this presents an unprecedented opportunity to shape the future and leave a lasting impact."

The time to get in on the action is now – check out these top tech companies leading the charge!