‘A dam about to burst’: Pipeline of startups eying Reno-Sparks bigger than ever amid COVID

Doug Irwin

RENO, Nev. — “I feel like there’s a dam about to burst,” says Doug Erwin, spreading his arms wide. “We have a big pipeline and people are like, ‘As soon as it’s safe to travel, I’m coming.’” 

In fact, Erwin, vice president of entrepreneurial development at EDAWN, told the NNBW in a video call that Northern Nevada’s pipeline for relocating startup companies — as well as larger established companies — is as big as it’s ever been. 

After all, the coronavirus pandemic has driven many startup companies to rely on functioning remotely. This is especially true in dense tech hubs like the Bay Area, where COVID cases are spiking and restrictions are tightening.

These factors, Erwin feels, will only accelerate the growing trend of startups pulling stakes from cramped Silicon Valley and planting in vast Northern Nevada. 

With a lower cost of living, higher chance of sticking out, easier access to the outdoors and friendlier tax climate, many Bay Area entrepreneurs were already leaning toward a Reno-Sparks move prior to the pandemic.

Read the entire story in the Northern Nevada Business Weekly: https://www.nnbw.com/news/a-dam-about-to-burst-pipeline-of-startups-eying-reno-sparks-bigger-than-ever-amid-covid/