Unlock three years of growth in three days.
Nevada’s premier launchpad for founders who move fast, think big, and ship early.
67
Companies Accelerated to Market
100
Founders Building the Future
3
Days to Investor Readiness
Take a look behind the scenes of Cohort 4 with this great Innovation Launchpad recap.
From customer discovery to demo day, see how early-stage founders in hospitality, sports, gaming, and entertainment grew during our three-day program.
How to Apply
10 Minute Web Application
Tell us the basics about you and your project, its origins, and its current status.
15 Minute Interview
We review applications on a rolling basis, then book a 15-minute video chat to learn more about you & your team
Get a Decision
We try to make decisions swiftly after the interview is complete, aiming to have a complete cohort selected 30 days before the program begins.
Launchpad Schedule
Evening Before (July 5): Optional Welcome Reception & Networking
—Kick off with a welcome drink, meet your cohort, and mingle with Zero Labs mentors & alumni.
Alumni Perspectives
Hear directly from our founders how the Launchpad impacted their companies.
Media Gallery
FAQ
Answers to our most commonly asked questions.
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The Innovation Launchpad is a 3‑day pre‑accelerator where founders rapidly validate, prototype, and prepare investor‑ready pitches with Zero Labs and UNLV experts. text goes here
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From July6–8, 2025, at the Black Fire Innovation campus in Las Vegas, NV.
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We’re accepting early‑stage startups across all of Las Vegas’ core industries, with a special focus on Sports for this cohort.
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Three days of intense work on your project, supported by our team and subject matter experts, along with closed networking—all culminating in pitch presentations to investors and operators from across the ecosystem.
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Zero Labs, UNLV’s Office of Economic Development, the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, industry mentors from hospitality, sports, gaming, and our individuals from across our subject‑matter‑expert network.
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Not directly—the program is free to attend. In exchange, Zero Labs secures the right to participate in your next fundraise if you choose to raise outside capital.
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There is no fee to attend. We invest our time in exchange for a right to participate in your next priced round.
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You can bring only 1 co-founders with you. That means a total of 2 people, including yourself, can participate as founders from your team.
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Continued access to our mentor network, invitations to alumni events, and priority consideration for future Zero Labs programs and introductions to investors.
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The evening before (October 3) we host an optional Welcome Reception & Networking—kick off with a drink, meet your cohort, and mingle with mentors & alumni.
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The program is open to founders building in all of Las Vegas’ core industries. Cohort 5 will have a particular focus on sports, in alignment with UNLV’s SEI-Con conference.
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Founders will work on their projects side by side with industry mentors throughout the weekend, additionally there is a closed networking event with the broader ecosystem as well as opportunities to connect with other individuals during final presentations on Day 3.
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Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, interviews will begin mid May with the goal of completing the cohort by June 10th.
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After you complete the application on our website, our team will review it for fit with the upcoming cohort. If you move forward, there is a 15 minute interview with our team to get to know you better and then final decisions are made.
Is the Innovation Launchpad right for you?
Pre-Launch
Actively developing your product or service.
Post-Launch
Product in market with active users
Post-Revenue
Generating revenue with paying customers
Our Focus Industries
Our focus is on the industries that are the foundation for Las Vegas’ present success and vital to its future prosperity.
Present: Hospitality Sports Gaming Entertainment
Emerging: Biotech Aerospace Energy Water And More