Fun Economyâ„¢
Empowering innovation through the delivery of services and products that revolve around immersive experiences in tourism, sports, and entertainment.
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We define the Fun Economyâ„¢ as the global tourism + sports + entertainment industries. Black Fire facilitates innovation in these sectors by leveraging educational training, technology transfer, research, and real-world student opportunities in collaboration with industry partners and the commercialization ecosystem. Through this initiative, we help innovations realize their potential as products and services.
Fun Economyâ„¢ Programs and Services
Zero Labs: Your Nevada-Based Launchpad for Worldwide Innovation
At UNLV’s Office of Economic Development, we're proud to have played a pivotal role in the groundbreaking Zero Labs x UNLV Innovation Launchpad. This achievement is a testament to our ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within our campus and across the wider Nevada community.
This three-day extravaganza, featuring over 36 hours of intensive mentoring and programming, showcased the talents of seventeen startups spanning various industries. Moreover, the Launchpad stands as a historic milestone, marking the largest tech startup event hosted by Black Fire to date and serving as a tangible manifestation of our mission to propel innovation and entrepreneurship forward.
Launchpad Collaborators
Through collaborative efforts with Zero Labs and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), which was bolstered by support from the GOED Knowledge Fund, we established the Launchpad as a vibrant platform that attracted twenty-one brilliant minds from diverse corners of the globe. This initiative resonates deeply with our mission to propel economic development through innovative programs and strategic partnerships.
Gratitude extends to all involved in making this event a reality. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to cultivate more initiatives of this caliber, further solidifying the position of UNLV and Nevada at the forefront of innovation.
Outcomes
The Launchpad has surpassed all expectations, emerging as a phenomenal success story. It has served as a beacon, highlighting UNLV's capacity to empower our students, faculty, and aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide to realize remarkable achievements. The abundance of groundbreaking ideas and unwavering determination on display bodes well for the future of Nevada's economic landscape.
UNLV’s Office of Sponsored Programs
Acknowledging the pivotal role of research in product development, the Fun Economyâ„¢ is teaming up with UNLV's research program to provide supplementary support throughout the innovation process, aiding concepts from ideation to commercialization.
The UNLV research program is a dynamic and multifaceted initiative at the forefront of cutting-edge exploration and innovation. Anchored in the pursuit of knowledge, the program spans a diverse array of disciplines, from the sciences to the humanities, to foster a culture of inquiry and discovery. Researchers at UNLV engage in impactful projects that address real-world challenges and push the boundaries of human understanding. The university's commitment to excellence in research is evident through collaborative efforts, state-of-the-art facilities, and partnerships with industry, government, and the community. UNLV's research program not only advances the frontiers of academic knowledge but also plays a vital role in contributing to societal progress and addressing the complex issues of our time.