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Monday, November 9, 2026 at 7:01 PM

Fernley Reporter is one of 10 finalists in Governor's statewide Business Pitch Competition

Fernley Reporter is one of 10 finalists in Governor's statewide Business Pitch Competition
Courtesy State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry

Carson City, NV- The Fernley Reporter is one of 10 Business Pitch Competition finalists that have been selected to pitch their company’s product or service to a panel of judges at the sixth annual Governor’s Conference on Business in Sparks on August 17.

Each of the finalists will have two minutes to make their pitch, followed by a three-minute Q&A session with the judges.

After the judges’ panel confers and the audience casts its vote for their favorite pitch, the first place, second place, and people’s choice winners will be announced at the conference luncheon. The winning competitors will take home awards from a pool of cash and services totaling $31,600 thanks to the generosity of sponsors AT&T, Microsoft, The Abbi Agency and VAST.

The finalists that were selected to compete at the Business Pitch Competition at the Governor’s Conference on Business include:

Northern Nevada

  • AboveGeo (Reno) - an aerial services and data company that provides high-resolution geospatial data collection and analysis through leading edge drone and sensor technologies

  • Buzz.Tools (Reno) - a Software as a Service (SaaS) based group advocacy solution for businesses, charities, political causes or any group passionate about their ideas

  • Pb+J Collective (Reno) - a boutique nanny placement service that matches families and childcare providers based upon each individual’s needs

  • Talage Insurance (Reno) - provides a software based solution that enables the sale of commercial insurance policies from insurance carriers to small business owners through any digital channel, streamlining the process of comparison and purchase.

  • The Fernley Reporter (Fernley) - an online newspaper covering Fernley news, events and

  • sports

  • TrenLot, Inc. (Reno) - offers automated workflow and project management software coupled with Internet of Things to the construction industry


Southern Nevada

  • Classes.Vegas (Las Vegas) - provides a one-stop solution for pre-employment services in the areas of CPR certification, lifeguard certification, alcohol awareness and fingerprinting required to obtain work cards

  • ClearSpace Aeronautics (Las Vegas) - offers complete drone traffic management for aircraft and cities using a patent-pending technology that facilitates safe drone flight

  • Comped Marketing (Las Vegas) - an advertising distribution platform powered by artificial intelligence that uses facial recognition, a camera and a digital screen to create customer-tailored ads for audiences within rideshare vehicles

  • StartUpNV (Las Vegas) - a business incubator that helps entrepreneurs and startup companies throughout the state


All qualified applications were evaluated by five judges independently to determine the 10 finalists.

The same five judges will convene as a panel on August 17 to evaluate the live pitches. Judges for the event include: Mark Hutchison, Lieutenant Governor, State of Nevada; Tanya McCaffery, CEO, VAST; David Schmall, Business Sales Specialist, Microsoft; Stephanie Tyler, Nevada and Western Region President, AT&T; and Abbi Whitaker, President, The Abbi Agency.

Sam Shad, veteran broadcaster and host of Nevada Newsmakers, will moderate the live pitch competition.

Admission to attend the Business Pitch Competition is included with a ticket to the Governor’s Conference on Business 2017. The conference takes place at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks from 7:30 am to 2 pm. Tickets can be purchased online for $40 prior to August 15. The Business Pitch Competition is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. For more information about the conference, or to register to attend, visit http://business.nv.gov/GCB/Home.

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Comment author: Donald DeVold Comment text: Great article It’s actually spelled DeVold Thank you Comment publication date: 10/29/26, 4:58 PM Comment source: The great robbery: Strip-6 by Solis helps Vaqueros punch playoff ticket Comment author: CH Comment text: I want to start a betting 'pool' for the October, November, and December closures: 1. A dent in the pool slide. 2. A failed breaker. 3. A pebble loose in the water part (replacing all concrete) 4. Hurricane Polo makes a sudden turn and blows off the roof (again). With soft muscles after 7 months of no swimming, the only health left is my sense of humor :) Comment publication date: 10/1/26, 11:18 AM Comment source: Fernley Pool Renovation Moves Forward, One Test at a Time Comment author: PFB Comment text: Why can't you guys find competent contractors.. For a large municipal facility like the indoor-outdoor Fernley Swimming Pool located at 300 Cottonwood Lane, a complete ground-up commercial build or major structural renovation typically spans 6 to 12 months or longer when factoring in large-scale engineering, public municipal permitting, specialized commercial HVAC/roofing, and health department inspections. The current renovation has been- The Fernley Swimming Pool has been closed for approximately six to seven months since late February 2026 for a major roof replacement and facility renovation. Now you sat October. Soooo 8 months for a new roof. The picture shows no other renovations. Comment publication date: 9/17/26, 7:14 PM Comment source: Electrical problem delays Fernley pool opening Comment author: P Comment text: Relative of the Mayor is to over see this site. Anyone who knows Fernley KNOWS this is more of the who you are related to and know business in this town. VOTE THEM ALL OUT AND THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPLANTS. Comment publication date: 9/16/26, 10:31 PM Comment source: Lift Station Failure Released Untreated Sewage Comment author: Christopher Walsh Comment text: Could you look into the strong recurring smell around Fernley? It smells like sewage and it can be bad enough that people don’t want to be outside or open their windows. It would be helpful to get an investigative journalist help the Fernley residents get a clear answer from the City, NDEP, and any involved facilities. I was really disappointed that the smell was not disclosed by my realtor when I moved here. I enjoy Fernley and am seeing the improvements that are being made. With Appreciation Comment publication date: 9/12/26, 2:49 PM Comment source: Sewage spill near City of Fernley Municipal Well 9 Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry