Reno's Dragonfly Energy Hits the Big Time

It looks like Tesla is not the only lithium ion battery manufacturer to call Reno home.  Reno's Dragonfly Energy hits the big time with their Western Regionals win at the Cleantech Open.  The next hurdle will be the October 15th semifinals.  After that, it is on to the finals and a chance to win money for their company, possible investors and mentorships from all over the world.

The Cleantech Open divides the United States up into eight different categories: Pacific Northwest, Western, Rocky Mountain, Midwest North, Midwest Central, South Central, Southeast and Northeast.  Local startups in each region compete against each other to then advance on to a national competition.  The goal of the Cleantech Open is to identify small companies with big ideas about how to tackle our biggest challenges today: energy, environment and economy.  They then set these businesses up with mentors from around the world to turn their ideas into a reality.  They also help them learn how to get investors interested in their ideas so that they can build up funding.

Dragonfly Energy believes that there is plenty of room for everyone in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries.  While Tesla is a much bigger name, they deal primarily with smaller automotive uses.  Dragonfly, on the other hand, provides this technology for the RV and marine industries.  The company already plans to have them assembled in a facility here in the state.  But a win at the Cleantech Open could help that happen sooner rather than later.

All indicators seem to be pointing to Reno becoming the next Silicon Valley.  Tesla is already talking about Reno jobs at their gigafactory.  The proposed extension of the UNR campus is under review.  Tech-savvy businesses like Apple, Amazon and Zulilyhave already established businesses in the area.  Now that Reno's Dragonfly Energy hits the big time, it looks like even smaller companies are providing a deeper impact on the local economy.  Things are definitely looking up for the Reno community!

Charlene Hamilton and Lesley Veach, Your Reno Real Estate Specialists

Originally posted on our Reno real estate blog here: http://hamiltonveach.com/reno-news/renos-dragonfly-energy-hits-big-time.