Hey {{first_name|there}},
The deal
This week, VMware Explore turns the Venetian into a four-day cloud and AI conference, big enterprise money and attention landing right on the Strip. Meanwhile Zoox just started charging real money for its robotaxi rides here, its first paid ride anywhere in the world. That's Vegas tech in one week: big players showing up, and experiments turning into real businesses. If you're building something smaller, there's still plenty to walk into, from a drone expo to a Web3 mixer.
The score
Zoox's robotaxi rides on the Strip just got a price tag. After nearly a year of free rides, Amazon's self-driving car company started charging passengers in Las Vegas on August 10, its first-ever paid robotaxi service anywhere. It's a sign this tech is turning into a real business here, not just a demo. Read the story
The Strip (Tech Edition)
Spotlight
VMware Explore 2026
Monday, August 31 through Thursday, September 3 | The Venetian Expo
Broadcom takes over the Venetian for four days of cloud and AI infrastructure talk, 400-plus sessions, hands-on labs, and certs. It's built for IT pros, not scrappy founders, but if you run a small team and want to see what "Private AI Cloud" actually means, the Hub networking space and partner floor are worth a walk-through even without a full pass. Event details
This Week, Day by Day
Monday, August 31
VMware Explore 2026 kicks off at the Venetian Expo, runs through Thursday. See Spotlight above. Details
Tuesday, September 1
Commercial UAV Expo (Drone World Expo) 2026 opens at Caesars Forum, running through September 3. Drone tech builders and operators from across the industry. Details
Wednesday, September 2
Web3 Wednesdays - 7 to 9 PM @ Loaded Empanadas, Summerlin | Vegas Crypto Group's monthly mixer for Web3, AI, and blockchain folks. Free, casual, always runs late. Details
On the Horizon
G2E 2026 (Global Gaming Expo) - Sept 28-Oct 1 @ The Venetian Expo | Vegas's biggest gaming industry gathering, casino operators and suppliers, plus a growing slice of gaming and iGaming tech startups. Zero Labs' accelerator (see The stack, above) times its cohort right before it. Details
CES 2027 - Jan 6-9, 2027 | The world's biggest tech show lands back in Vegas. If you're going, book your hotel absurdly early, rooms disappear months out. Registration for CES 2027 hasn't opened yet, sign up for the notification so you don't miss it. Details
Startup Week Las Vegas - Feb 17-20, 2027 | StartUpNV's flagship gathering for founders, designers, and developers. Months out, but worth the calendar hold if you like to plan ahead. Details
Running an event? Hit reply and tell us about it, we're always looking for good ones to include.
The stack
International Innovation Center @ Vegas. Nevada's startup hub, run by StartUpNV, sits blocks from Fremont Street downtown. Members get 24/7 access, hot desks run $150/month. Details
Zero Labs Casino & Gaming Innovation Launchpad. A free, no-equity, 3-day accelerator timed to G2E, running September 25-27. Applications are open now and reviewed on a rolling basis, no fixed deadline yet. Apply
The ask
What's your biggest tech headache in Vegas right now? Funding, hiring, finding your first customers, something else? Hit reply and tell us, we read every single one.
Haven't taken our 30-second survey yet? Take it here so we know what to send you. Running an event or got a tip? Submit it here.
Last call
One more thing: if VTP was worth your two minutes, forward it to one person building something in Vegas. That's how this actually grows.
Running an event or got news we should know about? Hit reply, we'd rather hear it straight from you than miss it.
Vegas Tech Post
See you next week.
— Charles