Vegas Startup Scene January 12th 2026 - CES Is Over but Vegas Startups Are Just Getting Started

CES may be over, but the momentum inside the Las Vegas startup ecosystem is just getting started.In this episode of Vegas Startup Scene, Jason LeDuc breaks down what’s happening right now across Southern Nevada’s tech and startup community—and why founders, investors, and operators should be paying close attention as we head into 2026.This week’s rundown covers key programs, events, and communities shaping the local innovation pipeline—from accelerator cohorts and pitch events to Web3 meetups and founder-driven learning sessions. If you’re building, investing, hiring, or scouting opportunities in Las Vegas, this episode gives you a fast, practical snapshot of what matters and where to show up.The episode also features an on-the-floor interview from CES with Richtech Robotics, a homegrown Las Vegas robotics company that has quietly become a major player in commercial and industrial automation. You’ll hear how their humanoid robots are being deployed in real businesses today - working alongside humans in restaurants, stadiums, and manufacturing environments.Rather than hype, this conversation focuses on what actually makes robotics scalable:• Designing robots that integrate into real-world operations• Making automation financially viable for decision-makers• Using deployed robots to generate meaningful AI data• Scaling responsibly based on proven deploymentsWith more than 450 robots already in the field, Richtech Robotics offers a grounded look at how robotics, AI, and human-centered design are converging—and what that means for founders thinking about scale, investors evaluating real traction, and operators focused on execution.You’ll also hear why Las Vegas continues to emerge as a serious technology hub—especially in robotics, AI, defense innovation, and applied automation—and how community-driven events and accelerators are fueling the next wave of startups.If you’re a founder looking for signal instead of noise…An investor watching where real deployment is happening…Or an entrepreneur building in or around Las Vegas…This episode is for you.💬 Join the ConversationWhat’s the biggest opportunity—or challenge—you see for robotics and AI startups in 2026? Drop your perspective in the comments.Let’s grow the Vegas Startup Scene together.Onward and Upward! 🚀LINKS:StartupNV Website: https://startupnv.disco.co/Startup Vegas Website: https://startup.vegas/Vegas Crypto Group: https://www.meetup.com/vegas-crypto-group/Fusion42 Website: https://fusion-42.com/Fusion 42 Events: https://lu.ma/Fusion-42Zero Labs Website: https://zerolabs.io/AngelNV Website: https://angelnv.com/Richtech Robotics: https://richtechrobotics.com/Want to get your news or event in the rundown? Contact me here:Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership