International Innovation Center II To Open Q2
The city of Las Vegas is expanding its successful International Innovation Center @ Vegas (IIC@Vegas) business incubator to a second location. The original center is an 11,000-square-foot space at 300 S. Fourth St. that opened in 2019 as an incubator for companies developing smart technologies that align with city priorities.
The International Innovation Center II (IIC@VegasII) will officially open in the second quarter of this year at 801 S. Main St. in downtown Las Vegas in the former Western Cab Co. building. Building owner and local developer, J Dapper, is currently overseeing a full renovation of the building dubbed The Herbert, named after his father-in-law, Herb Tobman, who acquired Western Cab. Co. in 1965.
The IIC@VegasII at The Herbert spans 7,000 square feet of the building’s total 9,068 square feet and already boasts two tenants: Safe Arbor and CKI Locker. The building is also home to The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
Similar to the IIC@Vegas, the new expansion accommodates up to eight tech companies– both established and emerging – as they work on new technologies that support and align with city priorities, including workforce development, smart technology, at-risk populations, neighborhood development and public safety.
Each company occupies its own pod with a handful of hot desks, work areas that are available to any worker instead of being permanently assigned to an individual. Both domestic and international interest in the IIC@Vegas concept has been strong given the appeal and allure of Las Vegas as a convener of business on a global scale, as well as policies and infrastructure in place to support emerging technologies. Within weeks of opening, the first center – the IIC@Vegas – was fully occupied with a waiting list.
According to Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman, city of Las Vegas, the expectation for the second center is the same. “We already have companies lining up for space at our second Innovation Center,” said Goodman.
“Conventions like CES put the city in the global technology spotlight; and our Innovation District puts in place the infrastructure necessary to support technology development. Our Innovation Centers further enhance the city’s appeal as a great place to develop and test new, cutting-edge technologies that will ultimately uplift quality of life.”
Companies may apply for leases at both centers for a period of three to 12 months during their pilot periods. If a pilot project and/or technology development is successful, the technology may be considered for deployment by the city of Las Vegas. Once a company’s lease term is complete, the city’s Economic and Urban Development Department works with tenants to secure and move into available space in the downtown Las Vegas area or elsewhere in the city.
“The International Innovation Center @Vegas has been an amazing incubator and we are excited to add additional space at the beautifully renovated Herbert building for our second center,” Ward 3 Councilwoman Olivia Diaz said. “The Las Vegas tech community is growing fast and new startup companies are finding much success. We are creating jobs and industries that didn’t exist before, and that is a big win for the community.”
