Entrepreneur in Residence Program
About the Program
The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program is UNLV's bridge between university innovation and real-world impact. Funded by the Knowledge Fund GOED and managed by the Office of Economic Development (OED), the program accelerates the transformation of university-owned technologies into high-tech, market-ready products — fueling economic growth and diversification across Nevada.
How It Works
Entrepreneurs in Residence are seasoned business leaders embedded within UNLV on a short-term basis. They evaluate the university's most promising inventions for commercial viability, then take action — either launching new startup companies or partnering with established businesses to license the technology and bring it to market.
Why It Matters
From lab to marketplace, the EIR Program turns breakthrough research into solutions that improve lives. It reflects UNLV's commitment to being more than an academic institution — serving as an engine for innovation, entrepreneurship, and lasting economic development in the region.
Ready to Turn Innovation Into Impact?
Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to build something meaningful or a business seeking cutting-edge technology, the EIR Program opens the door to UNLV's world of innovation.
Current EIRs
Immediate Past EIRs
- 2025: Christine Zedelmayer, Chief Operating Officer at Equillium, Inc.
- 2024: Richard Sloan, CEO and co-founder of WAVR Technologies
- 2024: Rahul Harkwat, CEO and Founder of Quantum Cooper
“As EIR, I’ve been immersed in a hotbed of amazing research and impressive researchers across various UNLV departments. It has been a thrill to explore and unlock possibilities together with UNLV faculty looking to maximize the impact of their innovations. This is all made easier and faster working together with the passionate people at the UNLV Office of Economic Development. After my few months working in this capacity, I’m more confident than ever that the Las Vegas of the future will be massively shaped by the game changing startups being spun out of UNLV this year.”Richard Sloan
