Gabelli Ignite is a new startup launchpad, sponsored by the Mario J. Gabelli Innovations Program, that helps University of Nevada, Reno students and scholars build their own high-growth businesses through a structured, nine-month, high-accountability pathway. The highly competitive program is free and covers many of the costs of setting up and growing the business.
“Unlike traditional pitch competitions, Gabelli Ignite is designed to turn a student’s raw idea into a real, fundable business,” Rajul Misra, Ph.D., program director for Gabelli Ignite, said.
Having spent 25-plus years in Silicon Valley taking multiple startups through successful exits, Misra now plans to bring his playbook to the University students.
Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open to undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars across all disciplines.
“The talent to build the next generation of great companies is already sitting in University classrooms,” Daniel Lofrese, private wealth advisor with Gabelli, said. “What has been missing is the infrastructure and mentorship to help it flourish; that is exactly why we are backing Gabelli Ignite, and why I am excited to be part of it.”
Students can submit their initial idea or the full proposal through the Gabelli Ignite website. From the proposals received, 10 teams will be shortlisted to present at the Student Entrepreneurship Day, to be held in early October. An introductory workshop will be held on Sept. 11, 2026. Student teams are expected to be about two to four individuals, but there is no formal restriction on team size. Based on their presentations, five out of the 10 teams will be selected to participate in the nine-month Gabelli Ignite Program.
“Nevada is at an inflection point, with a diversifying economy, a growing tech corridor and a leading national university,” Mridul Gautam, senior vice president for Research and Innovation at the University, said. “Gabelli Ignite connects those strengths by helping students turn ideas into companies and keeping talent, investment and innovation in Nevada.”
At an announcement event for the Mario J Gabelli Innovations Program last year, the University welcomed the program’s namesake and a visionary in global investment and innovation – Mr. Mario J. Gabelli (middle), chairman and CEO of GAMCO Investors, Inc.
The program is designed to strengthen Nevada’s startup ecosystem by helping students and scholars launch companies, connect with investors and build businesses in the state after graduation.
All teams will work through a structured lab-to-market process with three checkpoints.
The first checkpoint is called Business Case Validation, where a business idea or problem is identified, market size is researched, and the competitive landscape is verified.
If a team makes it past this first checkpoint, they will receive up to a $10,000 non-dilutive award. This award can be used for reimbursement of actual expenses and procurement of materials for proof-of-concept.
From there, teams will go through two more checkpoints; the second being the Proof of Concept, and the third is the Go-to-Market checkpoint.
Teams that complete the program and pass all three checkpoints will then be moved on to pitch their business idea to a rolling panel of seasoned venture capitalists.
The judges will determine whether a business is ready for venture capital funding and may choose to invest directly, nominate the team for a Gabelli Entrepreneurship Award, or do both.
“Investing in someone before the world tells them they are ready pays dividends,” Marissa Dean, director of the Innevation Center, said. “That is exactly what the Gabelli Ignite program will do, both for our students and Northern Nevada.”
Students and scholars are invited to submit their initial idea or the full proposal on the Gabelli Ignite website and attend the initial workshop, with or without a proposal.
Any questions or inquiries should be directed to Program Director Rajul Misra atrajulm@unr.edu,or Director of the Innevation Center Marissa Dean atmarissadean@unr.edu.
Note: The photo within this article includes, from left to right, Brian Sandoval, president of the University of Nevada, Reno; Tom Burns, executive director, Governor’s Office of Economic Development; Mario J. Gabelli, chairman, chief executive officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc.; Mridul Gautam, senior vice president for Research and Innovation at the University; and Taylor Adams, president and CEO, Northern NV Now.
Research & Innovation |Aug. 26, 2026
