Time to seize tech opportunity

The technology industry in the United States is looking forward to 2004.

Sales of personal computers are expected to jump by 15 percent.

Industry giants such as Intel Corp.

fared well in 2003, and are anticipating a better 2004.

And declines in high tech employment that slowed in 2003 should continue to improve next year.

The question is will northern Nevada's burgeoning technology industry share in that.

If not, it won't be for lack of trying.

Many forces - both inside and outside the industry are working to foster start-ups and recruit existing technology firms to the area.

"Northern Nevada has a huge opportunity, especially with what's going on in California," said Judi Gardner, manager, worldwide operations at Cisco Systems Inc.

in Reno.

"But to entice companies here you have to have the labor pool."

And that doesn't mean just developing engineers, said Gardner.

"It starts with kindergarten," she said.

"If you're trying to get technology companies here, they're bringing the whole family and kids expect a (technology) curriculum.

The whole education system has got to embrace it and put some focus on technology."

That will benefit companies looking for entry-level and administrative employees who can hit the ground running, said Gardner.

In the Bay Area, Cisco trains new employees for three days to use the company's many software applications.

"We need two weeks here.

People have the desire but they're not as tech savvy."

Gardner and others in the area's technology industry are working on various projects to change that.

Gardner, with Redundant Networks' CEO Janet Fetzer, established the Technology Action Group.

The group has met with Sen.

John Ensign (R-NV), launched a three-month program to give PCs to families of charter school children, and supports the Fireants at the University of Nevada, Reno, a group of engineering students working to develop ties to the business community.

Gardner is also meeting next month with UNR President John Lily and University & Community College System in Nevada Chancellor Jane Nichols, and plans to meet again soon with Sen.

Ensign.

"What I'd like to see more than anything else is silo groups come together and really come up with an overall strategy," said Gardner.

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, too, is looking for ways to collaborate.

"CET is working with EDAWN," the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, "to better understand what we need to do to attract tech companies here," said Alison Estee, executive director at the center.

EDAWN, for example, has formed a technology council to meet quarterly to rev up recruitment of companies, she said.

But as the center's name implies, its primary charter is to help cultivate technology entrepreneurs.

"We're seeing a lot of early stage startups," said Estee.

"It's the beginning of organic growth for the start-up community."

The main seedbed for that is UNR.

Tim Bujr, the director of UNR's Technology Transfer office said his office is now working with six technology developers to help them with financing and other startup needs.

"It's research out of UNR or collaborations with the private sector," said Bjur.

The research projects include chemical sensors, software for oil exploration and medical diagnostics.

And the chances are good that if they have a solid business plan they'll find financing.

According to the American Electronics Industry, Nevada has fared better than most states in terms of venture capital investments here.

In 2002, such investments dropped 7.4 percent here, but that put Nevada in seventh place based on change in venture capital infusions.

Only five states had increases in investments, while California, as an example, saw venture capital money decline by 43.2 percent.

And that should improve more in 2004.