In 2023, mobile gaming platform Skillz made a bold bet, relocating its corporate headquarters from San Francisco to Las Vegas. It wasn’t just luck – it was a strategic move by a company that saw alignment between its mission and the city’s entrepreneurial energy.
“Relocating to Las Vegas was a major milestone. The culture here fits us. The fast pace, innovative, and entrepreneurial spirit of the city really aligns with who we are at our core. Las Vegas is rooted in entertainment, competition, and innovation – all things that define Skillz.”
Andrew Paradise, Founder and CEO of Skillz
Founded in 2012, Skillz set out to disrupt the traditional mobile gaming revenue model by eliminating intrusive ads and in-app purchases in favor of a player-versus-player competition model.
“As a lifelong gamer, I saw an opportunity to build something better,” said Paradise. “We set out to build a platform that enables developers to monetize competition so that game developers could focus on what they do best, make games.”
Today, the Skillz platform hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide and collaborates with thousands of mobile game developers.
Why Las Vegas?
Skillz now operates out of a 36,000-square foot global headquarters in Southwest Las Vegas. The decision to relocate was driven by a combination of business advantages and cultural alignment.
“Southern Nevada offers meaningful cost advantages, proximity to West Coast markets, and a growing tech workforce,” said Paradise. “Las Vegas also offered the lifestyle our team was looking for. Even well-compensated employees in San Francisco were sharing bunk beds. Here, our employees – whom we call Skillzians – enjoy a better work-life balance and are still just a short flight from the West Coast.”
But lifestyle wasn’t the only factor. Las Vegas’ roots in entertainment, competition, and innovation made it an ideal home for a company like Skillz.
“Las Vegas understands gaming. This city knows what fair play means and shares many of our core values,” said Paradise.
Investing in the Future: Talent Pipelines
Since opening its Las Vegas headquarters in 2023, the company has grown to more than 100 employees, and it continues to hire for operations, engineering, and product roles.
“Hiring in Southern Nevada has changed dramatically over the past decade. When I started in gaming 15 years ago, finding tech talent here was incredibly difficult. Now, people are excited to come to Las Vegas. They’re seeing a different side of the city, and they’re falling in love with it.”
Nicole Singleton, Head of People at Skillz
Skillz has relocated more than 40 employees to Las Vegas in the past 18 months, from entry-level co-op hires to executive leadership, including their CFO and Head of Communications. And they’re building out their workforce with a deliberate approach.
“We’re not hiring just to hit a number. We’re hiring the right people at the right time,” said Singleton, “We’re especially focused on building world-class operations, which aligns well with Las Vegas’ strengths in hospitality and experience.”
One standout element of Skillz’s talent pipeline strategy is its co-op program, which draws top students from prestigious universities. Some roles have received more than 500 applications within a couple of days, a clear indicator of Las Vegas’ growing appeal to tech professionals.
“Co-ops bring incredible energy into the office, and there’s tons of room for them to grow,” Singleton said. “It’s been a very successful program for hiring full-time employees.”
Skillz is also building relationships with local universities, with plans to increase engagement in 2026 through career fairs, hosted events, and deeper collaboration.
“We’re focused on growing talent and also keeping talent here,” Singleton added. “We’ve already hired people who were planning to leave Las Vegas but stayed because of the opportunities we offer.”
“LVGEA and GOED were incredible partners,” Paradise said. “Their support is emblematic of why we chose Las Vegas. The business community here is collaborative, forward-thinking, and genuinely invested in innovation.”
What’s Next
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, company executives say they plan to double down on building out a world-class operations team in Las Vegas, and forging deeper ties with the Las Vegas community.
“Skillz coming to Las Vegas is right on brand for pioneering,” said Singleton. “We’re one of the first tech companies to relocate here, and we’re laying the foundation. I think we’re going to see a more robust tech scene here and more will follow.”
As Skillz continues to grow, it’s helping to redefine what’s possible in Southern Nevada – not just in gaming, but in tech and talent development.
And for any tech CEO contemplating making the move, Paradise has this advice: “Las Vegas isn’t just a great place to live – it’s a smart choice for companies looking to scale.”
To learn more about how LVGEA can help you locate or grow your business in the Las Vegas region, connect with our Business Development team.
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