His journey from a Las Vegas Paperboy and construction worker to an accelerated Chief Information Officer(CIO)is a powerful blue print story for community driven tech ecosystemsÂ



The founder of Tech Alley is Joshua Leavitt (also referred to as Josh Leavitt). He established the organization to unify local meetup groups and consolidate the technology and startup community under a single, recurring full-day event

Driven by the philosophy of "dressing the part and becoming the part," His story proves that mindset, resilience, and networking can bridge the gap between traditional blue-collar labor and high-level technology leadership. The central pillar of this evolution is Tech Alley, a transformative initiative launched in 2021 to democratize the local tech scene. Inspired by the legacy of Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project and Brad Feld’s Startup Communities, Tech Alley functions as an inclusive, highly accessible "flea market of creative ideas." It serves as a vital non profit workforce pipeline, taking tech out of the shadow of the Vegas Strip and rooting it deeply within local communities like Henderson, St. George, and New York. By strictly adhering to an open-source community blueprint, the organization provides a free, sales-free environment where students, aspiring software engineers, and seasoned mentors can connect. What began as a modest gathering of 40 people in May 2021— just as pandemic restrictions lifted—has scaled remarkably into a thriving network of over 4,000 members. Tech Alley’s core mission is to solve the critical "Point A to Point B" dilemma for local talent, especially those coming from underfunded school districts or pivoting from service industry jobs like busboys. By hosting meetups on campus and collaborating directly with city officials, the initiative accelerates professional success and brings economic vitality into the arts districts. It provides the physical space and necessary foundation for breakthrough moments, such as the emergence of 3D printing startups. Ultimately, your narrative shows that while running a startup is always a risk, navigating past bad luck requires a dedicated collective. Tech Alley proves that a single, strictly followed formula can cultivate an enduring, open ecosystem where anybody can take action, show up, and lead

