Reno, the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Nevada’s College of Business, has attracted some of the best female entrepreneurs for its next International Symposium on Women Entrepreneurship: Innovation in a Changing World. The fully virtual event will take place on Monday, March 8th, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on International Women’s Day. It will include speakers from seven US cities, eight countries and four continents.
“There are initial data that women entrepreneurs are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jeannie Reeth, organizer of the event. “Our mission is to build a global community to support the creation and growth of women-owned businesses in all regions and industries. This conference is designed to do just that by providing attendees with an affordable way to get applicable advice, inspiration, and practical solutions that they can immediately apply to their business. We also offer virtual interactive networking opportunities where participants can meet and seek advice from other entrepreneurs and investors. “
According to PitchBook, companies founded by women only made 2.7% of venture capital last year. In the third quarter of 2020, venture finance for female founders reached its lowest quarterly total in three years, while total venture capital investments kept pace with previous years.
“While several women-run funds, female entrepreneurship incubators, and more women-run new businesses have been created in recent years, there are still huge inequalities in this area and the impact of the pandemic has been brutal.” Said Reeth.
At the International Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium, attendees will have the opportunity to actively discuss gender equality, build relationships that will enable them to strengthen their networks, receive education, and identify support resources that can help them grow their business .
New York Times bestselling author Charlene Li will deliver the opening speech of the event, entitled “The Disruption Mindset: How to Lead a Strongly in a Fast-Changing World.” Li is the founder of Altimeter Group, an analyst firm acquired by Prophet in 2015 and named one of the most creative people in the business by Fast Company. An additional keynote will be given by Nancy Duarte, Principal at Duarte, Inc., known as “The Storyteller of the Valley”. Duarte is the author of bestselling and award-winning communications books and runs the largest communications company in Silicon Valley, where she works with 25 of the 50 best brands in the world.
The symposium hosts more than 30 speakers and panelists. A full list of speakers can be found on the event website.
Eight different industry outbreaks provide attendees with a smaller forum where they can hear from speakers from the start-up areas that interest them most. Breakout industries include entertainment; Fashion and beauty; FinTech; Food and beverages; Health care; social entrepreneurship; Travel and tourism; and women in engineering.
“Many of our presenters have started their own businesses and know how difficult it is to be an entrepreneur,” said Reeth. “Your participation in this event is one way that you are paying forward to ensure that other women have the opportunity to move the needle in entrepreneurship.”
Registration for the event is open and places are limited. The cost is just $ 49 for a classic ticket and $ 69 for a deluxe ticket, which covers the cost of two participants. Early bird registration is open until January 31st, reducing the cost of a classic ticket to $ 29 and a deluxe ticket to $ 49. With only 1,000 registration spaces available worldwide, the organizers believe this conference will sell out quickly and encourage interested parties to reserve spaces by registering online.
“While the special focus of this event is on female entrepreneurship, it is meant to be inclusive for anyone who wishes to attend,” said Reeth. “I think a number of people will appreciate this event, including founders and entrepreneurs of all genders, as well as those interested in helping founders through investment, sponsorship or research.”
Full list of speakers
Register for IWES 2021
