100 Women Reno

03/18/2026

03/18/2026

We are filled with gratitude and pride as we reflect on the successful completion of the very first 100 Women Pitch Competition.

Three exceptional founders took the stage and delivered thoughtful, inspiring pitches. Each company, NELO, Rely, and With Love Beauty Collective, showcasing innovation, resilience, and purpose. Choosing a winner was no easy task.

Congratulations to NELO, founded by Dr. Chinelo Pearl Nwaogbo, on earning the $10,000 grand prize, and to With Love Beauty Collective, founded by Jaclyn Cameron, for receiving the surprise People’s Choice Award - a true testament to the connection you built with the audience.

What makes this even more meaningful is that this was the first time pitching for both founders. Their courage to step forward embodies exactly what 100 Women was created to support.

The event itself was a true celebration - an incredible turnout, a beautiful venue, great food and drinks, and most importantly, a room full of women and allies uplifting one another. The energy was warm, joyful, and deeply inspiring.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, led by our title sponsor, Nevada Women's Fund, whose support made this event possible. We are equally thankful for the partnership and generosity of Eldorado, Silver Legacy, and Circus Circus, Savvy, She Means Business, Leadership & Training Concierge, Entrepreneur’s Organization, essentL Creator, and Plumas Bank. Your investment in this effort created something truly meaningful.

To every partner, supporter, and attendee - thank you for helping bring this vision to life. We are honored to have shared this experience with you.

We are just getting started. Stay tuned for updates!

03/17/2026

And the winner of the inaugural 100 Women Pitch Competition is… NELO! 🎉

Congratulations to Dr. Chinelo Pearl Nwaogbo, the incredible founder behind NELO, on taking home the $10,000 grand prize!

Pearl’s journey began after experiencing a needlestick injury firsthand - an event that revealed a critical gap in healthcare safety. NELO is now tackling that challenge head-on with smart sharps disposal solutions designed to prevent injuries and protect healthcare professionals through innovative technology and thoughtful design.

Even more impressive? This was Pearl’s first time ever pitching NELO - and her first win.

Join us in celebrating this major milestone and the impact NELO is making in healthcare.

Learn more: https://get-nelo.com/

03/12/2026

As we prepare for 100 Women tomorrow, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors who helped bring this event to life.

Because of their support, we are able to gather 100 women from across our community for a beautiful champagne brunch and to showcase three woman-owned startups who are thriving in our area.

Events like this are only possible when organizations step up to champion women founders and invest in the strength of our local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

We are deeply grateful for their partnership and look forward to celebrating together tomorrow.

03/09/2026

We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support the community has shown for the 100 Women Pitch Competition.

In our inaugural year, tickets have officially sold out.

This event was created with a simple but powerful idea: bring together 100 women to collectively support and elevate a woman-led venture in Northern Nevada. Thanks to this incredible response, the room will be full of women committed to championing entrepreneurship and helping one founder walk away with a $10,000 prize to grow her business.

To everyone who purchased a ticket, shared the event, encouraged a friend to attend, or supported this vision in any way - thank you. Your enthusiasm has made the launch of this event truly special.

We look forward to celebrating together on March 12 and witnessing three inspiring founders take the stage.

02/25/2026

We’re proud to introduce the three incredible founders selected to compete at 100 Women on March 12, 2026!

NELO — Dr. Chinelo Pearl Nwaogbo
A healthcare safety innovator delivering smart sharps disposal solutions.
🌐 https://get-nelo.com/

Rely — Heather Rankow
The world’s most portable rental screening platform.
🌐 https://www.relyestate.com/

With Love Beauty Collective — Jaclyn Cameron
Luxury, hyper-realistic human hair wigs and toppers designed to restore confidence.
🌐 https://www.withlovebeautycollective.com/

These founders will pitch live for a $10,000 award in a room of 100 women and business leaders committed to advancing women-led ventures in Northern Nevada.

Tickets are still available. If you’ve been planning to attend, now is the time to secure your seat. Get yours NOW at: https://tinyurl.com/100-women-tickets

02/14/2026

What happens when 100 women come together with a shared purpose?

A $10,000 award goes directly to a woman-led startup in Northern Nevada.

100 Women is on March 12, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are officially on sale.

Only 100 seats are available. When they’re gone, they’re gone.

Be in the room. Support innovation. Help decide the winner.

Secure your ticket today at: https://tinyurl.com/100-women-tickets

02/07/2026

This is what collective action looks like.

100 tickets. $100 each.
One woman-owned startup awarded $10,000.

Join us on March 12 for 100 Women, a pitch event where every ticket directly contributes to the grand prize and helps elevate women-led entrepreneurship in our community.

📍 Silver Legacy | Expo A
🎟️ Tickets are now available at: https://tinyurl.com/100-women-tickets

02/02/2026

Tickets are now available for 100 Women!

On March 12, 100 women will come together, each contributing $100, to collectively award a $10,000 grand prize to one woman-owned startup. Every ticket purchased directly supports the entrepreneur who wins the pitch competition.

📍 Silver Legacy (Expo A)
⏰ 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
🎟️ Space is limited to 100 attendees

Learn more and secure your ticket: unr.edu/100-women

01/30/2026

100 Women is made possible because of partners who believe in the power of women investing in women. We are honored to recognize Nevada Women’s Fund as our Title Sponsor.

For decades, Nevada Women's Fund has strengthened our communities by advancing economic security, leadership, and opportunity for women and families across Nevada. Nevada Women’s Fund is a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to empowering women and strengthening communities across Nevada. Since their founding, they have worked to identify and fund critical initiatives that support women’s education, career development, and personal growth. Through scholarships, grants, and collaborative programs, they aim to break down barriers and create opportunities that foster self-sufficiency and achievement. Nevada Women’s Fund’s mission is driven by a vision of a Nevada where women can thrive, lead, and make lasting contributions to their families, workplaces, and communities.

Their generosity is not just a sponsorship but also a statement of belief in bold ideas, shared prosperity, and the ripple effect that occurs when women are given access to capital and support.

We are deeply grateful for their partnership and their commitment to building a stronger, more equitable future.

Thank you, Nevada Women’s Fund, for making 100 Women possible!

01/30/2026

You may be asking: Who are the women behind 100 Women?

100 Women was created through intentional partnership and a shared belief that women founders deserve greater access, visibility, and investment within Reno’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Meet the Organizers:

Ania Calvillo-Mason, M.B.A. - University Center for Economic Development (UCED)
Ania works at the intersection of entrepreneurship, economic development, and innovation. Through UCED, and in addition to her strategic planning work, she supports founders and small businesses by building programs, partnerships, and pathways that strengthen long-term economic growth and expand opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Candi Block - Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN)
Candi represents EDAWN’s commitment to cultivating a strong, competitive regional economy. Her work focuses on building a robust startup ecosystem with resources, programs and events that support all founders, ensuring Northern Nevada remains a place where companies and entrepreneurs can scale and succeed.

Sandra Fuentes - U.S. Bank
As the head of Small Business Banking in Northern Nevada, Sandra brings a financial and institutional perspective to the partnership. Through U.S. Bank’s continued investment in small businesses and entrepreneurs, she supports efforts that increase access to capital, education, and resources essential for sustainable growth.

Together, these organizations formed 100 Women to create a focused, high-impact platform where women entrepreneurs are supported, celebrated, and funded by design. This initiative reflects a clear objective: to move women forward as leaders, founders, and decision-makers in Reno’s business community.