Statewide Recap: November 17–23
By Lauren Jones, co-founder of Alter New Media, Las Vegas GEW team
A Week of Innovation, Inclusion, and Collective Momentum
Global Entrepreneurship Week Nevada (GEW Nevada) 2025 delivered one of its most ambitious programs to date, activating founders, Veterans, creatives, students, small-business owners, and community leaders across the state. Spanning urban and rural regions from Las Vegas to Ely, the week embodied the theme that continues to define Nevada’s entrepreneurial identity: Together We Build.
With a diverse roster of workshops, summits, pitch events, international collaborations, and leadership-focused programming, GEW Nevada 2025 highlighted the depth, creativity, and resilience of the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Below is the complete recap of official GEW Nevada events held from November 17 through November 23, 2025.
Saturday, November 15
Tech Alley Las Vegas: GEW Nevada’s Official Kickoff Host
November 15, 2025 – Downtown Las Vegas
Tech Alley Las Vegas served as the official statewide kickoff location for Global Entrepreneurship Week Nevada 2025, hosting a full day of programming aligned with this year’s global theme, Together We Build.
The kickoff took place on November 15 in the heart of the Downtown Las Vegas Arts District, attracting founders, Veterans, creatives, technologists, students, and small-business owners from across Southern Nevada and beyond. Despite unpredictable weather, the energy was unmistakable as the community came together to launch a week dedicated to collaboration, innovation, and statewide unity.
A formal kickoff began at 10:00 AM, with opening remarks delivered by Dave Burlin, setting the tone for a day centered on community generosity, shared problem-solving, and collective vision. Throughout the day, the Tech Alley stage highlighted collaboration stories, community innovation projects, and a keynote address from one of Nevada’s emerging tech founders. Interviews by Jason LeDuc of LeDuc leadership were conducted throughout the day.
At 11:00 AM, a featured panel brought together GEW community organizers representing Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Reno. This conversation focused on the question at the heart of GEW Nevada 2025: How can we align and scale entrepreneurship statewide? Panelists discussed regional strengths, opportunities for intercity collaboration, and strategies for building a cohesive statewide innovation economy.
The kickoff showcased the power of Nevada’s ecosystem when its cities, industries, and communities unite with a shared purpose. It also set the tone for the rest of GEW Nevada, signaling a week anchored in action, inclusion, and collective momentum.
About Tech Alley Las Vegas
Nadya Rousseau, Dave Burlin, Ben Laifsky, Breeze, and Elias Benjelloun
Tech Alley is a community-driven initiative rooted in Downtown Las Vegas and built on the belief that innovation grows when people gather consistently, learn together, and openly share ideas. As a hub for entrepreneurs, technologists, creatives, and founders, Tech Alley offers a welcoming environment for anyone interested in building, collaborating, or contributing to Southern Nevada’s startup culture.
The organization hosts monthly meetups on the third Saturday of each month, bringing together a wide range of groups focused on topics such as startup design, fundraising, artificial intelligence, software development, product management, and business operations. These gatherings create regular opportunities for individuals at all stages—first-time founders to seasoned executives—to connect with peers and exchange knowledge.
Beyond events, Tech Alley provides ongoing avenues for skill development and mentorship. Community leaders and resident experts share insights in areas including cybersecurity, business law, SEO, design, fundraising, and blockchain. This multidisciplinary support makes Tech Alley one of the most accessible and impactful resources for entrepreneurs in the region.
DAVE BURLIN
By uniting people across industries and interests, Tech Alley strengthens the creative and entrepreneurial fabric of Las Vegas. Its role as the statewide kickoff host for GEW Nevada underscores its importance as a foundational pillar in the state’s innovation ecosystem—one that continues to foster inclusivity, connection, and long-term community growth.
Monday, November 17
Commerce First Radio Show
88.1 FM Radio, Las Vegas
The week began with a broadcast hosted by Business Advisor Brandon Ward, featuring local entrepreneurs and community organizations. The program amplified the voices of business owners working across Las Vegas and highlighted the resources available to them.
White Pine Small Business Fair & Community Development Jam Session
Bristlecone Convention Center, Ely
Rural Nevada took center stage with a collaborative fair in Ely that brought together small-business owners, nonprofit organizations, stakeholder groups, and residents. The event emphasized community development and shared problem-solving, reinforcing GEW Nevada’s commitment to supporting every corner of the state.
Tuesday, November 18
2025 Southern Nevada Nonprofit Summit
Wynn Las Vegas
This full-day summit convened nonprofit leaders, funders, and mission-driven organizations to explore sustainability, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. Workshops and panels addressed governance, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships designed to strengthen Southern Nevada’s social-impact landscape.
UNR Extension: Navigating Private Financing for Startups
UNR Extension, North Las Vegas
Founders attended an in-person workshop focused on preparing for private investment, evaluating financing options, and understanding investor expectations. The session provided practical tools for startups seeking scalable growth.
Entrepreneur Exchange: National Entrepreneur Day (Featured Event)
StarBase, Las Vegas
One of the week’s cornerstone events, this gathering included the No Bad Ideas Co-Working Exchange and an evening networking mixer. Entrepreneurs from multiple sectors collaborated on ideation, resource sharing, and community building.
Wednesday, November 19
Accessing Nonprofit Grants, Sponsorships, and Resources
An instructional workshop guiding nonprofit leaders through the process of identifying and navigating grant platforms, sponsorship opportunities, and funding databases.
LinkUp: Co-Working and Networking (Featured Event)
WeWork, Las Vegas Blvd
LinkUp provided a structured co-working environment for founders who needed space to collaborate, work, and form connections. During GEW, the gathering attracted a wide range of business owners and innovators.
Tech Alley Henderson in Collaboration with CyRoot Academy (Featured Event)
The Pass, Henderson
Held in recognition of both Veterans Month and GEW, this event showcased Veteran leadership in Nevada’s tech and startup ecosystem. Participants explored pathways into tech careers, entrepreneurship, and community support networks. Mark Phelan presented Tech and human integration.
Culminating in event ticket giveaways to PRIMM Valley Casino, courtesy of Todd Deremer. Nadya Rousseau, Lauren Jones, and Ben Laifsky grace the Tech Alley Stage to discuss Global Entrepreneurship Week and various events occuring in Nevada.
StartUpNV Pitch Day
Innovate Vegas, Las Vegas
Founders pitched their companies for a chance at investment within StartUpNV’s statewide network. The event demonstrated Nevada’s growing investor presence and the state’s momentum in early-stage innovation.
Verus Community Meetup at Aroma (Ahern Hotel)
A networking and educational event focused on blockchain and emerging digital technologies, drawing Web3 enthusiasts, founders, and community members.
Thursday, November 20
Succession Advisors Roundtable (SAR): One Big Beautiful Bill
Sierra Gold, Las Vegas
Entrepreneurs and advisors gathered for an intimate roundtable to discuss long-term business planning, financial strategy, and succession planning.
SilverFlume: Nevada’s First Stop for Business Registration
Online
Participants learned how to use SilverFlume—the state’s official business portal—to streamline licensing, filings, and administrative workloads. This workshop demystified state-level compliance for new and scaling businesses.
UNR Extension: Unique Value Propositions
UNR Extension, North Las Vegas
A strategic workshop exploring how to define and articulate a company’s unique value proposition using the VRIO framework and the principles outlined in “Why Should I Choose You?” Attendees gained clarity on differentiation and competitive advantage.
StartUp Vegas LevelUp (Featured Event)
WeWork, Las Vegas Blvd
A premier gathering for technologists, startup founders, and innovators. The event featured idea pitches, networking, and collaborative conversations to strengthen the valley’s technology ecosystem.
Las Vegas Race Week Digital Social Networking Mixer (Featured Event)
Hosted by Sean Mike Kelly, this mixer blended Race Week’s excitement with digital entrepreneurship and networking, bringing together influencers, content creators, and tech professionals.
Founders Live Reno
Innevation Center, Reno
A high-energy pitch competition where five founders presented 99-second pitches, followed by audience feedback and voting. The event showcased Northern Nevada’s expanding entrepreneurial talent.
Friday, November 21
Korean Delegation in Las Vegas
Blackfire Innovation, Las Vegas
Nevada welcomed an international delegation from Korea for a deep dive into the state’s innovation ecosystem. The program emphasized global collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnership opportunities.
Transformative CEOs Mastermind: Day One (Featured Event)
Private 5-bedroom Residence, Las Vegas
Day One of the Transformative CEOs Mastermind introduced participants to the Three Pillars of Transformation:
Personal Transformation: Developing clarity, confidence, and aligned leadership identity.
Professional Transformation: Elevating strategic growth, visibility, and leadership presence.
Day One featured interactive fireside sessions led by Nadya Rousseau; AI leadership insights from Roy and Cody Meyer; executive coaching with Kate Walker; confidence-embodiment training with Anna Oris; and brand-reinvention strategies from Chera Leigh. Attendees refined their leadership narrative and strengthened their executive presence. Guests included Zenobia Millet and Barry Gaines, founder of GainesCon, their event empowers filmmakers in Sci-Fi, Horror, and Action. It will be held December 4th and 5th at the Brenden Theatre in the Palms Casino.
Saturday, November 22
Transformative CEOs Mastermind: Day Two (Featured Event)
Dress for Success Southern Nevada
Day Two centered on Community Transformation through partnership with Dress for Success Southern Nevada. Participants engaged in one-on-one mentoring sessions, interactive leadership panels, real-world career advisement, and a collective reflection on impact and service. The experience positioned participants not only as business leaders but as catalysts for community advancement.
Sunday, November 23
David Lonergan hosted a fitness hour to help entrepreneurs and veteranpreneurs balance an important aspect of lifestyle. Dave Burlin concludes the week with an entrepreneurs’ gathering at the Alchemist Bar in Chinatown.
GEW Nevada 2025: A Unified, Statewide Achievement
From rural gatherings in Ely to international collaboration in Las Vegas, GEW Nevada 2025 demonstrated the remarkable breadth of the state’s entrepreneurial landscape. The week reinforced several core pillars of Nevada’s ecosystem:
• Collaboration across urban and rural regions
• Access to education, capital, and practical tools
• Support for nonprofits and social-impact leaders
• Celebration of Veteran entrepreneurship and workforce pathways
• Leadership development through intimate, high-touch programming
• Recognition of the power of global partnerships
• Emphasis on community service as an essential element of entrepreneurship
Throughout the week, founders, executives, creatives, and community leaders proved that entrepreneurship in Nevada is driven not only by innovation but also by generosity, connection, and a shared commitment to building together.
GEW Nevada 2025 stands as a testament to what is possible when a statewide community commits to a collective vision: to empower leaders, uplift communities, and build the future in collaboration.
Happening November 17–23, 2025, Global Entrepreneurship Week unites entrepreneurs, creators, and community builders in more than 180 countries and across 40,000-plus events worldwide.
Shoutouts of Sponsors
VetsinTech – Ikram Mansori
Jessica Naves (GEW Nevada brochure designer)
Alive Print Shop – Austin Boyd
GEW Nevada Community Organizers
Las Vegas – Nadya Rousseau & Lauren Jones, Alter New Media
North Las Vegas – Elias Benjelloun, TechStart.ai & Nevada Partners, Inc.
Reno – Lurdes Madrigal, MBA, ASBC®, Nevada Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
Henderson – Ben Laifsky, Hunter Marketing
State Support – Shaq Cruz & Melissa Saavedra, Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED)
Community Partners
Taylor Goodyear, Social Exchange Group
Tyler Gallo, Das Erbe Collective
Joshua Leavitt & Lorraine Yarde, Tech Alley