Reno Startup Week: Fueling New Ideas, Fostering Connections, and Building a Thriving Ecosystem
🎙️ Welcome to Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy!
In this dynamic episode, host Mary Meyer brings together an inspiring panel of Reno’s entrepreneurship leaders—including Doug Erwin, Candi Block, Monica Terrero, Daniel Smith, Melissa Saavedra, and Allison Greene—to give you an insider’s look at Reno Startup Week.
Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a seasoned entrepreneur, or just startup-curious, this episode unpacks how a free, week-long event can help launch, grow, and nourish local small businesses and innovation, and why removing cost barriers for entrepreneurs is so vital.
Get ready for takeaways on networking, pitch competitions, government support, community organizations, wellness initiatives, and much more, straight from the passionate volunteers and ecosystem builders making it happen.
🌟 Topics Covered:
- What is Reno Startup Week and who is it for?
- The power of keeping entrepreneurial resources free
- How government and nonprofits collaborate to support founders
- Pitch competition: structure, prizes, and founder stories -Breakout sessions on funding, scale, tech, retail, and AI
- Resource fairs for the Latino community and all small businesses
- Health & wellness activities for founders (meditation, yoga, more)
- Networking and making real connections in Reno’s startup scene
- Closing celebrations and the role of arts, music, and fun
Key Takeaways:
- Reno Startup Week is intentionally free, maximizing accessibility for all—regardless of financial means or background.
- Startup resources and networking should be open to the full spectrum of entrepreneurs, from tech innovators to brick-and-mortar business owners, across all demographics.
- Government collaboration (via Nevada’s Governor’s Office of Economic Development) is critical for removing barriers, providing resources, and making real, systemic change for small businesses.
- Pitch competitions and resource fairs empower founders to share ideas, gain exposure, and tap into vital networks.
- Wellness and personal growth are just as important for entrepreneurial success as strategic know-how.
- Networking is built into every layer of the week, from casual coffee to structured sessions and inclusive celebrations.
- AI and current tech trends are not just for “techies”—established local businesses will find actionable tools and education.
- Reno Startup Week is a living example of how community, public support, and open access create fertile ground for entrepreneurship.
Some Questions I Ask:
- Why is it so important for Reno Startup Week to be free, and what impact does that have for would-be entrepreneurs?
- How does government involvement (via GoED) directly help remove barriers to business creation and growth?
- What is the value of the pitch competition for new founders—and what can participants (and even audience members) expect to gain?
- How are specific groups (like the Latino business community) being included and supported during Startup Week?
- What kinds of breakout sessions and topics can attendees expect—and how have AI and current trends shaped this year’s content?
- How is wellness integrated into Startup Week, and why does founder mental health matter?
- What is EDAWN’s role in building the Reno entrepreneurial ecosystem?
- For out-of-town listeners: how can people get involved, travel in, or find similar support in their regions?
Learn More About Our Guests: (Douglas Erwin, Candi Block, Monica Terrero, Daniel Smith, Melissa Saavedra, Allison Greene – No individual handles were mentioned, but organizations are a great starting point) –
Follow the organizations:
- EDAWN (Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada): https://edawn.org/
- Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Office of Entrepreneurship: https://goed.nv.gov/programs/entrepreneurship/
- Startup World Cup: https://www.startupworldcup.io/
- Growth Pioneers Podcast (hosted by Doug Irwin): https://growthpioneerspodcast.libsyn.com/
- Reno Startup Week (official site): https://www.renostartupweek.com/
- Reno Experience District: https://www.redreno.com/
- Whitney Peak Hotel: https://www.whitneypeakhotel.com/
- Accio (Monica’s company): https://www.acc.io/
- Deltium (Allison Greene): https://www.deltian.com/
Resources List:
- Reno Startup Week https://www.renostartupweek.com/
- EDAWN https://edawn.org/
- Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GoED): https://goed.nv.gov/
- Startup World Cup by Pegasus Tech Ventures: https://www.startupworldcup.io/ –
- Reno Experience District: https://www.redreno.com/
- Whitney Peak Hotel: https://www.whitneypeakhotel.com/
- Growth Pioneers Podcast: https://growthpioneerspodcast.libsyn.com/ –
- Accio (AI tools for marketers): https://www.acc.io/
- Deltium (Allison Greene’s startup): https://www.deltian.com/
- Northern Nevada SCORE (business mentoring): https://northernnevada.score.org/
- University of Nevada, Reno Innevation Center: https://www.unr.edu/innevation –
- Offbeat Music Festival Reno: https://offbeatreno.com/
- KWINK (Community radio, Reno): https://www.kwinkradio.org/
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Mary Meyer is a podcast host, actor, sales professional, mother and entrepreneur helping people and organizations share meaningful conversations that support health, wisdom, clarity, and growth.
Produced by the All-Talented Erika Christie
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