November 2026 | Las Vegas, Nevada

More than 200 attendees, an all-female speaker lineup, and 14 local female entrepreneurs came together for the final TEE-UP gathering of 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), celebrating the power of entrepreneurship, innovation, mentorship, and community.

Held during Global Entrepreneurship Week and National Entrepreneurship Month, the event brought together business leaders, founders, students, and members of Southern Nevada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for an evening centered on sharing experiences, building connections, and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The Technology Entrepreneurship Evening: Unlock the Potential (TEE-UP) initiative is designed to connect UNLV students with accomplished entrepreneurs, business leaders, and mentors who can provide practical insights and guidance as students explore their own business ideas. The program is part of UNLV’s broader commitment to developing an entrepreneurial culture that bridges academic learning with real-world opportunities.

Pratheesh Jakkala, UNLV’s Director of Engineering Entrepreneurship and Assistant Professor-in-Residence, plays an important role in advancing these opportunities and connecting students with the resources and relationships needed to turn ideas into viable ventures.

Webflow CEO Linda Tong Shares the Courage to Fail

The evening featured Linda Tong, CEO of Webflow, as its keynote guest for an engaging fireside conversation titled “From Rejection to Reinvention: The Courage to Fail.”

Tong shared insights from her professional journey, discussing the setbacks, failures, and reinventions that helped shape her path as a business leader. Her conversation offered students an opportunity to hear firsthand how resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to embrace uncertainty can become essential ingredients in building a successful company.

Her message reinforced an important part of entrepreneurship: rejection and failure are not necessarily endpoints. They can be opportunities to reassess, learn, and move forward with greater clarity.

An All-Female Lineup Showcases the Strength of Southern Nevada’s Entrepreneurial Community

A standout feature of the final TEE-UP of the year was its all-female invited speaker lineup, bringing together accomplished women representing entrepreneurship, investment, technology, and law.

The invited speakers included:

• Donna Ehart of gener8tor, sharing insights into entrepreneurial resources and opportunities.
• Professor Patience Crowder of the UNLV Boyd School of Law, offering perspectives on the legal considerations surrounding business and entrepreneurship.
• Christel San Diego of Len Jessup’s Desert Forge Ventures, contributing insights from the venture and investment community.
• Savyna R. of TensorWave, sharing perspectives from the technology and innovation sector.

Beyond the speakers, 14 local female entrepreneurs were invited to participate in the evening, creating opportunities for students to engage directly with women who are building businesses, navigating challenges, and contributing to Southern Nevada’s growing entrepreneurial landscape.

Among the entrepreneurs in attendance were Nadya Rousseau and Lauren Jones, co-founders and Joint CEOs of Alter New Media, a Las Vegas-based marketing, media, and technology company.

Through Alter New Media, Rousseau and Jones work with companies across emerging industries, helping founders and organizations develop their brands, strengthen their market positioning, and build visibility. Their participation reflected the value of bringing experienced entrepreneurs into academic environments where students can gain perspectives beyond the classroom.

The evening also welcomed Ikram Mansori, Kadambari Beelwar, Bella Peterson, Zanthippie Macrae, Lina R. Nih, and Constance English, alongside additional business leaders and community members who spent time connecting with UNLV students.

Building Bridges Between Education and Entrepreneurship

The value of TEE-UP extends beyond a keynote presentation or a single evening of networking. By bringing entrepreneurs directly into the university environment, the initiative helps students understand the practical realities of launching and growing a business.

Conversations with founders, investors, executives, and industry professionals give aspiring entrepreneurs access to perspectives that cannot always be captured in a textbook. Students can ask questions, explore potential opportunities, and begin developing relationships with people who have firsthand experience navigating the business world.

For Las Vegas, these connections are particularly meaningful as the region continues to strengthen its position as a destination for technology, innovation, and business development.

The collaboration between UNLV, its entrepreneurial community, and local business leaders demonstrates how meaningful partnerships can help cultivate the next generation of founders and innovators.

Looking Ahead to 2027

As the final TEE-UP of 2026 concluded, the event left attendees with new connections, valuable insights, and renewed enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

With more than 200 attendees, 14 local female entrepreneurs, and an all-female speaker lineup, the gathering offered a fitting conclusion to a year of conversations designed to encourage students to think boldly about entrepreneurship.

The organizers have already hinted at new experiences and surprises planned for 2027, with more opportunities to bring entrepreneurs, students, and industry leaders together.

As Global Entrepreneurship Week and National Entrepreneurship Month highlight the importance of entrepreneurial thinking around the world, UNLV’s TEE-UP initiative offers a meaningful example of how universities and business communities can work together to turn inspiration into opportunity.

The next generation of entrepreneurs is already in the room. The right connections can help them take their next step.