Northwest Arkansas · September 24, 2026

Build Her
Pitch Competition
2026

Arkansas's first all-women pitch competition celebrating bold ideas, early-stage founders, and the women building the future of business.

A high-impact evening where women entrepreneurs take the stage to deliver powerful 60-second pitches — no slides, no props, no notes. Just clarity, confidence, and vision.

September 24, 2026NWACC · Walmart Auditorium60-Second Live PitchesEveryone Welcome

Pitch registration includes the opportunity to pitch live on stage and three complimentary event tickets.

The stage opens in
96
Days
13
Hours
15
Minutes
34
Seconds
Walmart Auditorium · NWACC
Shoemaker Center for Workforce Technologies
60-Second
Live Pitches
No Slides
No Props, No Notes
Women
Founders Only
NW Arkansas
September 24, 2026
About

Build Her is where women build forward together.

Build Her was created to elevate women entrepreneurs with bold ideas and early-stage businesses.

This high-energy pitch competition gives founders the opportunity to take the stage, share their vision, and connect with community leaders, mentors, investors, sponsors, and supporters who believe in women-led innovation.

Unlike traditional pitch events, Build Her keeps the focus on authentic storytelling, confidence, and communication. Each founder has just 60 seconds to pitch live — without slides, props, or notes.

Woman speaking on stage at a business conference
60 seconds. One stage.
Infinite possibility.
Why It Matters

One room can change everything.

For women founders, a mentor who opens a door, a sponsor who believes early, a customer who hears the story — Build Her brings those people into one place for one powerful evening.

Visibility for Women-Led Ideas

A single stage moment can put your business in front of the people who change everything.

Confidence Through Live Storytelling

Sixty seconds. No slides. Just you, your idea, and a room that's rooting for you.

Access to Mentors, Judges & Sponsors

Meet community leaders who actively invest in women-led innovation across Arkansas.

Community That Continues

The momentum doesn't end on event night. Build Her is a growing founder community.

Founder presenting on stage
Who Should Apply

You don't need a perfect deck. You need a clear idea.

Build Her is designed for women entrepreneurs ready to share a bold idea, early-stage business, side hustle, or founder story. You need a clear idea, a strong reason, and the courage to take the stage.

  • You are a woman entrepreneur or founder.
  • You have a business idea, startup, product, service, or early-stage company.
  • You can explain your idea clearly in 60 seconds.
  • You are ready to gain visibility and connect with a supportive community.
Apply to Pitch
The Journey

From application to stage.

01

Apply

Submit your pitch application and tell us about your idea.

02

Get Selected

Selected founders are invited to pitch live on stage.

03

Prepare

Refine your 60-second story with clarity and confidence.

04

Pitch

Step on stage with no slides, no props, no notes.

05

Connect

Meet judges, sponsors, mentors, founders, and supporters.

06

Grow

Compete for prizes and leave with visibility and momentum.

Why Attend

An inspiring evening of ideas, connection, and momentum.

Whether you are a founder, business leader, student, sponsor, mentor, or friend, Build Her is designed for you.

01

60-second live pitches from women entrepreneurs

02

Networking with founders, mentors, investors, and sponsors

03

Community-driven support for women-led businesses

04

Local business leaders and accomplished judges

05

Founder recognition and prize awards

06

Inspiration, collaboration, and innovation

Apply to Pitch

Do you have a bold idea you're ready to share?

Build Her invites women entrepreneurs to step onto the stage and pitch live in front of a supportive community of leaders, founders, sponsors, and judges.

$45 includes the chance to pitch live + 3 complimentary tickets.

Prizes & Opportunities

Leave with more than applause.

Founders leave Build Her with new connections, new confidence, and new doors opening.

Prize Funding
Founder Recognition
Sponsor Visibility
Community Connections
Mentor Access
Post-Event Momentum
Meet the Judges

Accomplished women. Real-world wisdom.

Build Her features a panel of accomplished women business leaders and entrepreneurs who are passionate about supporting the next generation of founders.

Nicole Trudo

Nicole Trudo

Founder · Mojo Marketing (exited) · Crumbl Cookies NWA

Nicole built and sold her marketing agency Mojo Marketing, and owns multiple Crumbl Cookies locations in NWA. She brings sharp insight, scaling experience, and big 'you can do this' energy.

April Roy

April Roy

Founder & CEO · femPAQ

April leads femPAQ, a mission-driven company changing the conversation around women's health and access to period care. Proof that purpose and profit grow side by side.

Ericka Young

Ericka Young

Founder & CEO · Young's Moving Service

Ericka grew Young's Moving Service from a side hustle into one of NWA's most trusted moving companies. She leads with heart while running a tight, scalable operation.

Amber Taggard

Amber Taggard

Founder · The Organizer Chicks

Amber is a nationally recognized organizer, speaker, and coach. With a mental health background, she turns chaos into clarity with strategy, empathy, and confidence.

In Partnership With: Startup Junkie, Pivotal Solutions, WonderLight
Sponsorship Opportunities

Build Her is made possible through community partnership.

Sponsors play a critical role in helping Build Her create opportunity, confidence, and visibility for the next generation of women-led businesses.

Presenting Sponsor
Presenting

Community Partner

$15,000
  • Presenting / top-tier sponsor recognition
  • Includes $5,000 directed toward 1st Place Prize
  • Featured judge seat on the panel
  • 3-minute on-stage speaking opportunity
  • Help present a major award
  • Premium logo placement across event marketing
  • Verbal recognition during opening & closing
  • Reserved VIP table for six attendees
  • Dedicated sponsor spotlight on social media
  • Prominent on-site signage placement
Become a Presenting
Leadership

Ecosystem Builder

$7,500
  • Leadership-level sponsor recognition
  • Includes $2,500 directed toward prize funding
  • 2-minute on-stage speaking opportunity
  • Present an award or be recognized at a key moment
  • Prominent logo placement on website & program
  • Reserved table for six attendees
  • Social media recognition before the event
  • Recognition during the event program
Become a Leadership
Champion

Founder Champion

$5,000
  • Recognition as a Founder Champion Sponsor
  • Includes $1,000 directed toward prize funding
  • 1-minute on-stage speaking opportunity
  • Logo placement across website & program
  • Digital spotlight feature
  • Recognition during the event program
  • Reserved table for six attendees
  • Social media recognition
Become a Champion
Supporter

Innovation Partner

$2,500
  • Recognition as an Innovation Partner
  • Logo / name on website and printed program
  • Verbal acknowledgment during the event
  • 4 event tickets
  • Recognition as a supporter of women entrepreneurs
  • Inclusion in sponsor thank-you promotions
Become a Supporter
Event Details

Mark your calendar.

Date
September 24, 2026
Doors open at 6:00 PM CT
Venue
NWACC · Walmart Auditorium
Shoemaker Center for Workforce Technologies, Northwest Arkansas
Audience
Open to Everyone
Friends, family, teams, supporters, mentors, and the community
General Admission
$15

Take your seat for the evening of pitches, prizes, and connections.

Reserve a Seat
Pitch Registration
$45

Includes the chance to pitch live + 3 complimentary event tickets.

Apply to Pitch
FAQ

Good questions, clear answers.

September 24, 2026

The stage is set.
Will you take it?

Build Her is more than an event — it's a launchpad. Apply, attend, or sponsor and become part of Arkansas's bold new founder movement.

Get TicketsApply