AI Day: Practical Tools for Small Business

AI is changing how entrepreneurs build, market, operate, and grow their businesses — and many of the most powerful tools are now accessible to anyone. 

Join the Nevada SBDC for a hands-on day designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners move beyond talking about AI and actually start using it. 

You’ll hear from leaders working at the intersection of AI, startups, and technology, see how an idea can quickly become a working product, and then have the opportunity to build something yourself during our Lovable Vibe-Coding Hackathon. 

No coding experience is required. Come with an idea, a business challenge, or simply your curiosity.

Come for the ideas. Stay for the community. Leave with something you actually built.

What You’ll Experience 

During AI Day, participants will: 

• Explore what AI makes possible for small businesses right now 

• Learn how entrepreneurs are turning ideas into working products with AI 

• See a live walkthrough of building with Lovable 

• Develop an idea for something they want to create 

• Spend the afternoon building during a guided vibe-coding hackathon 

• Share projects, ideas, and lessons with other participants 

AI Day is designed for: 

• Small business owners 

• Entrepreneurs and startup founders 

• Aspiring entrepreneurs 

• Creatives and independent professionals 

• Business professionals curious about practical AI 

• Anyone with an idea they’ve wanted to build but didn’t know where to start 

You do not need to be a programmer or AI expert. 

Bring your laptop, bring your ideas, and come ready to build 

Event Schedule

10:30–11:00 AM — Check-In, Coffee & Networking
Grab some coffee, meet other entrepreneurs, and get settled in for the day. 

11:00–11:10 AM — Welcome & Opening Remarks
A quick introduction to AI Day and what we’ll be building toward throughout the afternoon. 

11:10 AM–12:00 PM — Keynote: What’s Possible Now — AI and the Future of Small Business
Christie Pitts
A look at where AI is today, what’s changing quickly, and the opportunities emerging for entrepreneurs and small businesses. 

12:00–12:45 PM — Networking Lunch
Connect with speakers, fellow entrepreneurs, and members of Nevada’s startup and small business community. 

12:45–1:25 PM — From Idea to Working Product with AI
Heather Rankow
Learn how AI tools are dramatically shortening the distance between an idea and something people can actually use. 

1:25–1:40 PM — What Will You Build Today?
Turn what you’ve learned into an idea. Participants will identify a problem, opportunity, or concept they want to explore during the hackathon. 

1:40–2:20 PM — Build with Lovable: Live Walkthrough
Ethan Clift
Follow along as we go from idea to working application using Lovable and AI-powered vibe coding. 

2:20–2:30 PM — Hackathon Orientation
Form a plan, get your tools ready, and prepare to build. 

2:30–4:15 PM — Lovable Vibe-Coding Hackathon
Now it’s your turn. Build a prototype, business tool, website, application, or experiment with support available throughout the session. Come with your own idea or develop one during the event. 

4:15–4:30 PM — Show & Tell + Wrap-Up
We’ll close the day by sharing what participants built, celebrating progress, and discussing where to go next. 

About the Lovable Vibe-Coding Hackathon

Vibe coding is a new way to build digital tools using natural language prompts instead of traditional code.

During the hackathon, participants will use Lovable to create simple prototypes, websites, workflows, and business tools. The goal is not to build something perfect. The goal is to learn what is possible, experiment with new tools, and leave with something tangible that can be improved after the event.

This session is designed for beginners, non-technical founders, and anyone who wants to explore how AI can help turn business ideas into working prototypes.

Cost

This event is free to attend.
Space may be limited, and registration is encouraged.

Register Today

Join Nevada SBDC on Monday, September 21, at the Innevation Center at the University of Nevada, Reno for a full day of AI learning, networking, and hands-on building.

Explore what AI can do for your business — and leave with something you built yourself.