By CommPro.biz Editorial StaffCircular Board, an accelerator for women entrepreneurs, announced the second Circular Summit, a convening of high-growth female founders, mentors, investors and media. Centered on the theme of getting real in order to create a stronger, bolder, more open ecosystem for women entrepreneurs, Circular Summit will take place March 30-31, 2017 in Houston, Texas. It will be an action-oriented series of workshops, panels and TED-style talks led by some of the country’s most successful women and supportive men in business.“Circular Board was created to serve as a conduit between women entrepreneurs and the resources they need to achieve smart and fast growth. We know from the women we serve, and as entrepreneurs ourselves, that access to capital, knowledge and mentorship are at the top of the needs list, and we help link them to those critical resources,” said Carolyn Rodz, founder and CEO, Circular Board, and co-chair, Circular Summit.“The Circular Board virtual accelerator reaches hundreds of female founders on six continents each year through the open roads of technology. It’s magic – with a strong shot of hard work – to watch the participants grow throughout and after the 12-week program. Circular Summit is our opportunity to take these conversations and this connectedness offline and into live action,” she added.“If women were allowed to participate equally in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the United States GDP alone could rise by $30 billion. Worldwide, women also reinvest 90% of their income back into their communities. Women entrepreneurs are an incredible bet for global growth and problem solving, and we’re committed to seeing that potential realized,” said Elizabeth Gore, Dell entrepreneur-in-residence and Circular Summit co-chair.Circular Board also announced that applications are open for Pitch with Purpose, a global pitch competition for women entrepreneurs whose companies embrace the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit and support the resolution of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Qualified companies must have at least one female founder or female CEO and be fully operational. All entries must be received by February 15, 2017. The winner of a cash prize, mentorship and Dell technology suite will be announced at Circular Summit."At a time when global challenges need everyone to bring solutions to the table, we welcome the entrepreneurial drive and perspective of this remarkable community. We at the United Nations Foundation know that sustainable development for a more peaceful, prosperous world starts with engaging with people who are at the forefront of innovation and who know how to make a business thrive in an ever-changing, more connected world,” said Aaron Sherinian, chief communications and marketing officer, United Nations Foundation, and Circular Summit emcee. We look forward to joining the Circular Board's convening and learning from the solutions that these pitches and connections bring to the global conversation."