An abundance of supportive organizations and other resources are within reach for Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurs, and a new online platform is now ready to guide the way.
The StartupNWA Hub is built in partnership with EcoMap Technologies (EcoMap), a category-defining ecosystem intelligence AI software company, and links entrepreneurs to accelerators, business associations and investors in one comprehensive, searchable, up-to-date package.
A grant from the Walton Family Foundation will allow the Council to take advantage of EcoMap’s infrastructure, while the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OEI) will provide support to assist users and ensure the website’s information is continually updated.
“Northwest Arkansas needs new businesses and innovations to keep its place as one of the nation’s most dynamic and thriving regions, and we need to do all we can to get the needed tools into entrepreneurs’ hands,” said Nelson Peacock, Northwest Arkansas Council president and CEO. “These innovative founders are ultimately the ones who will chart our economic future.”
The entrepreneurship support ecosystem around Northwest Arkansas can meet a wide range of needs, whether someone is considering becoming an entrepreneur for the first time or is looking to grow and improve an existing business. EforAll NWA, for example, provides a year-long coaching and seed-funding program in both English and Spanish, particularly geared toward underserved communities. The university’s OEI, meanwhile, runs pitch competitions, workshops, business incubation programs and other year-round initiatives.
“Adopting the resource hub into the region will create a more impactful and visible entrepreneurial ecosystem, where our entrepreneurs can more quickly and seamlessly connect with vital people, resources, and organizations,” said Zoe Buonaiuto, director of business incubation at OEI. “Being an early adopter of EcoMap will keep the region on track with leading entrepreneurial communities across the country.”
“Our mission at EcoMap is to make ecosystems accessible at scale, and the StartupNWA Hub exemplifies this vision,” added Sherrod Davis, co-founder and CEO of EcoMap. “By leveraging our AI-driven platform, Northwest Arkansas is creating a dynamic, always up-to-date resource that will connect entrepreneurs with vital support systems. This hub will not only streamline access to resources but also foster a more cohesive and vibrant entrepreneurial community, setting a new standard for ecosystem development.”
Past attempts to combine the region’s often siloed resources into one place have struggled to keep up with the real world, with printed resources often going obsolete as soon as they’re created. The new partnership behind the StartupNWA Hub creates an enduring gateway into the entrepreneurial world while also helping support organizations to spend their time and effort where it’s needed most.
To ensure users can maximize the benefits of the platform, the Northwest Arkansas Council and OEI will host a virtual training session at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Click here to register.
Learn more and get started at hub.startupnwa.com.
An abundance of supportive organizations and other resources are within reach for Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurs, and a new online platform is now ready to guide the way.
The StartupNWA Hub is built in partnership with EcoMap Technologies (EcoMap), a category-defining ecosystem intelligence AI software company, and links entrepreneurs to accelerators, business associations and investors in one comprehensive, searchable, up-to-date package.
A grant from the Walton Family Foundation will allow the Council to take advantage of EcoMap’s infrastructure, while the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OEI) will provide support to assist users and ensure the website’s information is continually updated.
“Northwest Arkansas needs new businesses and innovations to keep its place as one of the nation’s most dynamic and thriving regions, and we need to do all we can to get the needed tools into entrepreneurs’ hands,” said Nelson Peacock, Northwest Arkansas Council president and CEO. “These innovative founders are ultimately the ones who will chart our economic future.”
The entrepreneurship support ecosystem around Northwest Arkansas can meet a wide range of needs, whether someone is considering becoming an entrepreneur for the first time or is looking to grow and improve an existing business. EforAll NWA, for example, provides a year-long coaching and seed-funding program in both English and Spanish, particularly geared toward underserved communities. The university’s OEI, meanwhile, runs pitch competitions, workshops, business incubation programs and other year-round initiatives.
“Adopting the resource hub into the region will create a more impactful and visible entrepreneurial ecosystem, where our entrepreneurs can more quickly and seamlessly connect with vital people, resources, and organizations,” said Zoe Buonaiuto, director of business incubation at OEI. “Being an early adopter of EcoMap will keep the region on track with leading entrepreneurial communities across the country.”
“Our mission at EcoMap is to make ecosystems accessible at scale, and the StartupNWA Hub exemplifies this vision,” added Sherrod Davis, co-founder and CEO of EcoMap. “By leveraging our AI-driven platform, Northwest Arkansas is creating a dynamic, always up-to-date resource that will connect entrepreneurs with vital support systems. This hub will not only streamline access to resources but also foster a more cohesive and vibrant entrepreneurial community, setting a new standard for ecosystem development.”
Past attempts to combine the region’s often siloed resources into one place have struggled to keep up with the real world, with printed resources often going obsolete as soon as they’re created. The new partnership behind the StartupNWA Hub creates an enduring gateway into the entrepreneurial world while also helping support organizations to spend their time and effort where it’s needed most.
To ensure users can maximize the benefits of the platform, the Northwest Arkansas Council and OEI will host a virtual training session at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Click here to register.
Learn more and get started at hub.startupnwa.com.
