StartupNWA, an initiative of the Northwest Arkansas Council, gathered regional leaders, investors and founders this week to celebrate the official launch of Onward HQ, a dedicated home base for early-stage companies in Northwest Arkansas.

Located in downtown Bentonville, Onward HQ gives founders what they need to grow: investor access, tactical support and a community of peers building ambitious companies. Although the space has been active in recent months, this week’s celebration marked its formal debut and highlighted its central role in the region’s entrepreneurial infrastructure.

The event kicked off VC Immersions, the Council’s signature investor matchmaking series, which brings venture capital firms to the region for curated meetings with high-growth startups. In its second year, the program has already helped generate more than $10 million in early-stage deal flow.

Built for venture scale startups—those still in the early stages of growth and fundraising—Onward HQ offers direct access to investors, founder-focused programming and a growing network of local startups.

At the event, speakers underscored how Onward HQ supports a stronger, more connected startup ecosystem. Jacob Herrington of Ordinal and Rachel Hobert of Huml Health shared how access to investors and a founder-focused community helps them grow without leaving the region. Their stories reflected the central idea behind Onward HQ—that proximity to resources, not geography, should drive opportunity.

Investors echoed that sentiment. David Matthews of RevTech Ventures, a founding VC Ambassador, explained why venture firms are paying closer attention to what’s happening in Northwest Arkansas and how physical presence strengthens relationships with founders. Don Huffner, vice president at RZC Investments, outlined the firm’s regional fund of funds strategy, which backs diverse venture firms to attract more capital to the state. Jennifer Emerson, deputy director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, spoke to the state’s continued support for entrepreneurship and innovation as key to long-term economic growth.

“We didn’t build Onward HQ just to add another workspace—we built it because something real is happening here,” said Serafina Lalany, executive director of StartupNWA. “Founders are proving that great ideas don’t have to leave home to become great companies. This isn’t about hype; it’s about building in the right place at the right time.”

Onward HQ is already home to a growing group of early-stage companies and partners. That includes about 25 startup members and seven venture capital firms, among them three VC Ambassadors—national investors who help connect local startups to capital and mentorship. Earlier this spring, the Council named RevTech Ventures, Cortado Ventures and Mercury Fund as founding ambassadors, strengthening ties between Northwest Arkansas and national venture networks.

“The Council was created by leaders who believed this region could build world-class companies—and then did it,” said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. “Onward HQ carries that vision forward. It’s an investment in the next generation of entrepreneurs and in the long-term economic strength of Northwest Arkansas.”

Learn more at onwardhq.org.