We’ve seen how beneficial it is to have locally-based companies creating jobs and reinvesting in our area in different ways, and we’d like to see that continue for generations. With this goal, StartupNWA makes important connections among investors, entrepreneurs and the region’s established companies. Between that access and our great lifestyle amenities, NWA is the ideal place for entrepreneurs focused on building businesses in supply chain, food and consumer retail.
Our Work
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
StartupNWA is focused on supporting innovation and building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas.
Some may not realize that Northwest Arkansas has a history of innovation and entrepreneurship. After all, one of the nation’s greatest startups began in the region, when Sam Walton founded Walmart in Bentonville in 1962. Other notable success stories from the region include Sam’s Club, J.B. Hunt, Tyson Foods, Simmons Foods, Harps, America’s Car-Mart, PAM Transport—plus more than 1,400 globally known suppliers have a presence in the region. With representatives who come from companies such as these, StartupNWA ensures that the next generation of new businesses flourish.
We’ve supported global players such as Endeavor, Plug and Play Supply Chain and Center for Advancing Innovation that have invested in the region to support the growth of the startup economy, alongside incredible homegrown entrepreneurial support organizations like chambers of commerce, city governments, Startup Junkie, i2i Labs, Venture Noire, Innovate Arkansas, StartupNWA, as well as University of Arkansas’ Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Technology Ventures and Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center.
Some key initiatives include:
Expanding funding and support for startups and small businesses
Promoting the University of Arkansas as the region’s entrepreneurial hub
Creating strategies to respond to current and future workforce need
Focusing on entrepreneurial and support activities to grow and promote an innovation-minded culture
