A brief look at what’s new in Arkansas tech startups
(Courtesy ARise)
Startup Junkie Tartners for ARise, Tech Commercialization
In March 2024, Fayetteville-based ESO Startup Junkie won the state contract to oversee the Arkansas Statewide Technology Commercialization Center, a program intended to help tech startups become viable. From 2008 through 2024, the program provided technical assistance to over 200 companies that collectively generated nearly $200 billion in revenue, according to media reports. In June 2024, Startup Junkie and its sister agency, Conway-based Conductor, launched ARise: Arkansas Innovators, Startups and Entrepreneurs. According to Startup Junkie, ARise provides startup consulting, capital access navigation, an advanced subject matter expert network, industry connections and a comprehensive digital resource library. The services are free to tech and tech-enabled ventures based in Arkansas with the ability to scale. “If you take control of your own destiny by focusing on building startups and creating an entrepreneurial culture, good things can happen,” says Startup Junkie co-founder Jeff Amerine.
Venture Center’s Impact Growing with Time
The Venture Center, a Little Rock-based entrepreneur support organization, reported in April a $62.3 million five-year economic impact in Arkansas, per a study by Little Rock’s Boyette Strategic Advisors. The nonprofit’s impact grew to $37.3 million in 2022-2023, up from $24.9 million from 2019-2021, a 50% increase. The Venture Center’s FIS Fintech Accelerator, an internationally recognized program, has helped more than 80 entrepreneurs strengthen their finance industry startups and raised more than $2 billion in capital. The Arkansas Banking Solutions Accelerator has assisted more than 120 entrepreneurs and raised $3 billion in capital. “We are truly moving forward in line with our mission and vision of helping raise entrepreneurial success in Arkansas,” says Arthur Orduña, executive director.
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