UAMS' BioVentures Goes Nonprofit
by Sarah Campbell-Miller – 7 months ago
BioVentures converted to a nonprofit last year to become more competitive with private companies and other universities commercializing new technology.
Innovation
Community Bankers Group, Venture Center Launch New Accelerator
7 months ago
The Independent Community Bankers of America is partnering with The Venture Center in Little Rock to launch the ICBA ThinkTech Accelerator, a community bank-focused fintech accelerator program.
Walton Foundation Gives $23.7M to UA
6 months ago
The Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation has given $23.7 million to the University of Arkansas' research and economic development infrastructure.
FIS, Venture Center Launch 4th Annual Fintech Accelerator
Global financial services company FIS of Jacksonville, Florida, and the Venture Center in Little Rock named the 10 startups selected to participate in the 2019 VC FinTech Accelerator program. read more >
Bill Groves Named Chairman of NWA Tech Council
Bill Groves, chief data and analytics officer at Walmart Inc. of Bentonville, has been named chairman of the Northwest Arkansas Technology Council. read more >
Delta I-Fund Startups Featured at Demo Day
Rejuvenix of Little Rock, a graduate of the Delta Innovation Fund accelerator, won $10,000 for technical assistance last week at the program's 2019 Demo Day at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. read more >
Venture Center, ICBA Mark End of First ThinkTECH Accelerator
An audience of prospective investors and bankers gather in North Little Rock to mark the end of the inaugural ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator, sponsored by the Independent Community Bankers of America and hosted by the nonprofit Venture Center of Little Rock. read more >
2 Life Sciences Firms in Little Rock to Merge
Navaux Inc., an early stage life sciences company in Little Rock, has merged with Stage I Diagnostics Inc. of Little Rock. read more >
New York Organization to Open NWA Office With $2M Walton Grant
Endeavor of New York City has received a $2 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation that will help it launch a new office in northwest Arkansas. read more >
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Little Rock
With the presence of the Little Rock Tech Park, The Venture Center, FIS FinTech Accelerator program and the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, among other assets, the Little Rock Region is becoming known and respected in the startups/innovation sector. read more >
Innovation Council Summit: Working Together A Must
Arkansas can become a leader in the knowledge-based economy if its state government, industries and educators work together to develop a workforce attractive to innovators. read more >
Hot Springs So Real You Feel Virtual Steam
A two-part production, “Hot Springs: The Experience of a Lifetime" is the centerpiece of Arkansas' first VR tourism campaign. read more >
BioVentures Boot Camp Wins National Recognition
The Health Sciences Entrepreneurship Boot Camp run by BioVentures recently won a national award, the second-place Innovations Research & Research Education Award from the Association of American Medical Colleges. read more >
Gas-to-Liquid Plant Near Pine Bluff Takes Major Financing Step
With a $30 million investment commitment from the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, plans to build a $3.5 billion plant to turn natural gas into refined liquid fuel near Pine Bluff reached a significant landmark this week. read more >
Green Markets Draw Enviro Tech, Solfuels to Delta
Two relative newcomers to the Arkansas roster of chemical companies continue to grow their Phillips County operations since setting up shop. read more >
JDRF Partnership Will Help Fayetteville Company Develop Insulin Pump
SFC Fluidics of Fayetteville is closer to bringing its first product, a wearable insulin pump, to market, thanks to its partnership with JDRF. read more >
UA Alumni Donate $500K For New Health Innovation Fund
University of Arkansas alumni Kelly and Steve Barnes of Dallas have made a $500,000 commitment to the university's Sam M. Walton College of Business to create the Kelly & Steve Barnes Health & Wellbeing Innovation Fund. read more >
FIS, State Will Sponsor FinTech Accelerator for Another Year
Global financial services company FIS of Jacksonville, Florida, and Gov. Asa Hutchinson say they will sponsor the VC FinTech Accelerator for another year. read more >
Venture Center CEO Lee Watson Moves to 'Chief Innovator' Role
The Venture Center of Little Rock says CEO Lee Watson will move into a newly created position, "chief innovator," and that a former Acxiom Corp. leader, Bill Yoder, will be interim CEO. read more >
Raising Arkansas Money For Arkansas Companies
A new venture capital firm in Conway seeks to raise $20 million to focus on startups in Arkansas. read more >
Sizing Up the Startup Ecosystem Movement in Arkansas
Over a decade, Arkansas has fallen in line with the national trend of embracing and publicly funding a relatively new form of economic development: structured help for entrepreneurs. read more >
Lee Watson on Supporting Startups Taking First Steps at Venture Center
Lee Watson with the Venture Center explains what it does, and how entrepreneurs are turning their dreams into businesses. read more >
LumoXchange Launches Currency Exchange Marketplace
LumoXchange, a financial technology payments company headquartered in Little Rock, announces the launch of its currency exchange marketplace, which lets users choose their exchange rates and send money. read more >
Bentonville Chamber Names VP of Economic Development, Enterprenuership
The Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce announced on Tuesday the addition of Jordan Carlisle as vice president of economic development and entrepreneurship. read more >
Health InnovatAR Accelerator Participants Announced
Winrock International, Arkansas Heart Hospital, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and BioVentures announced six startups that have been selected to participate in the first Health InnovatAR health care accelerator. read more >
The Hub Featured in PBS' 'NewsHour'
The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub and its new executive director, Chris Jones, Ph.D., was profiled Wednesday by PBS' "NewsHour" show. read more >
FIS, Venture Center Name Fintech Accelerator Participants
Global financial services company FIS of Jacksonville, Florida, and the Venture Center in Little Rock have named the 10 startup companies selected to participate in their 2018 VC FinTech Accelerator program. read more >
Study: Venture Center Created 192 Jobs in 2017
The Venture Center in Little Rock announced Monday that it created 192 jobs last year, according to a Clinton School student's analysis. read more >
Co-working Space Opens in Maumelle
Jolt Office Hub, which has co-working space for entrepreneurs and independent business owners, is now open in Maumelle at the Maumelle Towne Centre. read more >
Medical Device Teams from UA, UA Little Rock Sweep Governor's Cup
Undergraduate and graduate student teams from the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock walked away from the 18th annual Governor's Cup competition with $154,000. read more >
SPONSORED: Wood Sales Leadership Center Teaches Art, Science Of Selling
Rare program poised to turn out its first class of future salespeople at Arkansas State University. read more >
Tyson Announces Partnership With Silicon Valley, Chicago Incubators
Tyson Foods of Springdale announced Thursday its agreement to work with two business incubators, Plug and Play of Silicon Valley and 1871 of Chicago, that will directly connect it to the startup communities in those places. read more >
Executive Director of The Hub Quits
Joel Gordon's last day at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub was Feb. 2. read more >
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