Lee Watson
Forge Institute to Collaborate With Air Force
The partnership will aim to help the Air Force leverage digital tools like robotic process automation, artificial intelligence and cloud capabilities. read more >
Forge Institute Launches Accelerator for Defense Tech Startups
Forge Institute of Little Rock has launched Phoenix Xcelerator, a 12-week program designed to support defense and aerospace startups and strengthen Arkansas' defense innovation sector. read more >
Forge Institute Adds 2 to Advisory Board
Both have worked with the CIA and have years of experience in cybersecurity. read more >
Forge Institute Adds 2 to Leadership Team
Daniel Ross is the new chief growth officer and Jim Schnoes is the new chief financial and compliance officer. read more >
Arkansas Universities Build Cybersecurity Hub with $5M Grant
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cyber Security, Energy Security & Emergency Response allocated the money to further work at the Emerging Threat Information Sharing & Analysis Center — a sort of cybersecurity clinic — at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Arkansas Looks to Utah as a Blueprint for Economic Development Success
Arkansas Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald looks to Utah as a model when it comes to attracting high-tech industries, ranging from internet startups and biotech firms to pharmaceuticals, defense contractors and fintech companies. read more >
by Lara Farrar -
Arkansas Leaders See Utah’s High-Tech Success as Model for Economic Transformation
Utah, with its emphasis on research, entrepreneurship and quality of life, has become one of the top states for high-tech industries. Arkansas is looking to borrow from the western state's playbook. read more >
by Lara Farrar -
UA Little Rock Expands Efforts to Strengthen Cybersecurity in Energy Sector
The project is supported by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. read more >
Everything is a Computer: The Importance of Computer Science for Arkansas (Lee Watson Commentary)
Computer science is not just a career pathway, it's part of every single aspect of our world. read more >
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Update: Senate Panel Advances Similar Version of Computer Science Bill
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday said it's still against the proposal. read more >
by Scott Carroll -
Arkansas Ahead of Curve in Developing Cybersecurity Talent
Educators and others in the state are collaborating to fill the talent gap accompanying the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals. read more >
Consortium Aims to Make Arkansas a Leader in Cybersecurity
The new group's goals include creating “a strategic regional industry cluster in emerging technologies" and aid the creation of more tech jobs. read more >
Tech Firm, Nonprofit Build Talent Pipeline
What do North Little Rock’s First Orion and the nonprofit Forge Institute in Little Rock have in common? They’re both building the tech talent pipeline in Arkansas, albeit differently. read more >
Rural Community Alliance Awarded $1M Workforce Training Grant
The grant will allow the Forge Institute to offer its seven-week information technology/cyber fundamentals and 14-week cyber training bootcamp courses for free to more than 50 people. read more >
Forge Institute, Acxiom Announce Strategic Partnership
Forge Institute of Little Rock and Acxiom of Conway recently announced a strategic partnership that aims to provide more cybersecurity training opportunities and have Arkansans hired to fill cybersecurity positions. read more >
Forge Institute Partners With 2 UA Campuses on Cybersecurity Research
Forge Institute of Little Rock, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock announced Tuesday a partnership to advance applied research in areas that support our national defense, including cybersecurity. read more >
Forge Partners with ADE to Provide Cybersecurity Training
Forge Institute of Little Rock announced late Tuesday its partnership with the Arkansas Department Education to provide virtual cybersecurity training to district and school technology staff across the state. read more >
Apprenticeship Program Aims to Fill Open Jobs in Cybersecurity
Two new Little Rock technology organizations have partnered to create a 16-week cybersecurity apprenticeship program. read more >
Venture Center Names Wayne Miller Executive Director
Wayne Miller, managing director of the Venture Center’s FinTech Accelerator, has been named executive director of the Little Rock-based nonprofit. 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 >
by Lance Turner -