Applications are now open for the fall 2024 Venture Intern Program, which pairs undergraduate students with early-stage ventures, entrepreneurship support organizations, regional accelerator programs and investor networks across Northwest Arkansas for a semester.

Led by the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, VIP provided an "authentic experience to learning about startup culture," according to Isabelle Artnak, a junior honors student in the Sam M. Walton College of Business who participated in the spring 2024 cohort.

"As a business student who's accustomed to the corporate world of procedure, it was quite the change to see the quick decision-making and integration of many ideas," Artnak said.

Artnak worked with DapUp, an online platform founded by a former U of A student-athlete that allows businesses to pair up with athletes from their favorite teams, hire them directly and design custom campaigns.

As the primary content generator for the startup, Artnak had to face the rejection of some ot her ideas, and said learning to view her work objectively was a "growth opportunity."

"I really enjoyed VIP as it has been a supportive and creative environment to learn and generate new ideas," Artnak said.

Applications for fall 2024 close at 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 3. Students should be prepared to wear many hats and maintain a high degree of professionalism and autonomy. In exchange, they can expect direct access to founders and an opportunity to play an essential role in a highly dynamic environment.

Since launching in 2020, VIP has provided nearly 300 students exposure to the workings of early-stage ventures and the Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurial ecosystem.

VIP includes a paid, 12-week assignment with a host organization, as well as supplemental training opportunities, cohort meetings and coaching/support from experienced mentors.

This interdisciplinary group of students, representing diverse majors from six colleges, has supported over 180 startups and support organizations since the inception of the program.  

VIP has been well received by students in part because "it gives an authentic hands-on experience of what it is like to build an organization from the ground up," according to Jason Riley, OEI's program manager for Venture Internships.

"Entrepreneurship goes beyond just starting a business or organization; everything starts with a problem. Once a problem has been identified, entrepreneurs think creatively about how to solve that problem, based on their own skillset and community or market needs," Riley said. 

"That's what makes VIP special; it gives students an experiential learning opportunity unique to the startup environment." 

About the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio, Startup Village and Greenhouse at the Bentonville Collaborative, OEI provides free workshops and programs — including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions and startup coaching. A unit of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and Division of Economic Development, OEI also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.