StartupNWA Hub to Connect NWA Entrepreneurs With Resources and Support

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The entrepreneurship support ecosystem around NWA can meet a wide range of needs, whether someone is considering becoming an entrepreneur for the first time or is looking to grow and improve an existing business.

An abundance of supportive organizations and other resources are within reach for Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurs, and a new online platform is now ready to guide the way. 

The StartupNWA Hub is built in partnership with EcoMap Technologies, a category-defining ecosystem intelligence AI software company, and links entrepreneurs to accelerators, business associations and investors in one comprehensive, searchable, up-to-date package. 

The hub represents an evolution of the longstanding efforts of the Northwest Arkansas Council to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help the next generation of businesses flourish in a region known for its innovation. 

A grant from the Walton Family Foundation will allow the council to take advantage of EcoMap's infrastructure, while the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will provide support to assist users and ensure the website's information is continually updated. 

"Northwest Arkansas needs new businesses and innovations to keep its place as one of the nation's most dynamic and thriving regions, and we need to do all we can to get the needed tools into entrepreneurs' hands," said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. "These innovative founders are ultimately the ones who will chart our economic future." 

The entrepreneurship support ecosystem around Northwest Arkansas can meet a wide range of needs, whether someone is considering becoming an entrepreneur for the first time or is looking to grow and improve an existing business. EforAll NWA, for example, provides a year-long coaching and seed-funding program in both English and Spanish, particularly geared toward underserved communities. The university's OEI, meanwhile, runs pitch competitions, workshops, business incubation programs and other year-round initiatives. 

"Adopting the resource hub into the region will create a more impactful and visible entrepreneurial ecosystem, where our entrepreneurs can more quickly and seamlessly connect with vital people, resources and organizations," said Zoe Buonaiuto, director of business incubation at OEI. "Being an early adopter of EcoMap will keep the region on track with leading entrepreneurial communities across the country."

"Our mission at EcoMap is to make ecosystems accessible at scale, and the StartupNWA Hub exemplifies this vision," added Sherrod Davis, co-founder and CEO of EcoMap. "By leveraging our AI-driven platform, Northwest Arkansas is creating a dynamic, always up-to-date resource that will connect entrepreneurs with vital support systems. This hub will not only streamline access to resources but also foster a more cohesive and vibrant entrepreneurial community, setting a new standard for ecosystem development."

Past attempts to combine the region's often siloed resources into one place have struggled to keep up with the real world, with printed resources often going obsolete as soon as they're created. The new partnership behind the StartupNWA Hub creates an enduring gateway into the entrepreneurial world while also helping support organizations to spend their time and effort where it's needed most. 

To ensure users can maximize the benefits of the platform, the Northwest Arkansas Council and OEI will host a virtual training session at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18. Click here to register. 

Learn more and get started at hub.startupnwa.com.

About the Northwest Arkansas Council: Founded in 1990 by Sam Walton, J.B. Hunt, Don Tyson and several other business leaders, the Northwest Arkansas Council serves as a regional convener for economic and community initiatives. The council excels at identifying challenges and championing solutions to enhance the prosperity of the Northwest Arkansas region. Key initiatives include work to advance quality of life, attract talent, improve the region's workforce, create job opportunities, upgrade infrastructure and keep up with the region's impressive growth. For more information, visit www.nwacouncil.org. 

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.