Applications will close Oct. 20 for the spring 2025 Venture Intern Program, an internship that pairs undergraduate students with early-stage ventures, entrepreneurship support organizations, regional accelerator programs and investor networks across Northwest Arkansas for a semester.

Maya Lester, a senior majoring in apparel merchandising and product development, spent the fall 2024 semester interning with the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). Lester described VIP as a "transformative experience."

"It has provided hands-on opportunities that are directly connected to my career aspirations, such as collaborating with innovative companies and gaining real-world insights into fashion merchandising and product development," Lester said.

"The mentorship, guidance and network I've developed here have been invaluable in helping me build confidence and prepare for the future."

The U of A  Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation launched the program in spring 2020, which has now provided nearly 300 students exposure to the workings of early-stage ventures and the Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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

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

Applications for interested students and organizations will close at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 20.

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

"Entrepreneurship goes beyond just starting a business, but identifying a problem and thinking creatively on how to solve that problem," Riley said. "That's what makes VIP unique; it gives students that explorational learning that one might not get in other internship settings."

This program is open to juniors and seniors in good standing from any discipline at the U of A with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher. Participating students must be eligible to enroll in a minimum of one hour of cooperative education credit.

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.

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.