BUSINESS

From humble beginnings as the birthplace of a Fortune No. 1 company, Northwest Arkansas has since become an area rife with thought leaders and innovators. Businesses of all sizes and sectors come together to share ideas, support each other, and drive progress forward.

Whether you’re a startup looking to make your mark, or an established enterprise seeking new opportunities for growth, you’ll find a wealth of resources to support your success in this vibrant and thriving region.

7

BEST PERFORMING CITY (MILKEN)

10

IN JOB GROWTH (FORBES)

13

BEST LABOR MARKET (WSJ)

IN THE HEADLINES

CommunityEntrepreneurshipHeadlines
January 1, 2024

Meet a Local: Sarah Goforth, Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the U of A

If you're looking for Sarah Goforth, Walton College of Business' executive director of the Office…
BentonvilleBusinessFood & DrinkHeadlines
November 18, 2023

Japanese Fine Dining Arrives in NW Arkansas

The cofounding roster includes a wide range of talent—including former Apple and Evernote Japan executive…
AccoladesEntrepreneurshipHeadlines
November 16, 2023

U of A Graduate Entrepreneurship Program Ranked No. 1 in SEC, Top 50 Internationally

The U of A has the top-ranked graduate entrepreneurship program in the Southeastern Conference, according…
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CAREERS

Land your dream job in NWA.

Join world-class talent from all over the world. Find your next career, or continue doing what you do best.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Invest NWA

INVEST NWA

Invest NWA is a regional economic development initiative that aims to attract and retain businesses, talent, and investment to the Northwest Arkansas region. The Invest NWA website is a resource for businesses and individuals interested in learning more about the region’s economic opportunities and advantages.

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NWA COUNCIL

NWA COUNCIL

Established in 1990 by Sam Walton, Don Tyson, J.B. Hunt, and other prominent business leaders, the Northwest Arkansas Council is a private, nonprofit organization working to enhance job opportunities, talent recruitment, physical infrastructure, and quality of life in the region. Most of the Council’s more than 100 members are companies, including Walmart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc, Simmons Foods, and George’s, Inc.

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BUSINESS TRAVEL

Invest NWA

FAREFLIGHT NWA

The Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) plays a crucial role in the region’s economic growth and is the primary gateway for residents to connect with destinations worldwide. The airport is especially vital for companies such as Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services, which rely heavily on XNA for their operations both domestically and internationally.

The FareFlight NWA program aims to support both business and leisure travelers in choosing XNA over other airports by providing information on the best and most cost-effective flight options available.

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NON STOP DESTINATIONS

CHECK OUT ALL THE NONSTOP FLIGHTS FROM XNA.

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ENTREPRENEURS

Startup NWA

STARTUP NWA

Home to three Fortune 500 companies and a research-intensive university, Northwest Arkansas is fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship. With a thriving startup scene, the region has earned recognition as the second-best metro area for minority entrepreneurs, creating a diverse and dynamic hub for economic and creative growth in the heartland of America.

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STARTUP JUNKIE

STARTUP JUNKIE

Located in Fayetteville, Startup Junkie exists to empower innovators and entrepreneurs by educating, inspiring, and supporting entrepreneurs and innovators with accessible, no-cost consulting, workshops, programs, and more. With robust, professional, and curated programs, Startup Junkie aims to equip startups with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed.

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Endeavor NWA

ENDEAVOR HEARTLAND

Established in 2019, Endeavor launched in Bentonville, Arkansas, to support entrepreneurs with the potential for economic and social impact in America’s Heartland. Endeavor selects, mentors, and supports high-growth entrepreneurs in order to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging and underserved markets around the world.

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ASBTDC

ARKANSAS SMALL BIZ AND TECH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (ASBTDC)

The Arkansas Small Business and Tech Development Center provides resources for those starting a business, growing a business, or developing a startup. ASBTDC assists all types of for-profit businesses, from home-based to high-tech, offering one-on-one consultations and cutting-edge market research at no charge.

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Kiva NWA

KIVA NWA

Kiva Northwest Arkansas is a community-driven lending platform that allows individuals to invest as little as $25 to support local entrepreneurs who face challenges securing traditional loans. Through a process that requires no credit score, collateral, or citizenship documentation, entrepreneurs can access zero-interest loans of up to $10,000. The platform operates on a crowdfunding model, with initial funding provided by five to twenty local contributors before being opened up to the national community, helping to promote economic growth in the region.

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Exchange

EforAll NWA

Entrepreneurship for All Northwest Arkansas is accelerating economic and social impact in NWA through inclusive entrepreneurship. With the region’s Hispanic population now at 17%, the region’s community and business leaders want to ensure that all residents have the same opportunity to start and grow a business, leading to its championing of EforAll and its Spanish program, EparaTodos.

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COWORKING SPACES

Ledger Bentonville

Ledger (Bentonville)

At 230,000 square feet, Ledger is a unique and modern community space offering areas to work, play, and gather in the heart of Downtown. Highlights include shared workspaces, custom and private offices, reservable meeting or event spaces, bike ramps, art, and a coffee shop.

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Centerspace

Centerspace (Fayetteville)

An entrepreneurship and innovation space open to the public for use as shared office space. With strong wi-fi, open desks, a reservable conference room, ping-pong, and a 3d printer.

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Likewise

Likewise (Fayetteville)

A coworking and community space committed to being a place where people can connect, learn, and grow, Likewise offers flexible workspaces, creative studios, meeting rooms, and the opportunity to host events, all currently available by appointment only.

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CoFounder NWA

CoFounder (Rogers)

A coworking community providing innovative, affordable office solutions for remote workers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, freelancers, corporate professionals, and everyone in-between.

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Cast Co-work Space

CAST Cowork Space (Bentonville)

CAST offers savvy, serene workspaces with options for start-ups, creatives, entrepreneurs, and established businesses. Designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and productivity, CAST caters to the diverse needs of the community in NWA.

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Regus

Regus (Bentonville)

Regus is part of a collective of global and regional workspace brands. With two vibrant coworking spaces in Bentonville, they offer breakout areas and networking events to foster collaboration and growth. Drop in and hot-desk in an open-plan workspace, or reserve your own dedicated desk in a shared office.

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NWA Work Places

NWA Workspaces (Bentonville/Bella Vista)

Whether you’re escaping the kitchen table, need room for a group work session, or want to host clients in a safe, professional environment, NWA Workspaces has purpose-built rooms designed to meet the needs of today’s work-from-anywhere professionals.

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lolloft

loloft (Rogers)

Loloft’s “Industrial Coworking” model offers a distinctive approach to industrial property by providing flexible workspace to companies on a monthly basis. This eliminates the hassle of long-term leases, dealing with landlords, and expensive upfront investments. Loloft offers memberships and move-in ready spaces that cater to individuals or companies of any size. Warehouse units range from 150 SF to 1,400 SF.

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Exchange

OEI at UofA
(Fayetteville / Bentonville)

The Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation (OEI) at the University of Arkansas provides business incubation, experiential learning opportunities, and community for students, faculty, and people in Arkansas who want to be innovators inside existing organizations, solve meaningful problems, or build new ventures. OEI operates Startup Village North (Bentonville) and Startup Village South (Fayetteville), the two sites provide desks, offices, conference rooms, and free WiFi to members.

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CONFERENCES + GATHERINGS

CHECK OUT WHAT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS HAS TO OFFER.

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