Business

A regional resource to help students, educators, and employers find a perfect career match through their skills and education in Northwest Arkansas. Explore career options, support, training programs, and assessment tools designed to help find a career path.

Established in 1990 by Sam Walton, Don Tyson, J.B. Hunt and other business leaders, the Northwest Arkansas Council is a private, nonprofit organization working to advance 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.

Home to three Fortune 500 companies and an R1 university, Northwest Arkansas is well-positioned to be a significant player in the innovation economy, emerging as a hotspot for startups. NWA is the 2nd best Metro Area for Minority Entrepreneurs, creating a hub of economic and creative growth in the middle of the American Heartland.

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 that help get startups up and running, Startup Junkie offers a wide range of opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Endeavor NWA was launched in March 2019 as the sixth U.S. affiliate of Endeavor. Established in 1997, Endeavor selects, mentors, and supports high-growth entrepreneurs in 37 countries and 8 U.S. markets—driving job creation, wealth creation, and inspiration into underserved, growth markets globally.

Arkansas Small Business and Tech Development Centers provide resources for those starting a business, growing a business, or developing a startup. ASBTDC centers assist 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.

Through Kiva Northwest Arkansas, members of the community can sign up to lend money to local entrepreneurs. Loans granted through Kiva are made up of five to 20 initial local contributions of as little as $25 before launching to the national community, where a borrower can access up to $10,000. These loans are offered to those who have difficulty securing traditional loans and are offered at zero percent interest with no fees. The process requires no credit score, collateral pledges or U.S. citizenship documentation.