ARise Arkansas

10/06/2026

Last week, our ARise team had the opportunity to meet with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for our annual Year 2 review.

We spent time reflecting on the impact ARise has made across the state, sharing key metrics, and talking through the momentum we are seeing from Arkansas tech and tech-enabled founders. We also brought along boxes filled with ARise client goodies to give the AEDC team a small look at the incredible products, ideas, and companies being built right here in Arkansas.

Year 2 was a reminder of something we believe deeply: you do not have to be in Silicon Valley to build something big, meaningful, and innovative.

ARise is proud to continue supporting founders across the state, and we are grateful for AEDC’s partnership and investment in this important work. The future of tech in Arkansas is bright, and we are excited to keep building it together.

10/02/2026

This week, our ARise team had the opportunity to meet with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for our annual Year 2 review.

We spent time reflecting on the impact ARise has made across the state, sharing key metrics, and talking through the momentum we are seeing from Arkansas tech and tech-enabled founders. We also brought along boxes filled with ARise client goodies to give the AEDC team a small look at the incredible products, ideas, and companies being built right here in Arkansas.

Year 2 was a reminder of something we believe deeply: you do not have to be in Silicon Valley to build something big, meaningful, and innovative.

ARise is proud to continue supporting founders across the state, and we are grateful for AEDC’s partnership and investment in this important work. The future of tech in Arkansas is bright, and we are excited to keep building it together.

10/01/2026

Got an idea you've been sitting on? Building something and not sure what comes next? 👀 https://luma.com/a0lf4n0p

On Thursday, October 15, ARise is bringing our Tech Commercialization Sprint to Russellville. Think of it as a one-day crash course in entrepreneurship.

Experts will walk you through the stuff that trips most people up early on, like protecting your idea, finding funding, and getting from concept to prototype.

Most importantly, you'll leave with practical next steps instead of a pile of slides.

And the support doesn't end when the day does. Everyone who comes gets free 1:1 consulting with ARise afterward.

Whether you're tinkering with an idea, already building, or just curious what starting a business actually takes, this day is for you. Arkansas Tech University students and faculty are welcome too!

📅 Thursday, Oct 15
⏰ 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM with lunch provided
📍 Doc Bryan Student Services Building, Arkansas Tech University, Russellville

Save your seat and come build with us! ➡️ https://luma.com/a0lf4n0p

ARise is hosting a Tech Commercialization Sprint in Russellville on October 15 to support rural tech innovators and early-stage founders. This one-day…

09/30/2026

There’s nothing like seeing the startup community show up and show out.

Last week, our ARise team joined the crowd at Startup Crawl to support Startup Ju**ie and celebrate the founders, small businesses, and community builders helping move Arkansas forward.

It was a fun night full of connection, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy in downtown Fayetteville. And it's always a plus to see our ARise founders out in the wild!

Shoutout to Startup Ju**ie for hosting such a great event!

09/25/2026

THIS is the kind of client update we love to see. 🎉

Hillfolk craft kits are officially on Walmart shelves!

Founder Bea Apple has taken Hillfolk from a creative studio and retail experience in Bentonville to a brand putting its products in front of customers on a much bigger stage. And there’s just something special about seeing an Arkansas founder’s products sitting right there in the Walmart craft aisle.

Bea, we’re so proud to have you in the ARise community and to watch Hillfolk continue to grow, reach new customers, and make creativity more accessible along the way.

Huge congratulations to Bea and the entire Hillfolk team! 🧶👏

09/24/2026

Entrepreneurship is happening in every corner of Arkansas, and we love getting to be part of it. 🚀

ARise is proud to sponsor the pitch competition at the Women in Tech of NWA Annual Gala, supporting the next generation of innovators as they take their ideas from the classroom to the stage.

This past week, student entrepreneurs competed in a pre-pitch event to determine who will advance to the finals at the Gala. We loved getting a front-row seat to the ideas, ambition, and talent coming from these students.

From supporting early ideas to helping established tech companies scale, ARise is committed to showing up wherever innovation is happening across our state. We can't wait to see these finalists take the stage!

09/23/2026

No AI-generated graphics here. Handcrafted with Canva, caffeine, and questionable time management.

09/22/2026

This is what taking startup support statewide looks like!

We loved spending the day in Jonesboro connecting with innovators and diving into intellectual property, funding pathways, prototype development, and commercialization. These sprints are about meeting entrepreneurs where they are and making sure great ideas across Arkansas have access to the expertise and connections that can help turn them into real products and businesses.

And we’re taking it to the other side of the state next!

Russellville, we’ll see you October 15. If you’re an entrepreneur, innovator, researcher, or ATU student or faculty member with an idea you want to take further, our next Tech Commercialization Sprint is for you. https://luma.com/a0lf4n0p

One state. A lot of big ideas. And we’re just getting started. 🚀

09/16/2026

A clearer financial picture starts with knowing what to look for.

Join us for A Business Owner’s Guide to QuickBooks, a workshop designed to help business owners better understand their numbers and make more informed decisions.

You’ll learn how to use QuickBooks to look at profitability by job or project, keep accounts receivable clean, and understand the balance sheet basics that matter month to month.

This workshop will be held September 24 from 12–1 PM at the Arnold Innovation Center, with a virtual option available.
RSVP today! https://luma.com/o7erp77f

09/11/2026

A great conversation does not always lead to a great hire.

Join us for Better Interviews, Better Hires, a workshop with Drew Spurgers designed to help business owners and team leaders bring more structure and clarity into the hiring process. This will be offered online and in person!

You’ll learn how to ask stronger questions, move beyond “good fit” instincts, and make more consistent hiring decisions with tools you can use in your next interview.

This workshop will be held September 15 from 12–1 PM at the Arnold Innovation Center, with a virtual option available.
RSVP today! https://luma.com/06nvm2n7