Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center

10/19/2026

A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE for the winners of the AI Pitch Competition for Arkansas entrepreneurs! 👏 🎉

🥇1st Place (Up to $50,000 in provider services) - Stratos Digital, Kelvin Bell

🥈2nd Place (up to $35,000 in provider services) - The Rockin' Chair, Ashley Franke

🥉3rd Place (up to $25,000 in provider services) - Reclaimed Ventures LLC, James Hensley

Pictured here with nClouds' James Sandler, they will receive services from event sponsors Amazon Web Services and nClouds to bring their AI-powered solutions to life.

Hosted by ASBTDC and UA Little Rock’s School of Business, Tech Launch, and Workforce Development Center, the contest invited established and aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative ideas for transforming business operations and accelerating growth with AI.

THANK YOU to all the companies that pitched Thursday night!

10/15/2026

On a tour of the new CORE Center at UA Little Rock, members of our team came away excited and impressed!

CORE stands for Cyberspace Operations, Research, and Education. From the cybersecurity clinic to a secure digital forensics lab, the facility is a hub of cutting-edge research, learning, and technology.

Arkansas small businesses can get much-needed cybersecurity risk assessments and services through the center.

Curious about CORE? Join us online for Cyber Smart on Oct. 29 to learn more about the CORE Center, plus practical ways to protect your business from cyber threats.

Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2609467846152054

Thanks to CORE Operations Manager Raney Anderson for being a great tour guide!

UA Little Rock Donaghey College of STEM

10/13/2026

Branding and design can be challenging. Want some help?

Get free branding and design support through the Design & Entrepreneurship Collaborative, a partnership between the University of Arkansas School of Art’s Design program and the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Connect one-on-one with a designer for personalized guidance on your brand, visual identity, and marketing materials.

✨ Build your brand
💡 Get expert guidance
💸 Free for Arkansas entrepreneurs

Whether you’re starting from scratch or ready for a refresh, make your brand work harder for your business.

Sign up: https://entrepreneurship.uark.edu/programs/gorp_design_entrepreneurship_collaborative.php

Thanks to our GORP Around the State partners for offering this amazing service to Arkansas small businesses and entrepreneurs!

Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

10/07/2026

Make a note! Nominations due Dec. 7!

NOW OPEN: The 2027 award nomination season has arrived!

From generational businesses to innovative startups, the awards will honor America's best entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, investing locally, and powering our nation's economy.

Submit nominations by December 7: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/observances/national-small-business-week/

10/01/2026

Two Cabot couples, Jacob and Robyn Hiatt and Mike and Cindy Lancaster, are the new owners of Strikers Bowling Alley in Russellville. A shared love of bowling inspired their friendship, then ultimately led to purchasing a business together.

Their ASBTDC consultant helped them with the acquisition process and the financing to close the deal.

Mike and Jacob are pictured outside Strikers, a fixture in the community since 1978.

Check out their story here:
https://asbtdc.org/shared-love-of-bowling-inspires-friendship-then-business-purchase/

09/29/2026

⭐ Congrats to Ryan Cole, our 2026 State Star! ⭐

Each year, America's SBDC honors State Stars for exemplary performance and significant contributions to their state and regional SBDC networks.

Ryan is a business consultant at the ASBTDC Lead Center at UA Little Rock. Now in his seventh year with ASBTDC, he excels at helping his clients with capital funding, business planning and startup, and business acquisition.

“Ryan builds strong client relationships that help small businesses generate meaningful economic impact. His leadership in AI training, commitment to continuous learning, and ability to build strong networks make him an outstanding choice as the 2026 State Star for Arkansas,” said State Director Laura Fine.

State Stars are being honored this week in Atlanta during the 47th annual national conference and training event for Small Business Development Centers.

09/24/2026

📣 SHOUTOUT to ACC CAPITAL 📣
As a Champion-level co-sponsor, ACC Capital plays a vital role in helping the ASBTDC Lead Center offer services, events, and resources that fulfill our mission. Thank you for your partnership and support!

09/23/2026

📣 SHOUTOUT to REGIONS 📣
As a Champion-level co-sponsor, Regions Bank plays a vital role in helping the ASBTDC Lead Center offer services, events, and resources that fulfill our mission.

Thank you for your partnership and support!

09/23/2026

📣 SHOUTOUT to AFCU 📣
As a Champion-level co-sponsor, Arkansas Federal Credit Union plays a vital role in helping the ASBTDC Lead Center offer services, events, and resources that fulfill our mission. Thank you for your partnership and support!

09/22/2026

Our mission co-sponsors play a vital role in helping us assist Arkansas entrepreneurs and businesses. Thank you for investing in the programs, events, resources, and services offered by the ASBTDC Lead Center in 2026.

ACC Capital
Arkansas Federal Credit Union
Regions Bank