Business Resources for Women
Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise
www.arkansasedc.com/community-resources/Minority-and-Women-Owned-Business-Enterprise-Resources
1 Commerce Way, Ste. 601, Little Rock, AR 72202
Arkansas Women's Business Center
Winrock International » Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Arkansas
The Arkansas Women’s Business Center provides training and access to capital for women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
An Entrepreneurship Guide for Women in Technology Fields
www.fairviewmicrowave.com/t-tips-and-resources-for-women-in-tech.aspx
This guide features a range of resources, including steps for starting a tech company, information on grants, and more.
VCWoman Achieve
https://www.venturecenter.co/entrepreneurs/mentorships/vcwomanachieve/
VCWoman Achieve is a mentorship program for women entrepreneurs, matching them with seasoned women executives and entrepreneurs for 12 months.
Women's Foundation of Arkansas
https://womensfoundationarkansas.org
400 W Capitol Ave Suite 1242, Little Rock, AR 72201
Community Development Resources
Arkansas Association of Counties
1415 W. 3rd St., Little Rock, AR 72201
The Arkansas Association of Counties provides general research, directs public education programs, and conducts seminars for county governments in Arkansas.
The AAC website has a range of resources, including a list of all counties in Arkansas with population information and relevant facts, as well as contact information for local officials.
Click here to access the county list: Counties | Association of Arkansas Counties (arcounties.org)
Arkansas Economic Development Institute
2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72204
The Arkansas Economic Development Institute provides research and strategies to state, community, and industry leaders to promote economic growth and enhance the quality of life in Arkansas. The AEDI provides a range of services, including community development and planning, economic research and data analysis, and geographic information services.
Arkansas Municipal League
301 W. 2nd St., North Little Rock, AR 72114
The Arkansas Municipal League is the official representative of Arkansas cities and towns before the state and federal governments.
The Arkansas Municipal League has a Local Government Portal that provides information on every county and municipality in Arkansas, including contact information, basic facts, elected officials, and online services.
Click here to access the portal: Local Government Portal (arkansas.gov)
Center for Community and Economic Development
The Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED) at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) provides training and technical assistance to communities around Arkansas to improve quality of life.
CCED organizes the Community Development Institute (CDI) which trains over 150 community leaders across the mid-south region in community and economic development.
A chamber of commerce is your local economic development partner, aimed at furthering the interests of businesses in its area. Reach out to your local chamber to see what opportunities and services they offer.
Heartland Forward
110 NW 2nd St., Bentonville, AR 72712
Heartland Forward is a nonpartisan, nonprofit “think and do tank” focused on improving economic performance in the center of the United States.
Main Street Arkansas
https://www.arkansasheritage.com/arkansas-preservation/programs/main-street-arkansas
Main Street Arkansas is a historic preservation program under the Division of Arkansas Heritage that works to strengthen historic downtowns and Main Street districts in Arkansas.
Argenta Downtown Council
https://www.argentaartsdistrict.org
301 Main St #203, North Little Rock, AR 72114 Batesville
Main Street Batesville
https://www.mainstreetbatesville.org
296 E Main St, Batesville, AR 72501
Conway Downtown Partnership
https://conwayarkansas.org/pages/downtown-conway
900 Oak Street Conway, AR 72032
Downtown Little Rock Partnership
101 E Capitol Ave #106, Little Rock, AR 72201
Main Street Dumas
http://www.dumasmainstreet.org
165 South Main Dumas, AR 71639 El Dorado
Main Street El Dorado
https://www.mainstreeteldorado.org
101 W Main St #410, El Dorado, AR 71730
Main Street Eureka Springs
https://www.mainstreeteurekasprings.org
2 Spring St # 1, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
64.6 Downtown
411 Garrison Ave Suite 109, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Downtown Jonesboro Alliance
https://www.jonesboro.org/294/Downtown-Jonesboro
407 Union Street Jonesboro, AR 72401
Main Street Osceola
https://www.osceolachamber.com
108 W Hale Ave, Osceola, AR 72370
Main Street Ozark
300 W Commercial St, Ozark, AR 72949
Main Street Downtown Paragould
https://www.downtownparagould.com
108 E Emerson St #4310, Paragould, AR 72450
Main Street Paris
https://www.parisarkansas.com/main-street-info
301 W. Walnut Paris, AR 72855
Main Street Pine Bluff
https://pinebluff-downtowndevelopment.com
110 North Pine Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Main Street Russellville
https://www.mainstreetrussellville.com
320 W C St, Russellville, AR 72801
Main Street Searcy
P.O. Box 1127 Searcy, AR 72145
Main Street Siloam Springs
311 S Mt Olive St, Siloam Springs, AR 72761
Main Street Texarkana
https://www.mainstreettexarkana.org
819 N State Line Ave, Texarkana, TX 75501
Main Street West Memphis
http://www.westmemphisutilities.com/190/Main-Street
231 E Broadway Street, West Memphis, AR 72301
Northwest Arkansas Council
The Northwest Arkansas Council is a private nonprofit that works to advance job opportunities, talent recruitment, physical infrastructure, healthcare and quality of life in Northwest Arkansas.
Arkansas Planning and Development Districts
The eight Arkansas planning districts provide a range of services, including grant writing and administration, for economic development projects for the counties in their regions.
Funding
Angel Capital Association
www.angelcapitalassociation.com
The Angel Capital Association is a network of 14,000+ accredited angel investors. The ACA's website allows individuals to find angel investors and learn more about angel investing.
Ark Angel Alliance
Conway, AR
The Ark Angel Alliance supports investment of startup companies and supports angel investors through development opportunities.
Communities Unlimited
3 E Colt Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72703
FORGE Community Loan Fund
P.O. Box 1138 Huntsville, AR 72740
Kiva Northwest Arkansas Hub
1 E Center St #270, Fayetteville, AR 72701
For a full list of funding options, visit AEDC's Funding page.
Advantage Capital
Advantage Capital is a growth and impact investment firm committed to providing capital to businesses in underserved markets. The firm's flexible, patient lending terms to the companies it works with, enabling them to create positive, lasting impacts on their communities. Advantage Capital has the flexibility to invest up and down the capital stack as either debt or equity and tailor its investments to fit the unique needs of each small business. Advantage has invested more than $3.8B in over 800 companies from a diverse array of industry sectors, including manufacturing, technology, and business services, among others.
Arkansas Capital Corporation
200 River Market Ave #400, Little Rock, AR 72201
Cadron Capital Partners
1 E Center St., Suite 270, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Natural Capital
Little Rock, AR
NewRoad Capital Partners
110 SW A St. Suite 209, Bentonville, AR 72712
RZC Investments
www.runwaynwa.com/new-ventures-and-investments
125 W. Central Ave. Suite 300, Bentonville, AR 72712
Tusk Private Investment
Bentonville, AR
For a full list of venture capital opportunities, visit AEDC's Small Business Funding page.
Entrepreneur and Small Business Support
Arkansas APEX Accelerator
2301 S University Ave #110, Little Rock, AR 72204
The Arkansas APEX Accelerator helps Arkansas small businesses to obtain government contracts.
Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub
204 E. 4th St., North Little Rock, AR 72114
The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub is a nonprofit organization that inspires innovation and expands opportunities for Arkansans. The Hub provides tools, resources, and training to entrepreneurs, students, and makers.
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center - Bentonville
http://asbtdc.org/fayetteville
700 SE 5th St. Suite 130, Bentonville, AR 72712
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center - Fayetteville
http://asbtdc.org/fayetteville
240 N. Block Ave., Suite 100, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center - Fort Smith
70 S. 7th St., Fort Smith, AR 72901
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center - Jonesboro
P.O. Box 2650, State University, AR 72467
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center - Little Rock
http://asbtdc.org/little-rock-lead-center
2801 S. University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72204
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center - Magnolia
100 East University, MSC 9192, Magnolia, AR 71753
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center - Monticello
140 University Place, Monticello, AR 71656
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center – Mountain Home
1600 S. College St., Mountain Home, AR 72653
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center- Pine Bluff
615 S. Main St., Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center - Russellville
http://asbtdc.org/russellville
106 W. O St., Russellville, AR 72801
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center – West Memphis
2000 W. Broadway Ave., West Memphis, AR 72301
Arkansas State University Innovation System
The Arkansas State University Innovation System is an entrepreneur ecosystem providing support for startups, technology transfer, business resources, and partnerships with businesses and communities.
Conductor
915 W. Oak Street #1004 Conway, AR 72032
The Conductor is a public-private partnership between the University of Central Arkansas and Startup Junkie, that empowers entrepreneurs, innovators, and makers.
Conexion de Negocios
http://conexiondenegocioslatinos.com/
2250 W Sunset Avenuee Suite 7&8 Springdale, AR 72764.
Conexión de Negocios (CNL) aims to provide leadership, networking, and support for the success of Latino businesses by providing resources, information and education while promoting the awareness of our culture. We have four main pillars which are to promote, educate, connect and support.
Delta Circles
Delta Circles focuses on advancing economic equity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement in the Arkansas Delta.
EforAll NWA
Fayetteville, AR
EforAll is a nonprofit that aims to accelerate economic and social impact in communities around the United States through inclusive entrepreneurship.
Endeavor NWA
Endeavor NWA selects, supports, and invests in entrepreneurs that are scaling their companies.
The Generator
www.goforwardpinebluff.org/the-generator
435 S. Main St., Pine Bluff, AR 71601
The Generator is an innovation hub powered by Go Forward Pine Bluff, which features a co-working space, a makerspace, and a digital space.
Innovate Arkansas
http://www.innovatearkansas.org/
Innovate Arkansas helps Arkansas entrepreneurs scale technology ventures into viable commercial enterprises.
Remix Ideas
300 S. Spring St., Suite 604, Little Rock, AR 72201
Remix Ideas provides consulting to early-stage startups, offers a 12-week business academy, and runs an Equity in Action Group. Remix Ideas also partnered with the Central Arkansas Library System on the Rock It! Lab in Little Rock.
SCORE
2120 Riverfront Drive
Little Rock, AR 72202
SCORE is the largest network of free volunteer small business mentors in the United States.
SCORE – Northwest Arkansas
1200 W. Walnut Street, Suite 3411, Rogers, AR 72756
Startup Junkie
1 E Center St #270, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Startup Junkie works to build entrepreneurial ecosystems in Arkansas by providing no-cost, one-on-one consulting; events; workshops; and programs, as well as providing access to capital and talent.
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/default.aspx
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research & Extension’s Cooperative Extension Service offers a range of services, including support for rural businesses in Arkansas, information on food entrepreneurship and how to start a food business, information on project funding, and leadership development.
University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
https://entrepreneurship.uark.edu/
The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for University of Arkansas students across all disciplines.
Venture Center
417 Main Street Little Rock, AR 72201
The Venture Center is an entrepreneur support organization that helps startups become viable, high-growth businesses.
Venture Noire
Venture Noire focuses on bridging the income inequality gap and improving Black business health.
Export and International Resources
Arkansas District Export Council
The Arkansas District Export Council is a not-for-profit corporation that provides advice and counsel about foreign markets, effective and innovative market strategies, and conducts and participates in export education workshops and seminars throughout Arkansas.
International Trade Administration
www.trade.gov/arkansas-little-rock
The International Trade Administration provides businesses with the expertise needed to connect with trade opportunities around the globe.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency connects the U.S. private sector to infrastructure projects in emerging markets.
World Trade Center Arkansas
World Trade Center Arkansas is dedicated to growing bilateral trade for the state of Arkansas by delivering world-class services, global connections, and export development programs to Arkansas businesses.
National Business Resources
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a nonprofit focused on entrepreneurship. The organization concentrates on fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems, entrepreneurial learning, and entrepreneur support organizations.
Minority Business Development Agency
The Minority Business Development Agency is a federal agency responsible for the growth of minority business enterprises in the United States.
U.S. Department of Agriculture | Rural Development
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Business Programs provide financial backing and technical assistance to stimulate business creation and growth.
Learn more about the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.
U.S. Department of Commerce
The U.S. Department of Commerce is the federal department charged with promoting job creation and economic growth. The department provides businesses with tools, such as the Decennial Census, the National Weather Service, and the Foreign Commercial Service.
See a full list of U.S. Commerce bureaus and offices: Bureaus and offices | U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. General Services Administration
www.gsa.gov/small-business/small-business-resources
The U.S. General Services Administration oversees the construction, management, and preservation of government buildings, as well as leasing and managing commercial real estate. The GSA offers a range of business resources and information on doing business with the agency and contracting.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is responsible for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Arkansas District Office – Little Rock
2120 Riverfront Drive, Suite 250, Little Rock, AR
501-324-7379
Arkansas District Office – Northwest Arkansas
35 East Mountain Street, Fayetteville, AR
Studies and Reports
Arkansas Entrepreneurship Policy Framework
This is a set of policy recommendations for developing a thriving small business and entrepreneurial community in Arkansas.
Arkansas Innovation Ecosystem Map
This map is a guide to innovation support in Arkansas.
Arkansas Small Business Access to Capital Study
This study from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation looks at access to capital for small business owners in Arkansas.
Read the original study.Arkansas Women's Commission Report
The 2022 Arkansas Women's Commission Report analyzes the role of women in the labor market and economy, identifying barriers for women. The report provides recommendations on how to reduce barriers for women in Arkansas.
The Business Case for Equity in Arkansas
This report from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation examines economic conditions in Arkansas and the impact that equity could have on the state.
This report examines the growth of minority business enterprises and their impact on the U.S. economy.
The report is from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency.
Women of Color Business Owners and Entrepreneurs in Arkansas
This study from the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and the University of Central Arkansas identifies gaps in Arkansas’ entrepreneurial ecosystem and the services provided by entrepreneurial support organizations to women of color. The report has a series of recommendations for building an inclusive ecosystem in Arkansas.
Arkansas Capital Scan
The 2022 Arkansas Capital Scan from the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Arkansas examines the capital resources flowing into small businesses, startups, and growth companies in the state of Arkansas during a calendar year.