ARise

?? The hardest part of raising capital isn’t the pitch—it’s getting in the right rooms. Every founder knows the grind: endless cold emails, lukewarm intros, and trying to prove that your market isn’t “too early” or “too niche.” But what if the investors came to you? That’s exactly why we started VC Immersions. On May 14, we’re bringing 20+ top venture firms to Northwest Arkansas for curated 1:1 meetings with high-growth startups. ?? Last cycle, 261+ meetings led to 12 companies funded and nearly $10M in term sheets. If you're raising in the next 6-18 months, this is your shot to get in front of investors who are actively writing checks. ?? Apply by April 7 → https://lnkd.in/gnuM-Qyy Even if you’re not selected for 1:1 meetings, you’ll still be invited to broader investor-founder events happening around the program. The best founders don’t wait for opportunity—they put themselves in the right rooms. Tag a founder who should apply. ?? Charles Hudson Adam Besvinick Tara Nikkhoo Scott Lopano Lisa Stone Amber Illig Matt Miller, PhD Julian Counihan Will Hawthorne Susan Moring Nathaniel Harding Monique Woodard Michael Cardamone Brett Calhoun Kristi Ebong Matt Hickman Jay Kapoor Kate Evinger David Matthews Caroline Lewis Maggie Kenefake Nelson Peacock Nathan Green Mikayla Dietz Mary Mickel Quinn Robertson Canem Arkan Kristopher Adams Jeff Amerine, PMP Brett Amerine Donald Huffner Matt Tarver Paige Jernigan Jim Smith Rebecca Hurst Samantha Colletti Bobby Franklin Brian Wardle

You guys showed UP last night for our Zero-Dollar Marketing panel! The room was packed with startup founders, creative entrepreneurs, and marketing experts all looking for ways to grow on a budget. And our panel delivered with actionable, no-cost strategies that WORK. Huge thanks to Startup Junkie for teaming up with us, and to everyone who joined! If you made it out, drop the best marketing tip you’re taking with you! ?? Kristopher Adams | Startup Junkie | Arkansas Economic Development Commission | Conductor | Daniel Koonce | Harrison Kitson | Kendall Jasper | Bryan Fittin | Rashel Hariri | Rebecca Black | Jeff Amerine, PMP | Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | Caleb Talley | Brett Amerine

?? Last Chance! Don’t Miss Out on Zero-Dollar Marketing Magic! ?? No budget? No problem. The best marketers don’t rely on big ad spends—they use creativity, strategy, and guerrilla tactics to win. Want to learn how? ??? March 18 | ? 6:00 - 7:30 PM | ?? Fayetteville Public Library Join ARise + Startup Junkie for this insider session with powerhouse marketers with real startup and small business experience! ?? Spots are filling up—don’t wait! Register now: https://bit.ly/4kuF01R #ZeroDollarMarketing #StartupSuccess #NoBudgetNoProblem #Startup #Tech #Marketing #AI #Arkansas Kaitlyn Loughridge | Jeff Amerine, PMP | Caleb Talley | Brett Amerine | Harrison Kitson | Daniel Koonce | Conductor | Grace Rains, MBA | Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | City of Fayetteville, Arkansas | Devin Howland, CEcD | Go Rogue Studio | Bryan Fittin | Allisha Watkins | Paradox | Rashel Hariri | She's Interesting | Rebecca Black | Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster | 75Strong Arkansas | Grace Gill | Fuel Accelerator

Your startup could be missing out on major incentives! Join us on April 8th for a virtual workshop on startup growth in Arkansas. Learn about the incentives and resources available from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) to take your business to the next level. RSVP today! https://lu.ma/ynx0hfpz Arkansas Economic Development Commission | Laura Kingrey | Mallory Race | Bob Kucheravy | Esperanza Massana Crane | Clint O'Neal, CEcD | Kristopher Adams | Jeff Amerine, PMP | Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | Brett Amerine

ARise stopped by the University of the Ozarks to connect with their Entrepreneurship Club. Kristopher Adams, Claudia Porras Scott, and Kendall Jasper led an engaging discussion on the current landscape of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and how young entrepreneurs can successfully navigate it. Students were encouraged to begin building their startups so they can take advantage of the ARise program. They also had the opportunity to connect with the Pet Buddy team before the Governor’s Cup competition. ?? Conductor | Startup Junkie | Arkansas Economic Development Commission | Esperanza Massana Crane | Laura Kingrey | Jeff Amerine, PMP | Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | Matthew Ward | Daniel Koonce | Harrison Kitson | Grace Rains, MBA | Bob Kucheravy

It's Friday! ?? But don't check out for the weekend too early! If you haven't registered yet, please sign up to join us for ARise's upcoming event "Zero-Dollar Marketing Plan: Leveraging Guerrilla Tactics for Growth," which will be a panel discussion on low-cost marketing strategies for entrepreneurs and startups. ??? : https://lnkd.in/gfThGC8J ??? Tuesday, March 18 ? 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM ?? Fayetteville Public Library ???? Allisha Watkins, Rashel Hariri, Rebecca Black, Kim Bryden, and Jeremy Dean with Startup Junkie Kaitlyn Loughridge | Kailey Sullivan | Harrison Kitson | Daniel Koonce | Caleb Talley | University of Arkansas -- Sam M. Walton College of Business | University of Arkansas | NorthWest Arkansas Community College | City of Fayetteville, Arkansas | Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce | John Brown University | University of Arkansas Graduate School and International Education | John Brown University Graduate School | Nicole Iman | Enia S. | Ericka Talley | Ethan McCarthy | Alaina Pattillo | Rodrigo Salas

Are you registered yet?! Come join in on a night full of good food, networking, and invaluable insights from this power packed panel!

Don't Miss This Power-Packed Panel! ?? Zero-dollar marketing, real-world success stories, and expert insights—this event is packed with everything you need to grow your startup without breaking the bank! ?? March 18 | 6-7:30 PM ?? Fayetteville Public Library RSVP Today! https://lnkd.in/gqbzUfAH

Build Your Business the Right Way! ?? Join us on March 20th at the Arnold Innovation Center to learn the legal foundations of starting a legitimate business. We're partnering with Conductor to host a workshop on Foundations of a Legitimate Business: Building Legally from Day One with Attorney Brooklyn Parker from The Jason Owens Law Firm. Join Brooklyn, as she breaks down creating your business and building it legally brick by brick from day one! ?? In-Person & Virtual Option ?? 12:00 - 1:00 PM ??? Save your spot now! https://buff.ly/41rXCrL

Arkansas Innovators, Your Launch Window is Open! The future of tech and innovation is calling. ARise is your mission control—providing the expertise, navigation, and connections you need to take off and scale out of this world. - Expert guidance for faster growth - Smarter funding connections - Powerful industry networks - A clear path from idea to impact The future of tech is being built right here in Arkansas—and we’re making sure you have everything you need to rise. So if you're ready for lift-off, enroll in ARise today buff.ly/NDlKJAZ. #ARise #Arkansas #Innovation #Startups #TechStartups #Tech #Scale #VentureCapital Kristopher Adams | Kaitlyn Loughridge | Arkansas Economic Development Commission | Clint O'Neal, CEcD | Esperanza Massana Crane | Bob Kucheravy | Laura Kingrey | Mallory Race | Tyler Hale | Startup Junkie | Jeff Amerine, PMP | Brett Amerine | Caleb Talley | Matthew Ward | Conductor | Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | Grace Rains, MBA | Janell Owens Reeves, MBA | Jamie Wright | Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster | Florence Meadors