About Us

Meet the people who make the Startup Junkie gears turn

Building a world of entrepreneurship in Arkansas

Through united efforts, the Startup Junkie team is improving lives through innovation and entrepreneurship. Startup Junkie Consulting marked its beginnings in 2008 and formally organized as an LLC in 2011 by offering consulting services at no-cost to entrepreneurs. In order to expand the reach, impact, and depth of services, Startup Junkie Foundation was born in 2015 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

As two organizations sharing the same purpose, mission, vision, and values, the team is jointly building entrepreneurial ecosystems in Northwest Arkansas through providing no-cost, one-on-one consulting; events, workshops, and programs; and access to capital and talent. Extending outside of the Ozarks region, Startup Junkie Consulting is also boosting emerging entrepreneurial communities spanning from Canada to South America and across Asia.

Meet with a Startup Junkie

Startup Junkie Consulting

Jeff Amerine

Founder and Managing Director, Startup Junkie Consulting

Brett Amerine

Managing Director, Startup Junkie Consulting

Phyl Amerine

Head of Philanthropic Programs, Startup Junkie Consulting

Louis Diesel

Director, Head of Asia, Startup Junkie Consulting

Jernej Adamic

Director, Global Business Development, Startup Junkie Consulting

Kristopher Adams

Program Manager, ARise , Startup Junkie Consulting

Florence Meadors

Program Manager, LRIC , Startup Junkie Consulting

Startup Junkie Foundation

Caleb Talley

Executive Director, Startup Junkie Foundation

Grace Gill

Fuel Accelerator Director & Consultant, Startup Junkie Foundation

Claudia Scott

NWA Kiva Hub Director, Startup Junkie Foundation

Harrison Kitson

Director of Marketing & Outreach, Startup Junkie Foundation

Daniel Koonce

Director of Community Events & Partnerships, Startup Junkie Foundation

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Matthew Ward

Senior Executive Consultant, Startup Junkie Foundation

Spring 2025 Interns

Ignacio Baldarrama

Senior Intern

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Emma Mahan

Intern

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Connor Hamm

Intern

A person with short, dark hair and clear glasses smiles softly, standing outdoors with green foliage blurred in the background.

Cindy Lin

Intern

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Ty Steele

Intern

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Grant Boston

Intern

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Na Tran

Intern

A young man in a navy suit and white dress shirt stands smiling in front of empty stadium seats arranged in rows. The background is blurred, focusing on the man.

Zoen Howley

Intern

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