About Us

Meet the people who make the Startup Junkie gears turn

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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

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Jeff Amerine

Founder and Managing Director, Startup Junkie Consulting

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Brett Amerine

Managing Director, Startup Junkie Consulting

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Phyl Amerine

Head of Philanthropic Programs, Startup Junkie Consulting

Jernej Adamic

Director, Global Business Development, Startup Junkie Consulting

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Kristopher Adams

Program Manager, ARise , Startup Junkie Consulting

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Florence Meadors

Program Manager, LRIC , Startup Junkie Consulting

Startup Junkie Foundation

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Caleb Talley

Executive Director, Startup Junkie Foundation

Grace Gill

Fuel Accelerator Director & Consultant, Startup Junkie Foundation

Claudia Scott

Director of Entreprenuerial Access & Kiva NWA, 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

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Danny Duong

Fuel Accelerator Operations Manager, Startup Junkie Foundation

Ignacio Balderrama

Kiva Associate, Capital Access

Fall 2026 Interns

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Ty Steele

Senior Intern

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Cindy Lin

Intern

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Dylan Gray

Intern

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Ava Cook

Intern

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Shely Flores Ferrufíno

Intern

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