Launched in the summer of 2022, the UpStart Thrift Store is a project designed to generate resources for community support. By selling donated clothes and home goods at affordable prices, the store allocates all proceeds\u2014after covering rent and utilities\u2014to fund Kiva loans and small business grants.<\/span><\/p>\n UpStart Thrift Store awards needs-based grants starting at $500 to small business owners in Washington County. The UpStart Thrift Store team works alongside Startup Junkie Foundation leadership to select the awardees based on the merits of their application.<\/span><\/p>\n This year, grants were awarded to Zach Taylor of Fat Top Farm and Diana Michelle of Fine Art of Massage. Both are repeat borrowers from Kiva Northwest Arkansas, a Startup Junkie program offering interest-free, crowdfunded, business loans, and their ongoing engagement with the program demonstrated their commitment to positive community impact.<\/span><\/p>\n Zach Taylor received $3,000 funding to implement geothermal improvements on his farm, which will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of his operations while enhancing productivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWith the upgrades I have been able to implement on our property, I expect to pay 40% of what I used to pay for heating and cooling my fruiting rooms,” Zach explained. “The money I save will be an investment in the future for this company. I am forever grateful for this program.\u201d His farm, known for its sustainable agriculture practices, currently produces up to 500 pounds of mushrooms weekly.<\/span><\/p>\n Diana Michelle, a dedicated photographer and licensed massage therapist, was awarded a $2,000 grant to upgrade the facilities at her massage studio. The funding will help install a new carpet, enhancing the studio’s atmosphere and creating a more comfortable environment for her clients.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cMy space looks much better with the new carpet installed and has increased the appeal of my massage studio. I am so appreciative for the help programs like UpStart Thrift Store and Kiva Northwest Arkansas have provided me,\u201d Diana shared.<\/span><\/p>\n These grants have not only provided immediate financial relief but also contribute to the long-term success of these local businesses. By supporting entrepreneurs like Zach and Diana, UpStart Thrift Store plays a crucial role in strengthening the Washington County business community and driving economic development.<\/span><\/p>\n The UpStart Thrift Store Grant Program accepts applications on a quarterly basis, with the current application period now open. If you are interested in applying for a grant, please visit <\/span>UpStart Thrift Store<\/span><\/a> for more information and to submit your application.<\/span><\/p>\n ###<\/span><\/p>\n About <\/b>Upstart Thrift Store<\/b><\/a>: <\/b>UpStart Thrift Store is your go-to destination for unique finds and treasures, nestled at <\/span>235 Main Street in Farmington<\/span>. Just a stone\u2019s throw away from Fayetteville, heading westbound on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, we are more than just a thrift store. We\u2019re a community cornerstone, supporting innovators, entrepreneurs, and small business owners through the Startup Junkie Foundation<\/span><\/p>\n About <\/b>Startup Junkie<\/b><\/a>: Startup Junkie is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation in Northwest Arkansas. Through events, workshops, and mentorship, we support startups at every stage of their journey.<\/span><\/p>\n About <\/b>Kiva NWA<\/b><\/a>: <\/b>Kiva NWA, a Fayetteville-based microlending platform facilitated by the Startup Junkie Foundation and supported by the Walton Family Foundation, provides financial access to entrepreneurs in Northwest Arkansas. The program focuses on community-based lending and character over credit, offering interest-free business loans ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Farmington, AR | August 5th, 2024 – UpStart Thrift Store, operated by the Startup Junkie Foundation, has awarded grants to two outstanding local entrepreneurs through the UpStart Thrift Store Grant Program. This initiative underscores the store’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial growth within Washington County. Launched in the summer of 2022, the UpStart Thrift Store is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3442,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" ARise is on a mission to empower tech ventures in Arkansas to scale up, create high-wage employment opportunities, and drive world-class technological innovation throughout the state. With a vision of becoming the driving force behind entrepreneurial economic growth in Arkansas, ARise aims to establish the state as a premier destination for tech companies worldwide to start and scale their businesses.<\/p>\r\n\r\n ARise offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to support startups and entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey:<\/p>\r\n\r\n ARise provides personalized consulting and coaching to guide tech ventures toward success, from concept validation to scaling strategies. Differentiating itself from other programs, ARise provides its startups with coaching on a continued basis and regular check-ins to ensure each venture has a customized plan to receive services and support.<\/p>\r\n\r\n ARise helps startups navigate the capital landscape, connecting them with funding opportunities and providing the support they need to secure investment. Whether a startup is looking for venture capital or non-dilutive government support, ARise assists innovators with securing the best funding for the current stage of their company. The program also offers investor recruitment and education to support startups within Arkansas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n ARise's network of SMEs and mentors offers invaluable guidance and support across industries, empowering entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. This SME network provides a breadth of knowledge for new ventures, including the expertise of those who have grown their own companies and those who have proficiency in highly specialized fields like biotechnology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and retail value chain management.<\/p>\r\n\r\n As a collaboration between Startup Junkie, Conductor, and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, ARise facilitates connections between startups and established companies to foster growth and expansion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n ARise strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Arkansas through a comprehensive digital resource library, targeted events, and collaborations with other entrepreneurial support organizations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The ARise program is open to tech and tech-enabled ventures that are Arkansas-based and scalable. All services are offered at no charge to entrepreneurs across the state. To enroll in the program, visit\u00a0www.ARiseArkansas.org<\/a>\u00a0to (1) complete an onboarding application and (2) schedule an initial consultation with a program representative.<\/p>\r\n\r\n \u201cGrowing technology companies is critical for Arkansas\u2019 long-term economic success. The ARise program is a key element of our strategy for providing support and resources for tech ventures as they scale up in the Natural State.\u201d - Clint O\u2019Neal, Executive Director, Arkansas Economic Development Commission<\/p>\r\n \u201cLaunching a tech venture is a challenging endeavor \u2013 and entrepreneurs do not always have the resources they need to succeed. Through the ARise program, we aim to provide tech entrepreneurs with the resources and expertise they need to grow and scale their businesses. We are excited to collaborate with Startup Junkie Consulting on the management of the ARise program to help tech entrepreneurs create high-tech business growth in the Natural State.\u201d - Esperanza Massana Crane, Director, AEDC\u2019s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division<\/p>\r\n \u201cARise reflects our vision and brand promise to help AEDC drive an increasingly bright future for Arkansas-based tech and tech-enabled ventures.\u00a0 We could not be more excited to be partnered with AEDC for this critical statewide program.\u201d\u00a0- Jeff Amerine, Co-Director at ARise & Founder and Managing Director at Startup Junkie Consulting<\/p>\r\n \u201cWe\u2019ve built the ARise program and services to fill gaps for tech and tech-enabled entrepreneurs looking to scale within our state and to open doors for those entrepreneurs within our state - we want entrepreneurs to have access to all our state has to offer including SMEs, industry partners, and other resources.\u201d - Grace Rains, Co-Director at ARise & Executive Director at Conductor<\/p>\r\n ARise - Arkansas Innovators, Startups, and Entrepreneurs is on a mission to empower tech ventures in Arkansas to scale up, create high-wage employment opportunities, and drive world-class technological innovation throughout the state. This is a collaborative initiative funded by the Arkansas Economic Development Organization and led by Startup Junkie. ARise is dedicated to empowering tech ventures in Arkansas through consulting and coaching, capital access, a subject matter expert network, industry connections, and ecosystem resources.<\/p>\r\n For media inquiries, please contact:<\/p>\r\n Kristopher Adams, ARise Program Manager<\/p>\r\n kris@arisearkansas.org<\/a><\/p>\r\n 479-402-0036<\/p>\r\n Tyler Hale, Communications Officer<\/p>\r\n tyler.hale@arkansasedc.com<\/a><\/p>\r\n 501-410-7883<\/p>\r\n For more information about ARise, visit\u00a0arisearkansas.org<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n Follow ARise on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a> for updates and announcements.<\/p>\r\n About Arkansas Economic Development Commission<\/p>\r\n At AEDC, we know economic advancement doesn\u2019t happen by accident. We work strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success. AEDC is a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce. To learn more, visit ArkansasEDC.com.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press-release"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3407"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3439,"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3407\/revisions\/3439"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3407"}],"curies":[{"name":"\uc6cc\ub4dc\ud504\ub808\uc2a4","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"ARise](\"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/ARise-300x300.png\")
\r\nIntroducing ARise: Arkansas Innovators, Startups, and Entrepreneurs<\/h1>\r\nFayetteville, Conway, and Little Rock, Ark.- June 20, 2024 -<\/strong> Arkansas's tech entrepreneurs have a new ally in their journey towards success with the launch of ARise - Arkansas Innovators, Startups, and Entrepreneurs. A fresh and expanded iteration of the Arkansas Statewide Technology Commercialization program formerly known as Innovate Arkansas, ARise is an ambitious initiative funded by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and led by Startup Junkie, aimed at propelling tech and tech-enabled companies in Arkansas to new heights of innovation and economic vitality.\r\n\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/startupjunkie.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/ARise-Startup-Junkie-Conductor-AECD-Tech-Program-1-300x200.jpg\")
\r\nMission & Vision<\/h3>\r\n
Program Services<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n \t
Startup Consulting and Coaching<\/h4>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n \t
Capital Access Navigation<\/h4>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n \t
Advanced Subject Matter Expert (SME) Network<\/h4>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n \t
Connection to Industry<\/h4>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n \t
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Resources<\/h4>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
Enrollment<\/h3>\r\n
Quotes<\/h3>\r\n