Village Capital and Kiva NWA are holding joint, drop-in office hours at Startup Junkie on four Wednesdays this fall: Nov 4, Nov 11, Dec 2 and Dec 9, from 11 AM to 1 PM. The sessions are free, informal and open to anyone exploring startup funding in Northwest Arkansas, from small business loans to revenue-based financing. No appointment needed.

If you have been searching for small business loans in Arkansas or trying to sort out startup funding options for a company in Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers or Bentonville, you know the hard part is not finding information. It is finding someone who will sit down and talk through what actually fits your business. For four Wednesdays, two of them will be at the same table in our office in downtown Fayetteville.

Office hours details

• When: Wednesdays, Nov 4, Nov 11, Dec 2 and Dec 9, 2026, 11 AM to 1 PM
• Where: Startup Junkie, 1 E Center St, Suite 270, Fayetteville, AR 72701
• Cost: Free. Drop in anytime.
• RSVP (optional): luma.com/vilcap-kiva-office-hours

Two options for startup funding in Northwest Arkansas

Kiva NWA: 0% interest microloans with no collateral

Kiva NWA offers 0% interest, no-fee crowdfunded microloans of $1,000 to $15,000 to entrepreneurs in Washington and Benton counties. There is no minimum credit score and no collateral requirement, which makes Kiva one of the few realistic paths to a small business loan with bad credit or no credit history. Loans are funded by community lenders and matched with support from the Walton Family Foundation, and the Kiva NWA team walks you through the application and your fundraising campaign. Read more about Kiva loan requirements, or stop by and ask.

Village Capital: revenue-based financing for early-stage startups

Brian Wells, Village Capital’s Investment Officer for Northwest Arkansas, will be on hand to discuss the VilCap Innovative Capital Facility NWA. The facility provides flexible, revenue-based financing for early-stage, scalable companies in the region that are not yet ready for bank loans and may not be a fit for traditional venture capital. Instead of a fixed monthly payment, repayment is tied to your revenue. Whether you are comparing alternative business funding, wondering if the facility could be a fit for your company, or just want to learn how the model works, Brian is there to talk it through. Learn more at vilcap.com.

Who should come to office hours

• Founders with early revenue who have outgrown bootstrapping but are not raising venture capital
• Small business owners who were turned down by a bank or do not want high-interest debt
• Anyone who wants to understand what funding options actually exist for a Northwest Arkansas business before they need one

You do not need a pitch deck or a formal plan. Bring your questions and a rough idea of where your business is headed.

Frequently asked questions

How does a Kiva loan work?

You apply through Kiva NWA, then raise your loan from individual lenders on Kiva’s crowdfunding platform, starting with people you know. Once the loan is fully funded, the money is disbursed and you repay it at 0% interest with no fees. The Kiva NWA team supports you at every step.

What are the Kiva loan requirements?

Your business must be in Washington or Benton County. There is no minimum credit score and no collateral. You will need basic business documents, a bank statement and a short story about your business for lenders.

What is revenue-based financing?

Revenue-based financing is capital repaid as a percentage of your revenue rather than through fixed loan payments. Payments rise and fall with your sales, which is why it suits growing companies that are not ready for a bank loan or venture capital.

Is this a small business grant?

No. Both Kiva NWA loans and Village Capital financing are repaid. If you are searching for small business grants in Arkansas, drop in anyway; the Kiva NWA team can point you to what exists and help you decide whether a 0% loan is a better fit.

Can I come if my business is not in Fayetteville?

Yes. Kiva NWA serves all of Washington and Benton counties, and Village Capital’s facility covers Northwest Arkansas.

Cannot make a Wednesday?

Reach out anytime with questions about startup funding in Northwest Arkansas. Kiva NWA information is always available at kiva-nwa.org, and our no-cost business consulting is available year-round through Startup Junkie.