The Venture Center, Little Rock Regional Chamber Announce Search for 2024 ‘Spark!’ Small Business Cohort
The Venture Center, Little Rock Regional Chamber Announce Search for 2024 ‘Spark!’ Small Business Cohort
Applications for the fall 2024 cohort open through August 14
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. July 25, 2024 – The Venture Center and Little Rock Regional Chamber have opened applications for the fall cohort of Spark!, a pre-accelerator program for small businesses in central Arkansas. Now in its sixth year, Spark! will deliver mentorship, publicity, and subject matter expertise to selected small businesses through a 12-week program.
Spark! will run from September 18 through December 11. The Spark! The Selection Committee will accept fall program applications until Wednesday, August, 14, 2024.
“Over the past five years, Spark! participants have demonstrated remarkable dedication in growing their businesses and fortifying the small business community in Central Arkansas,” said Arthur Orduña, executive director of The Venture Center. “Each year, the enthusiasm to join the program increases, and we are thrilled to support even more entrepreneurs in 2024. It is an honor to contribute to their journey through mentorship and the invaluable connections facilitated by our partnership with the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.”
The 2024 Spark! program will accept up to ten local startups to participate in the 12-week bootcamp. Led by The Venture Center, the Little Rock Regional Chamber, and local subject matter expert volunteers, the Spark! cohort will gain critical business skills in sales, marketing, and small business finance.
“Accelerator programs provide critical support to entrepreneurs, and we’re fortunate to have the Spark! Accelerator right here in Little Rock. All entrepreneurs who are nurturing ventures – whether an idea or a business looking to scale – benefit from guidance, community, and connections to resources,” said Jay Chesshir, president & CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber. “Produced with our partners at The Venture Center, Spark! provides the needed support that supports our entrepreneurs and contributes to Little Rock’s growing world-class business community.”
Qualifying applicants will be full-time or part-time founders/CEO of startup companies in any industry and with verifiable revenue between $25,000 and $100,000 operating between one to five years and will be central Arkansas residents. Benefits of the program include access to mentors via our local mentoring program and the opportunity to connect with business investors and other sources of capital. To learn more about Spark!, or to apply to be a program participant, please visit www.venturecenter.co/spark.
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About The Venture Center
The Venture Center is a globally recognized Arkansas-based Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) that helps entrepreneurs turn their start-ups into viable, high-growth businesses. By leveraging the expertise of a world-class team of mentors, intensive programming, and introductions to the investor community, The Venture Center serves as an engine for economic growth in Arkansas and beyond. Learn more at www.venturecenter.co. Follow The Venture Center on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@VentureCenter), and Instagram.
About The Little Rock Regional Chamber
The Little Rock Regional Chamber is the principal business-driven leadership organization responsible for fostering the economic growth and development of the Little Rock region to ensure that business and industry may operate profitably and enhance the earning opportunities and quality of life for every citizen.