Fayetteville and Little Rock, Ark.- August 29, 2024 – Arkansas Capital is excited to partner with Startup Junkie and its newest program ARise for the Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition. Dhu Thompson, Owner of US Irrigation and Former Owner/President of Delta Plastics and Revolution Bag, returns as the Title Sponsor for the 25th year of the program. Startup Junkie and ARise join as the sponsor for the High Growth Technology Graduate Division for the first time after launching their new program in June 2024.
“Arkansas Capital has positively impacted thousands of student entrepreneurs through the Governor’s Cup competition, thanks to the generous support of our partners and sponsors. We are excited to enhance this impact through our new partnership with Startup Junkie and ARise, which will provide additional support and coaching opportunities for all participating students and teams,” added Sam Walls III, CEO, of Arkansas Capital.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Governor’s Cup this year. Sponsoring the High Growth Technology Graduate Division is the perfect opportunity for our new ARise program as it is specifically designed to support Arkansas innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs engaged in tech and tech-enabled ventures,” said Jeff Amerine, Startup Junkie Founder and Co-Director of the ARise program.
Arkansas Capital is focused on increasing participation by students and institutions across the state. To make the program more accessible and support early-stage startups in the Natural State, Startup Junkie and ARise will lead training workshops to strengthen student teams’ oral presentation and elevator pitch skills. Additionally, Startup Junkie and ARise are offering free coaching services to help students prepare for the competition. ARise’s advanced subject matter expert network will also be available to provide insight, answer questions, and assist Governor’s Cup teams.
The Governor’s Cup is open to undergraduate students from two- and four-year institutions in Arkansas, as well as graduate students from Arkansas and surrounding states. Startup Junkie and ARise’s workshops and coaching are available to students in all competition divisions. Following the competition, ARise’s services will continue to be available to any Arkansas-based tech and tech-enabled companies as part of their long-term program to grow Arkansas’ economy through entrepreneurial support and services. The 2025 all-cash prize pool is $144,000.
For more information on the Governor’s Cup, visit www.argovernorscup.com, and to learn more about Startup Junkie and ARise, visit arisearkansas.org. Photos from the 2024 Governor’s Cup can be accessed here. ###
Arkansas Capital Corporation is a private, nonprofit special project finance company formed in 1957. Through its affiliates and subsidiaries, Arkansas Capital partners with commercial banks, small businesses, and others from the private and public sectors to create and preserve employment opportunities and stimulate economic development in Arkansas and its bordering states. In addition, Arkansas Capital facilitates entrepreneurial development in students through programs like the Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition and the Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase.
Startup Junkie is a mission-driven organization that exists to improve lives through innovation and entrepreneurship. With a goal to stimulate economic growth in the region, the organization provides a variety of services including mentorship, consulting, training, and more. Startup Junkie has an extensive network of partners and professionals that are dedicated to enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas. The organization has served thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners through one-on-one consulting, curated programs and over 200 events a year.
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.
