The Venture Center and the Little Rock Regional Chamber Set to Spark! Growth for Two Cohorts in 2022

Posted on February 9, 2022
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The Venture Center and the Little Rock Regional Chamber Set to Spark! Growth for Two Cohorts in 2022

Applications for Spring 2022 Cohort Open Through April 1

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. February 8, 2022 – The Venture Center and Little Rock Regional Chamber have opened applications for the Spring cohort of Spark!, an accelerator program for small businesses in central Arkansas. Now in its fourth year, Spark! will deliver mentorship, publicity, and subject matter expertise to selected small businesses through a 10-week virtual/in-person hybrid program.

This year, Spark! will serve two cohorts and will run from April 27 through June 29. The Spark! Selection Committee will accept Spring program applications until Friday, April 1, 2022. 

“Over the past three years, Spark! program participants have put in hard work to grow their businesses and strengthen the small business community here in Central Arkansas,” said Wayne Miller, Executive Director of The Venture Center.  “Every year, more people put their hands up and say they’d like to join in. We are excited to offer two sessions to serve more entrepreneurs in 2022 and beyond. We are delighted to play a role in their journey by providing mentorship and connections with our co-founders at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.” 

The 2022 Spark! program will accept up to ten local startups to participate in the 10-week virtual/hybrid 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 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, Ventureship and the opportunity to win thousands of dollars in seed capital by pitching at Pitch ‘N Pint on June 9. 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.  

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.