The Venture Center Relaunches Quarterly Series as VCInnovate, Welcomes Laravel Creator Taylor Otwell as First Speaker

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 5, 2025) – The Venture Center is excited to announce the relaunch of its quarterly meetup and speaker series under a new name: VCInnovate. Previously VCTech, the revamped series highlights Arkansas-based entrepreneurs and changemakers across a wide range of industries — not just tech — making bold moves to shape the future of work.

The first VCInnovate event will take place on Wednesday, September 10 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at The Venture Center (417 Main Street, Little Rock) and will feature Taylor Otwell, software developer and creator of Laravel. Attendees can RSVP to this free event at venturecenter.co.

“We’re excited to relaunch this series as VCInnovate to better reflect the diverse and dynamic innovation happening across Arkansas,” said Ashley Jones, vice president of programs and operations at The Venture Center. “Innovation isn’t limited to one sector and this series is about shining a light on the creative thinkers and bold builders across all industries who are shaping the future from right here in Arkansas.”

Otwell is best known for developing Laravel, the open-source PHP framework that has become a cornerstone of modern web development. From his home in Arkansas, Otwell has built a global community through tools that streamline the developer experience, foster collaboration, and promote clean, maintainable code.

“Building Laravel from right here in Arkansas has shown me that world-class innovation doesn’t need a coast,” Otwell said. “I’m excited to share how anyone, from anywhere, can create something that makes an impact.”

VCTech first launched to highlight Arkansas’s growing innovation ecosystem — a mission that remains unchanged. As the state’s entrepreneurial landscape expands, so does the definition of innovation. This includes industries in technology, food, education, manufacturing and community building, among others. The shift to VCInnovate reflects that broader scope. The Venture Center remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs across industries by providing education, resources and opportunities to grow.

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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 and Instagram.