Startup Junkie Foundation

For more than ten years, Startup Junkie Foundation has worked to make entrepreneurship accessible to anyone with an idea, a dream, and the willingness to put in the work. We believe that a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem can improve lives, lift families, and strengthen the communities we call home. But we also know these ecosystems don’t build themselves. They require intention, collaboration, and people who care enough to show up for the dreamers, the doers, and the problem-solvers.

Since January 2025, our team has supported more than 450 founders in Northwest Arkansas and another 500 through collaborative initiatives across the state. These aren’t just numbers. They are the people who create jobs, make payroll, open beloved local businesses, and provide the services that keep Northwest Arkansas vibrant and thriving. And when access to capital becomes a barrier, we stand in the gap: more than $2 million in no-interest Kiva microloans deployed since 2020, including over $250,000 in just the last year to help underserved entrepreneurs stabilize or grow.

Our impact extends beyond consulting and capital. Through our volunteer-powered UpStart Thrift Store, donated goods become quarterly grants for small businesses across Washington County. Through our Fuel Accelerator, we bring innovative solutions and high-growth ventures into NWA – 16 companies this year alone, with 3 relocating here, 7 opening local offices, and millions raised or earned to grow right here in our region. Across all this work, our Net Promoter Score remains just shy of 97, reflecting the trust and value felt by the people we serve.

This year, for the first time, we’re inviting our community to stand with us. Funding environments are shifting, and we want to ensure Startup Junkie can continue building momentum, expanding opportunity, and supporting the underestimated, the dedicated, and the ambitious for many years to come. If you’ve ever learned something at one of our workshops, met someone impactful at one of our events, found clarity through a session with our team, or simply believe in the power of small businesses to strengthen communities, we invite you to give at whatever level feels right. Every dollar fuels this mission and directly supports the people working hard to build the future of Northwest Arkansas. Let’s keep building this thing together.