Access capital, mentorship and network with industry leaders in exclusive series
StartupNWA, an initiative of the Northwest Arkansas Council, is accepting applications for its October 2024 VC Immersions series, a program designed to lower barriers for startups seeking early-stage capital. Taking place on Oct. 29-30, the series will connect entrepreneurs with top-tier venture capitalists, offering access to critical funding and mentorship, while building the essential relationships often needed to secure investor support.
StartupNWA’s VC Immersion series is the first and only initiative of its kind in the nation. Startups from across the Heartland are invited to engage with some of the country’s top venture capital firms. These connections will help close the gap between investors and emerging startups, fostering unparalleled opportunities for innovation and growth in traditionally underserved markets.
“The VC Immersions series is poised to reshape the venture capital landscape by expanding opportunities beyond traditional coastal hubs,” said Serafina Lalany, executive director of StartupNWA. “With nearly 75% of venture capital concentrated in California, New York and Massachusetts, StartupNWA aims to open opportunities for early-stage startups in Arkansas and the Heartland.”
Expanding from the successful February pilot event, the series aims to foster relationships by offering one-on-one pitch meetings between selected startups and visiting VC firms, bridging the capital divide and helping founders establish the relationships critical to securing investment.
Participating Firms
The 30 confirmed venture capital firms* span 11 states and Washington, D.C., including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. Together, the firms represent more than $4 billion in assets under management.
- 46 Venture Capital (Tulsa)
- American Heart Association Ventures (Dallas)
- Arkansas Venture Capital Fund (Little Rock)
- Artemis Fund (Houston)
- Atento Capital (Tulsa)
- B21 (Little Rock)
- Capital Factory (Austin)
- Cathexis (Houston)
- Clutch VC (Austin)
- Cortado Ventures (Oklahoma City)
- eGateway Capital (Covington, Ky)
- Flyover Capital (Kansas City)
- Gener8or (Madison, Wis.)
- KCRise Fund (Kansas City)
- Ingeborg Ventures (Bentonville and Washington, D.C.)
- Iron Prairie Ventures (Kansas City)
- M25 (Chicago)
- Mercury Fund (Houston)
- Narya Capital (Columbus, Ohio)
- Pinnacle Private Ventures (Springfield, Mo)
- Plains Ventures (Oklahoma City)
- Plug & Play (Sunnyvale, Calif.)
- Radius Capital (San Francisco and Tulsa)
- Red Beard Ventures (San Francisco)
- Revolution (Washington, D.C.)
- RevTech (Dallas)
- Soma Capital (New York City and San Francisco)
- South Loop Ventures (Houston)
- Stout Street Capital (Denver)
- TMV (New York City)
*More VC firms may be added prior to the event.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
All startups that apply will be included in StartupNWA’s deal database, which is regularly syndicated to a network of more than 100 institutional investors across the country, further increasing exposure to funding opportunities. In addition, applicants will be invited to attend networking events, including a community happy hour on Oct. 29, where they can connect with investors and fellow entrepreneurs.
“This initiative empowers innovation in regions rich with talent yet historically overlooked, unlocking new possibilities and ensuring startups have access to the resources and capital they need to thrive,” Lalany added.
Key dates for the program include the application deadline of Sept. 30, with selection announcements the second week of October.
Further details, including the full schedule and investor lineup, will be announced closer to the event date.
How to apply: Startups from across the U.S. are encouraged to apply, with a particular focus on those based in the Heartland. Applications are open to all startups, and entrepreneurs do not need to be based in Northwest Arkansas to participate.
