Highstep, a new early-stage accelerator program based in Northwest Arkansas, has launched with a mission to help founders build the next generation of tech-enabled professional services firms targeting the retail value chain. Backed by Winrock International, the program combines artificial intelligence expertise with Arkansas’ entrepreneurial ecosystem to create scalable service businesses.
Michael Paladino, co-founder and former CEO of RevUnit, serves as managing director. His leadership at RevUnit helped drive significant growth, leading to a private equity investment in 2019. Now, through Highstep, he aims to turn those lessons into a launchpad for AI-powered professional services, reinforcing Northwest Arkansas as a growing force in innovation.
“Entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive when founders reinvest in the next generation,” said Serafina Lalany, executive director of StartupNWA at the Northwest Arkansas Council. “With Highstep, Michael Paladino is turning lessons from RevUnit into a launchpad for AI-powered professional services. It’s another full-circle moment that reinforces Northwest Arkansas as a growing force in innovation.”
Highstep is selecting ten Arkansas-based founders to participate in its inaugural cohort, which runs from April 2 to early September 2025. The program focuses on addressing evolving retail challenges by helping entrepreneurs build scalable, AI-enabled professional services firms. Participants will receive mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to industry experts, with up to five founders securing $100,000 in private funding. Programming will take place both virtually and in person in Bentonville.
The accelerator is supported by experienced advisers, including Josh Stanley and Dr. Matthew Waller. Stanley, managing director of Fieldbook Studio and co-founder of Teamvvork, has played a key role in launching and growing multiple Arkansas-based companies. Waller, former dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, brings deep expertise in supply chain management and business strategy.
“By combining Arkansas’ retail value chain expertise with cutting-edge AI, Highstep will create scalable services with operational leverage akin to software companies,” Stanley said.
Dr. Waller added, “Highstep is poised to catalyze a new generation of scalable, tech-enabled professional services firms. The next agency success stories are waiting to be written, inspired by the success stories authored by the people in this program.”
Highstep is funded by a grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and supported by the Walton Family Foundation.
For more information contact Michael Paladino at michael@cartwheel.studio.
