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From kindergarteners to high schoolers, upcoming programs prove that there is no age limit on becoming an entrepreneur in Northwest Arkansas.

LEMONADE DAY

"Go out and support these young entrepreneurs! They’ve worked hard to accomplish what they have and have learned great values along the way."

Michael IsemanChief Relationship Officer, Startup Junkie

It all starts on Saturday, May 4th! Kidpreneurs from Fayetteville to Bentonville to Siloam Springs will take to the streets, pop-up their lemonade stands, and open for a day of business.

Lemonade Day is a free, fun, experiential learning program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their own business – a lemonade stand. It began in, Texas in 2007. Since then it has grown from 2,700 kids to 120,000 kids in 31 cities across America and Canada in 2011 – including Northwest Arkansas.

Students design their product and stand; select a location; borrow startup capital; determine a price; payoff their loan; and create their marketing – all in hopes of making some cash. Profits often support a charitable organization as well as reward the students for their entrepreneurial spirit.

Participating schools have been mentored by Leadership Walton students from the Sam M. Walton College of Business or participated in the Lemonopolis game to teach basic business principles. Over 700 students have already completed the Lemonopolis Lemonade Day curriculum. The Boys and Girls Clubs and other afterschool programs will also operate stands this weekend.

Lemonade Day in Northwest Arkansas is a program of Startup Junkie Foundation and sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation, The Walmart Museum and B-Unlimited.

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HS Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 2019

This High School Entrepreneurship summer camp is a week-long camp (June 3rd-7th) to engage and empower high school students (those recently completing 8th-12th grades during the 2018-2019 school year) by teaching them how to start and run a business. Students learn through interaction and experiences shared from inspiring local businesses and successful startup founders from around NW Arkansas. Students apply what they learn through a team pitch competition at the end of the week for the opportunity to take home a cash prize of $500!

Students are selected through our online application process and will be notified of selection. This camp is free to all participants and lunches are provided the Monday through Thursday of the week of the camp. Spots are limited so apply early.

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Young Entrepreneurs Academy

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is an innovative, experiential program being offered by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce that transforms local middle and high school students into confident entrepreneurs.

Through this summer program, students in grades 6-12 have the chance to:

  • Develop hands-on entrepreneurial experience to launch their own business or social movement
  • Connect with local entrepreneurs
  • Pitch to a panel of investors for startup funding
  • Gain confidence in their ideas, abilities and presentation skills

No business experience is needed – just creativity, enthusiasm, dedication and lots of effort. Applications are due by May 15th. Student orientation will be held on May 20th. The summer 2019 program will start on Monday, June 3rd through Friday, August 3rd, with orientation scheduled for Monday, May 20th.

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Northwest Arkansas: Cultivating the next generation of job creators.