MISSION:
Startup Junkie Foundation educates, inspires and supports entrepreneurs and innovators through no-cost, no-equity consulting; events, workshops and accelerator programs; and access to capital and talent. Founded in 2015 in Fayetteville, the 501(c)(3) organization believes entrepreneurship has the power to transform communities and that a founder’s access to guidance, networks, and capital should never depend on ability to pay. Every service the foundation provides to northwest Arkansas entrepreneurs is permanently free.
The foundation’s work spans three pillars. One-on-one consulting reaches more than 460 northwest Arkansas founders and small business owners each year. The Fuel Accelerator, launched in 2018, connects growth-stage technology startups with enterprise customers and investors. Kiva NWA, launched in 2019, provides community-backed microloans with 0% interest to entrepreneurs traditionally excluded from bank financing. Alongside these programs, Startup Junkie Foundation hosts more than 100 no-cost events, workshops and meet-ups annually and operates free coworking and meeting space in downtown Fayetteville.
Its goal is a northwest Arkansas where any resident with an idea can build a business — regardless of ZIP code, background or balance sheet — and where the region is recognized nationally as one of the best places in America to start and grow a company.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES:
- Sponsor a lunch and learn, program or event reaching hundreds of local entrepreneurs.
- Support next year’s Startup Crawl — sponsorships range from $1,000 to $25,000.
- Help match Kiva NWA microloans, unlocking 0% interest capital for local entrepreneurs.
- Sponsor the Startup Junkies Podcast or newsletter.
- Non-monetary: mentor a founder or host a workshop.
FUNDRAISERS AND EVENTS:
- Startup Crawl — every fall, downtown Fayetteville Square; sponsorships available
- Fuel Accelerator Demo Days — twice yearly in northwest Arkansas, showcasing cohort startups to investors and enterprise partners
- 100+ free workshops, meetups and happy hours year-round
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Mentor a Fuel Accelerator startup
- Fund a Kiva NWA borrower
- Volunteer at Startup Crawl
OUR IMPACT:
- $260 million+ in capital raised by Fuel Accelerator companies across 11 cohorts since 2018
- $2 million deployed through nearly 200 zero-interest Kiva NWA microloans since 2019
- 800+ Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurs served one-on-one at no cost every year
- 150+ free events annually, reaching more than 7,000 attendees
- 12 company headquarters relocated to Arkansas and 200+ Arkansas jobs created
FUNDING SOURCES:
- Private Foundation Grants: 50%
- State Grants & Contracts: 30%
- Federal Grants: 10%
- Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships: 10%
1 E. Center St., Ste. 270
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479.310.6261 | startupjunkie.org | Facebook | Instagram | X
Established: 2015
Employees: 8
Service Area: Northwest Arkansas and the broader Ozarks region, statewide Arkansas
Young Professionals Group: Arkansas Outdoor Society
Leadership
Executive Director: Caleb Talley
Board of Directors:
Calvin Smith, Board Chair
Ronnie Brewer
Amy Callahan
Dan Sanker
Cynthia Sides
The 2026/2027 Arkansas Giving Guide is presented by Wright Lindsey Jennings. Click here to read a letter from our sponsors.