📢 Final Call: Register for 1:1 Startup, VC & LP Meetings + April Roy's Tips on Raising Capital from Alternative Sources & Retaining Ownership

May 7, 2024

Hi , and welcome back! We're thrilled to unveil the latest edition of the Startup NWA newsletter, coming at you from the heart of innovation in Northwest Arkansas. Fueled by our mission to uplift our local economy, we are cultivating and supporting initiatives that not only knit our business community closer but also catapult our startups and venture scenes to stellar new heights. 📈

Whether you’re crafting the next big startup, investing in potential unicorns, or playing a crucial role in our dynamic environment, this newsletter has got you covered.

Just as a reminder, we have some exciting investor/startup relationship-building events this week. From fast-paced speed dating to personalized 1:1 startup and investor meetings, we have created environments for true connection and collaboration. Keep reading below for more details on Cortado’s MidCon VC Summit this week (registrations are still open), along with other exciting updates and announcements from this thriving community!

Inside This Issue:

Spotlight on Innovation: Fuel Accelerator + Other Startup Wins
Featured Program: Fuel Accelerator Celebrates Health Tech Cohort
Tech Highlight: Robot Trucks Transform Environmental Services
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
A Founder's Perspective: April Roy

HighTag 🏅

Graduated from the REI's 2024 Embark Program

Fuel for Your Health Accelerator 🎉

Brings eight startups from across the globe to Bentonville

ProPika 🌱

Secured second place in the national EnergyTech University Prize and now headed to Washington, D.C.

VentureWell, Highway Ventures, and Fieldbook Venture Studios 🚀

Launch collaboration to propel advanced mobility in Northwest Arkansas

Xtremis AI expands to 620 acre testing facility ⚡

In the aptly named "Devil's Den Proving Grounds". Xtremis is testing it's tech to improve performance of wireless networks in the most demanding Electromagnetic Spectrum terrain.

Do you have a milestone to celebrate? Email us to be featured. We want to celebrate with you!

EMAIL US

May 7-9

Cortado’s MidCon VC Summit

The annual convergence of the top Midwest VCs, startups, entrepreneurs, tech innovators, and business leaders from the Midwest to connect, share insights, and explore the future of technology and innovation.

FOUNDERS: Don't miss your chance to get up close and personal with active investors! Use the link below to sign up for our founder + investor speed-dating event at the Summit.

INVESTORS TO MEET: Boyd Street | Echo Health Ventures | Flyover Capital | Mercato Partners | Mercury Fund | Perot Jain | RevTech Ventures | And many more...

REGISTER FOR VC: STARTUP INTROS

May 15

1 Million Cups

Where local entrepreneurs gather to share their stories, ideas, and challenges over a cup of coffee.

May 15

Fuel for your Health Demo Day

Enjoy presentations, conversations, and good food + drinks with the 10 companies in this year’s cohort, all of which are building innovative solutions in healthcare.

AMay 16

Highstep: NWA CEO/Founder Session

Join Northwest Arkansas-based CEOs / Founders of agencies or professional services to discuss the vision of Highstep, and how this group will work together to create value.

May 29

NWA TechFest - Social Meetup

Giving NWA STEM professionals the opportunity to meet, learn, and grow with one another to create a more connected community.

May 30

Fieldbook Studio Launch Party

Join High Alpha Innovation, Cartwheel Startup Studio, VentureWell, Walton Family Foundation, and the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) as they celebrate the launch of their new venture studio. Fieldbook is investing in entrepreneurs and creating advantaged startups that drive economic impact in our state.

A Chat with FemPAQ’s April Roy: Finding Funding the Unconventional Way

Dive into the unconventional funding journey of April Roy and her startup FemPAQ, as she bypasses traditional VC hurdles to forge a partnership that aligns with her mission for women’s health. April’s strategic choices and resilience led to innovative funding solutions that kept her in the driver’s seat.

Her story includes:
👣 Stepping Away from Traditional VC
🔍 Finding the Right Partners
🛤️ Perks of Picking the Path Less Traveled
💡 Lessons Learned from a Founder's Perspective

April Roy (FemPAQ)

READ APRIL'S FULL STORY

✏️ A special note to our startups: We're eager to support your journey—whether it's connecting with customers, accessing vital resources, or scaling your operations in NWA. Drop us a line to tell us about your upcoming raise or if there are customer connections that we can assist with. We’re here to help!

Startup NWA is part of the Northwest Arkansas Council—a private, nonprofit organization working to advance job opportunities, talent recruitment, physical infrastructure, health care, and quality of life.