The trends shaping the AI gold rush, NWA founders in Forbes, and $4B headed to Little Rock

Hi friend,

Seed rounds used to mean $2–5M experiments. In 2025, Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia, Founders Fund, General Catalyst, and Greylock are writing early stage checks of $200M, $500M, and even $2B.

I pulled every early-stage deal from these five mega funds this year. The data reveals the 5 trends shaping venture in 2025: where AI capital is actually flowing, which outlier companies are bending the definition of “fundable,” and why the heartland is emerging as a proving ground for energy, health, and manufacturing startups.

👉 Read the full breakdown here

Inside This Issue:

Celebrations
Featured Happenings: Onward FX & Startup Crawl
Upcoming Events and Opportunities

🗞️ Onward FX hits the cover of NWA Business Journal

With $4B in capital headed to Little Rock on Oct. 30, the statewide expansion of Onward FX is headline news, proof that early-stage venture is taking root in the Heartland.

🏂 Hightag kicks off equity crowdfunding campaign

After securing funding from new partners, including REI Co-op, Hightag has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on Republic—enabling even non-accredited investors to participate.

🧵 Upkept scales its repair revolution

Adding new leaders, heavyweight board members, and a relaunched site, the NWA-born company expands its mission to extend the life of beloved clothes everywhere.

🚀 RightMatch AI selected for Morgan Stanley’s exclusive accelerator

Bentonville founder Sterling Smith and team secured a $250K investment and access to one of the world’s top financial networks to reimagine hiring for 100M+ people.

🤖 ROYBI partners with Ice Mobility to scale personalized learning

The Bentonville-based EdTech innovator has teamed up with Verizon’s exclusive distributor to bring innovative learning tools to millions of families nationwide.

💡 Hidalga Tech awarded $300K+ NSF grant

From Arkansas to the nation: founder Joshua Upshaw proves how clinical need, mentorship, and entrepreneurial drive can fuel healthcare innovation with an AI-powered platform to transform oncology care.

🌱 Onward HQ member flourishing in Forbes

Jason Cavnar and team debut a new venture model to scale transformational companies while putting founder well-being first.

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

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Sept 29 & 30

Onward FX | where grit meets opportunity

Over $4B in VC is coming to Little Rock. Onward FX connects national investors with the founders and industries shaping Arkansas. The 1:1 deadline has passed — but there’s still time to join the room.