The Bentonville innovation ecosystem starts with K-12 STEM and STEAM learning opportunities ranging from after-school and summer programs, science centers and museums, to experiential learning opportunities in high school, such as Ignite Professional Studies.

At every step, University of Arkansas students, faculty, and staff collaborate with these innovation ecosystem partners to facilitate and promote equitable opportunities that are inviting, relevant, responsive, and intellectually engaging to all learners.

Bentonville is now powered by IDEALS.

Inclusion | Diversity | Equity | Access | Leadership Development | Strategic Supports

IDEALS is a training, consultancy and research institute dedicated to creating diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces and communities. We take a systems-approach to mapping our client’s DEI path to ensure top-down commitment, bottom-up buy-in, and across the board learning and support. Backed by a leading public university, we insist on reliable data and leading-edge research to guide our work. The institute works with system leaders and employers representing organizations of all sizes, sectors and industries, including for-profit corporations, nonprofits, educational institutions, as well as municipal governments and public agencies.

To learn more about the IDEALS Institute, visit ideals.uark.edu

The Collaborative also included the Bentonville office of the Sustainability Consortium (TSC). TSC is a global non-profit organization transforming the consumer goods industry to deliver more sustainable consumer products. We work to enable a world where people can lead fulfilled lives in a way that decouples their impacts on people and the planet. Our members and partners include manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, service providers, NGOs, civil society organizations, governmental agencies and academics. TSC convenes our diverse stakeholders to work collaboratively to build science-based decision tools and solutions that address sustainability issues that are materially important throughout a product’s supply chain and lifecycle. TSC also offers a portfolio of services to help drive effective improvement and implementation.

To learn more about the Sustainability Consortium, visit sustainabilityconsortium.org

Bentonville is an amazing place to start a business. Collectively, the Collaborative and our entrepreneurial ecosystem partners activate and organize a supportive business community to better serve and champion each other.

Entrepreneurial programs and resources in Bentonville:

• Greenhouse Business Incubator
• Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP)
• 1 Million Cups - Bentonville
• WeWork Labs
• Fuel Accelerator – AI and machine learning accelerator
• Plug & Play – Bentonville – supply chain and logistics accelerator
• Cartwheel - B2B SaaS startup studio

Entrepreneurial programs and resources in Northwest Arkansas:

The U. of A. Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio and Startup Village, we provide free workshops and programs – including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions, and startup coaching. We offer on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.

• Workshops & Events
• Social Innovation
• McMillion Studio Design Teams
• Seed Funding
• Heartland Challenge
• Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship
• Venture Internships
• Expert Advice
• Technology Innovation

The University of Arkansas Office of Economic Development works to expand economic opportunity and prosperity in Arkansas through talent development, innovative research and technologies, community service, and place-making strategies. As the state’s flagship university and a land-grant institution, the University of Arkansas is committed to engaging, collaborating and providing outreach to the residents, businesses, and governmental and civic entities of the state to make sustained advances in economic capacity and quality of place.

To learn more about the Office of Economic Development, visit economicdevelopment.uark.edu