- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock /news-archive/tag/asbtdc/ ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fri, 01 Nov 2019 12:29:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Job growth 25% higher among businesses assisted by ASBTDC /news-archive/2019/11/01/abstdc-study/ Fri, 01 Nov 2019 12:29:07 +0000 /news/?p=75530 ...]]> Employment growth for ASBTDC clients was 25.2 percent higher than for the average Arkansas business last year. Businesses served by the ASBTDC network in 2017 added an average of 1.7 jobs each in 2018, according to a recently released analysis of the program’s economic impact. The study looked at how businesses assisted in the 2017 calendar year performed in 2018. Clients who received five or more hours of consulting were asked about sales and employment changes and financing obtained, as well as their opinion of ASBTDC services. Businesses responding to the survey said they added 1,757 jobs in 2018 and retained another 912 existing jobs, thanks to the center’s assistance. Sales growth was 31.6 percent higher for client businesses compared to the average business in the state. Clients with established businesses saw an average sales increase of $231,671, while clients who started businesses recorded average sales of $159,422. The study also found that the center helped businesses generate nearly $8.1 million in state tax revenues and $4.4 million in federal tax revenues last year. Clients generated a return on investment of $5.43 for every dollar invested in the ASBTDC program, the study concluded. “Small businesses in all industries across the state turn to us to help them achieve their goals,” said Laura Fine, state director. “We are here to help both startups and existing businesses plan effectively, obtain financing, and increase their sales. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of our services and the contributions our small business clients are making to Arkansas’ economy.” Dr. James J. Chrisman, an independent consultant, authored the study. Chrisman calculated changes in clients’ employment and sales data from the year they received assistance to the following year, then compared the results with the average changes for all Arkansas businesses during the same time period. Unique among the state’s economic development organizations, ASBTDC services are available to businesses from any county in Arkansas, in any industry sector, at any stage of development. The program is funded by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and six other state universities in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.]]> ��Vlog��ý Little Rock business students selected to participate in Rice Business Plan Competition /news-archive/2019/03/12/rice-business-plan-competition/ Tue, 12 Mar 2019 13:07:13 +0000 /news/?p=73687 ...]]> A team of business students from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been selected as one of 42 teams from some of the world’s top universities who will compete for more than $1.5 million in prizes at the April 4-6. The competition has been dubbed as the world’s richest and largest student startup competition with a top prize of a $300,000 investment from the GOOSE Society. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was the only team from Arkansas selected to compete. The “�ղ��ܲ��Ծ��” team is comprised of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students Noah Asher, senior finance and economics major; Abigail Resendiz, senior international business and management major; and Zach Cochran, senior economics major. Martial Trigeaud, a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock adjunct professor and business consultant at the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, is mentoring the team. “We are very excited to be competing in this prestigious new venture competition and to be recognized as one of the top startup teams in the world,” Asher said. The group collaborated with and Baptist Health Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Nurse Anna Helm to commercialize a medical device invented by Chrisman. The device, the “Speed-Torque,” is a medical torque device used by surgeons in minimally invasive heart surgery, also known as interventional cardiology procedures. The teams for this year’s competition were chosen from more than 300 applicants to compete in four categories: life sciences/medical devices/digital health; digital/information technology/mobile; energy/clean technology/sustainability; and other innovations/investment opportunity. More than 210 former competitors have successfully launched their ventures and are still in business today, including 25 startups that have been acquired. Past competitors have raised more than $2.2 billion in capital and created more than 3,000 new jobs. “The true measure of success for the Rice Business Plan Competition is the number of teams that launch, raise funding, and go on to succeed in their business,” said Brad Burke, managing director of the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship at Rice University, host of the event. “The competition has served as the launch pad for a great number of successful entrepreneurial ventures, and the success rate far exceeds the national average.” Community members can show their support for the team by casting their vote in the People’s Choice Competition via Facebook. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s team has already seen success promoting the speed-torque. They won second place and a $3,000 prize during the Ivey Business Plan Competition in January and will also enter the upcoming Arkansas Governor’s Cup competition. Asher was part of a team of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students who won the undergraduate division of the Arkansas Governor’s Cup and a $25,000 prize last year for their business plan for Spiritum Solutions, a mouth guard designed so that patients undergoing surgery or bronchoscope procedures do not damage their mouths by biting down on the tubes. Additionally, Asher received a $2,000 cash prize for winning the undergraduate elevator pitch competition. He believes that his previous experience, combined with the team’s compelling business strategy, gives them a unique advantage in both competitions and in the marketplace. “While we do have an exciting technology that will greatly benefit both surgeons and patients, we are not trying to change the way minimally invasive heart surgery is done or disrupt the marketplace,” Asher said. “We are instead focused on providing incremental, yet innovative changes that fit within existing surgical techniques, but also drastically improve surgical precision and safety. We believe that this strategy will help to drive our clinical adoption rate and to achieve long-term, sustainable growth that will generate substantial returns for investors. Our acceptance into Rice is a strong validation that investors see value in this strategy and that we are poised for success.” In the upper right photo, a team of business students (Zach Cochran, bottom left, Noah Asher, center, and Abigail Resendiz, bottom right) from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock have been accepted into the Rice Business Plan Competition. The students collaborated with Arkansas Cardiology Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Dwight Christman, back left, Baptist Health Cardiovascular Nurse Anna Helm, center left, and Martial Tregeaud, back right, to commercialize a medical device invented by Chrisman to help cardiologists perform heart surgery with greater safety and efficiency. Photo by Ben Krain.]]> College of Business, ASBTDC Team Up to Bring Entrepreneur and Brand Hysteria Expert to Little Rock /news-archive/2019/02/06/college-of-business-asbtdc-team-up-to-bring-entrepreneur-and-brand-hysteria-expert-to-little-rock/ Wed, 06 Feb 2019 15:32:28 +0000 /news/?p=73304 ...]]> An entrepreneur known for his marketing savvy and cupcake-and-crossbones logo is coming to Little Rock to share his story. Johnny Earle, the founder of apparel and stores, started 16 businesses before he turned 16. From selling T-shirts out of the trunk of his car, he has grown Johnny Cupcakes into a retail empire with devoted fans who have his company logo tattooed on themselves and camp out for new products and store openings. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and the will host two “Johnny Cupcakes: A Blueprint for Brand Loyalty & Global Domination” events featuring Earle on Thursday, Feb. 28. A midday on-campus session geared toward students will be followed by an evening presentation open to the public that is downtown at the Ron Robinson Theatre. The first event is at 12:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Business Center atrium, while the evening talk begins at 6 p.m. Both events are free of charge, though pre-registration is required for the night event. To register, visit . Since being named the country’s #1 Young Entrepreneur by Bloomberg Businessweek and a Top Innovator in Retail by The Boston Globe, Earle has become an in-demand speaker on brand loyalty, marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation, appearing at leading companies and universities including Apple and Harvard. He embraces experiential branding and encourages other entrepreneurs to focus on creating memorable, fun experiences for customers. When he launched Johnny Cupcakes, he decided the best way to stand out in a crowded product category was to offer such a unique brand experience that his customers would loyally line up around the block, time and time again, just to be able to sport his logo on their clothing. From the display cases to the frosting-scented air to the packaging, his T-shirt “bakery” fools customers looking for real cupcakes and delights devoted fans. Dr. Jane Wayland, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of Business and a former marketing professor, thinks Earle’s creative approach to brand building will resonate with students, budding entrepreneurs, and seasoned company leaders alike. “He realizes he is in a very competitive environment and creates his brand through the customer experience and excitement with very little traditional marketing,” she said. “His logo is opposite of what you would expect. Cupcakes and crossbones! It gets your attention.” During his talks, Earle will share his ingredients for success, including the power of details, the value of collaboration, the art of surprise and delight and the importance of rolling with the punches while learning to adapt. “His story is powerful and relatable as he talks about building his brand through trial and error,” said Wayland. “And he’s fun, inspiring, and engaging. We are excited to partner with ASBTDC to provide this opportunity for our campus and our community.” Before and after both events, Johnny Cupcakes merchandise will be available for purchase at an on-site pop-up shop. Full concessions will be on sale in the evening. For more information, contact the dean’s office at 501-569-3356 or cobdean@ualr.edu. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. All programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Pamela Reed at (501) 683-7700.]]> ASBTDC helps small business clients get $90 million in capital funding in 2018 /news-archive/2019/02/06/asbtdc-small-business-clients-capital-funding/ Wed, 06 Feb 2019 14:12:58 +0000 /news/?p=73300 ...]]> Current and prospective small business owners who worked with ASBTDC obtained loans and other capital investment totaling $90,513,828, a record for the program. In addition, ASBTDC helped clients increase sales by $60.9 million, retain 944 existing jobs, and start 132 businesses last year. “We take pride in serving Arkansas entrepreneurs and small business owners, helping them start and grow businesses that in turn strengthen and sustain the state’s economy and communities,” said ASBTDC State Director Laura Fine. “Over the last five years, with our help, our clients have created more than 3,400 jobs and acquired $355 million to invest in their businesses.”]]> ASBTDC plans week of activities to encourage entrepreneurship /news-archive/2018/11/01/global-entrepreneurship-week/ Thu, 01 Nov 2018 13:03:02 +0000 /news/?p=72531 ...]]> Anyone at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock interested in exploring entrepreneurship can turn to the on-campus experts at the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. Part of the College of Business, ASBTDC offers no-cost consulting and market research to budding entrepreneurs, along with a variety of educational events. During Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 12-18, the center will host a slate of free entrepreneurship-focused activities, including Small Talk, an event for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students. is set for 5-7 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Reynolds Business Center atrium. Students are invited to network and have a bite to eat ,then hear from three young entrepreneurs: Mario Settles of Trukplease, Liz Sniegocki of Haven Massage Therapy, and Matthew Young of ListingVillage. The trio will share their startup stories through TED-style talks. The event is a joint effort of ASBTDC and the College of Business. Additional GEW events include:

– Nov. 13, The Centre in University Park. “Startup in a Day” combines three of the center’s most popular seminars, “Starting a Business in Arkansas,” “Writing a Business Plan,” and “Financing Options.”
– Nov. 14, Little Rock Technology Park. The Business Innovations Clinic at the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law will share ways to safeguard inventions, written material, apps, symbols, names, images and other types of intellectual property.
(webinar) – Nov. 14

ASBTDC will kick off its new “Boost Business in Your Community” online series for mayors, county judges, and other local elected officials. The webinar will discuss what communities can do to assist new and potential business owners. All the events are free of charge. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center assists entrepreneurs at every stage of business development and growth. Learn more at . Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups. Through local, national and global activities, GEW inspires people everywhere to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey. Last year, events took place in 167 countries.]]> ASBTDC business consultant honored as State Star /news-archive/2018/10/11/whitney-horton-state-star/ Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:19:43 +0000 /news/?p=72201 ...]]> Horton, a resident of Sherwood, is a business consultant at the ASBTDC Lead Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. With the center since 2009, Horton assists potential and current small business owners with business planning, funding and marketing. Horton earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and Master of Business Administration at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. She is also a graduate of the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas. The State Star award, the highest accolade for SBDC employees, recognizes extraordinary performers who have made significant contributions to their state network and display strong commitment to the state’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. Annually, one person from every state and U.S. territory is selected for the award. Winners were recognized during a special ceremony and reception at the International Spy Museum Sept. 4. With about 1,000 centers across the nation, America’s Small Business Development Center network is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations. It is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run and grow their own businesses. In the upper right photo, Laura Fine (right), ASBTDC state director, congratulates 2018 State Star Whitney Horton (left).]]> Center Helps Arkansas Small Businesses Ring Up More Than $300 Million in Sales Last Year /news-archive/2018/10/02/asbtdc-business-impact/ Tue, 02 Oct 2018 17:53:54 +0000 /news/?p=72067 ...]]> Small businesses are ringing up sales and growing with help from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock-based (ASBTDC).

Businesses served by the ASBTDC network said the counseling they received led to $305.8 million in sales revenue last year, according to a recently released independent analysis of the program’s economic impact. The study analyzed sales and employment changes, financing obtained, and tax revenues generated by clients who received five or more hours of assistance in the 2016 calendar year. A one-year snapshot, the study focused on how the businesses performed in 2017. Sales growth was 14.3 percent higher for client businesses compared to the average Arkansas business. Clients with established businesses saw an average sales increase of $114,093, while clients who started businesses recorded average sales of $355,456. The center’s assistance also led to job growth. Client businesses created 1,542 jobs, increasing employment 5.8 percent more than other businesses. The study also found that assistance from the center helped businesses

Retain 1,228 existing jobs
Generate $8.3 million in state tax revenues and $3.8 million in federal tax revenues
Secure $131.7 million in capital financing

“As this study shows, ASBTDC small business clients are growing their companies, creating and retaining jobs, and accessing capital,” said Laura Fine, ASBTDC state director. “These small businesses are making an impact on Arkansas’ rural and urban communities, leading to a stronger state economy.” For every dollar invested in the ASBTDC program, clients generated a return on investment of $4.56, the study concluded. Dr. James J. Chrisman, an independent consultant, conducted the annual analysis. Chrisman calculated changes in clients’ employment and sales data from the year they received assistance to the following year, then compared the results with the average changes for all Arkansas businesses during the same time period. Unique among the state’s economic development organizations, ASBTDC services are available to businesses from any county in Arkansas, in any industry sector, at any stage of development. The program is funded by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and six other state universities in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

]]> U.S. Small Business Administration grant extends center’s services for high-tech entrepreneurs /news-archive/2018/09/18/asbtdc-grant-2/ Tue, 18 Sep 2018 13:07:16 +0000 /news/?p=71870 ...]]> The (ASBTDC) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $125,000 grant to assist innovative, technology-driven small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded the competitive funding as part of the. ASBTDC is one of, which include state and local economic development entities, Small Business and Technology Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, incubators, accelerators, colleges, and universities that provide support to small businesses developing and commercializing high-risk technologies. FAST is designed to stimulate economic development with outreach, training, mentoring, financial support, and business/technical assistance to small businesses focused on research and development. Fostering participation of women-owned, rural-based, and socially and economically disadvantaged firms to help them compete in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs is a key aim. “SBA is thrilled to work with these organizations to increase the understanding of the SBIR/STTR programs,” said Administrator Linda McMahon. “FAST partners are an important part of the innovation entrepreneur ecosystem. They provide training, financial and technical assistance for small, next-generation technology businesses, and help them navigate federally funded innovation and R&D programs.” The grant will allow the center to provide consulting services to more entrepreneurs seeking funding through SBIR and STTR, said Laura Fine, state director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. Those services include market research and proposal writing assistance. “We look forward to helping more small firms in Arkansas commercialize their innovations,” Fine said. “We will continue to focus on assisting with SBIR and STTR proposal writing to increase the number of awards to Arkansas companies. Rebecca Todd, our innovation consultant, has a solid reputation with clients and federal program managers for helping Arkansas companies submit winning proposals.” To encourage participation in SBIR/STTR by companies owned by women, ASBTDC will build on the success of its 2018 “accelHERate” programs with additional outreach and events geared toward women entrepreneurs. Also, the center is a partner with the 2018 Arkansas Life Science Summit that will be held Oct. 25 in Conway. ASBTDC will also offer additional educational opportunities for innovative Arkansas entrepreneurs and technology-based companies, specifically in the area of intellectual property. SBA coordinates the SBIR/STTR programs, also known as America’s Seed Fund, which each year provides more than $2.5 billion in early-stage seed capital totaling nearly 5,000 awards to small businesses. Eleven participating federal government agencies announce funding opportunities as either grants or contracts to address their research and development needs. Companies supported by the SBIR/STTR programs often generate some of the most important breakthroughs each year in the U.S. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration through a partnership with the and other institutions of higher education. The center assists startups, existing businesses, expanding businesses, and innovation-based businesses statewide.]]> Get Started with the Arkansas Governor’s Cup /news-archive/2018/09/04/get-started-arkansas-governors-cup/ Tue, 04 Sep 2018 16:36:36 +0000 /news/?p=71665 ...]]> The Collegiate Business Plan Competition brings an opportunity for teams of college students to win a grand prize of $25,000 while exploring their flare for entrepreneurship. The, based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will host a free “Get Started with Governor’s Cup” workshop from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, in Ottenheimer Library Room 535 for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students interested in joining the Governor’s Cup competition. Who better to give advice on how to prepare for the 2019 Governor’s Cup than this year’s winners of the undergraduate division who brought home $25,000? Noah Asher, a senior finance and economics major, was a member of Spiritum Solutions, along with team members Nicholas Lester, Kiauna Rome, and Ingrid Helgestad. Stuart McLendon, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock adjunct professor, served as team sponsor of Spiritum Solutions. In addition to the team’s grand prize, McLendon received $2,000 as team sponsor, and Asher received a $2,000 cash prize for winning the undergraduate elevator pitch competition. At the workshop, Asher, McLendon, and ASBTDC will share advice on how to form a strong Governor’s Cup team, how to write a robust business plan, and how to pitch successfully in front of judges. For more information, contact Martial Trigeaud at mxtrigeaud@ualr.edu.]]> ASBTDC to offer free business start-up workshops /news-archive/2018/08/21/business-startup-workshops/ Tue, 21 Aug 2018 16:12:55 +0000 /news/?p=71532 ...]]> This fall, aspiring central Arkansas entrepreneurs can take advantage of free business startup workshops presented by the in partnership with the City of Little Rock. The center, based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will offer five sessions at different city facilities around town. Anyone interested in starting a business is invited to attend. The following events are free of charge, but pre-registration is required. Register online at or call 501-683-7700. Is Starting a Business Right for You? The workshop acquaints prospective business owners with the startup process and the entrepreneurial lifestyle. The hour-long conversation also covers what starting and operating a business requires and tips to help participants decide if they are ready to move forward with their idea.

Oct. 3, 6-7 p.m., , 13700 Cantrell Road, Little Rock
Oct. 30, 2:30-3:30 p.m., , 4532 John Barrow Road, Little Rock

Empezando un Negocio en Arkansas (Starting a Business in Arkansas in Spanish) • Oct. 9, 2018 Eileen Devereux Dailey, a bilingual business consultant, will teach “Empezando un Negocio en Arkansas” entirely in Spanish. This basic seminar discusses essential startup and planning steps, as well as key issues that affect business success. The workshops will take place 5:30-8 p.m. at , 6401 Baseline Road, Little Rock. Startup in a Day • Nov. 13, 2018 This workshop combines three of ASBTDC’s most popular seminars: “Starting a Business in Arkansas,” “Writing a Business Plan,” and “Financing Options.” In addition to outlining the essential steps to start and finance a new business, participants will learn practical ways to avoid pitfalls that first-time business owners face. In one day, learn how to start your business the right way. The workshop will take place 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St., Little Rock. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center assists entrepreneurs at every stage of business development and growth. Core services include no-cost consulting and market research. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. All programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Shannon Roberts at (501) 683-7700.]]>