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

U.S. Small Business Administration $125,000 grant extends ASBTDC’s services for high-tech entrepreneurs

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 19:28:08 +0000

The (ASBTDC) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $125,000 grant to assist women-owned, rural, and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded the competitive funding as part of the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. FAST’s objective is to improve outcomes for underrepresented entrepreneurs in SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs.�� ASBTDC is one of 24 grant recipients, which include state and local economic development entities, Small Business and Technology Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers incubators, accelerators, colleges, and universities that provide support to small businesses developing and commercializing high-risk technologies.�� “FAST partners support an important role in attempting to fill various gaps that R&D-focused small businesses may have to help them win SBIR/STTR awards,” Acting Administrator Christopher Pilkerton said. “They focus on the needs of next-generation high-tech firms and support them through the entire cycle from ideation to commercialization. SBIR funding is one way to do that. Additionally, a number of these awards are going to partners that are located in Opportunity Zones where job creation and investments are moving forward to revitalize communities.” 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.

Laura Fine

“We are excited to continue our FAST project,” Fine said. “The SBIR/STTR program provides critical funding to small businesses pursuing commercialization of new technologies. ASBTDC is eager to provide Arkansas’ small businesses with the education, tools, and support to win these competitive funding awards and grow their companies. Rebecca Todd and Martial Trigeaud in our center have the knowledge and experience to support Arkansas companies in navigating the SBIR/STTR proposal writing and submission process.”�� ASBTDC will use the funds to provide SBIR/STTR education through one-on-one mentoring and agency-specific webinars. The center will also hold a multi-week accelerator program that will actively engage innovators in the vetting of their own ideas and preparing SBIR/STTR proposals. The accelerator is for companies who have not previously won SBIR/STTR funding and will have separate cohorts focusing on the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. To encourage participation in SBIR/STTR by companies owned by women, ASBTDC will build on the success of last year’s “accelHERate” programs with additional outreach and TED-style events focused on women entrepreneurs.�� FAST provides specialized training, outreach, mentoring, and technical assistance for R&D-focused small businesses. The program provides one-year funding to organizations to execute state and regional programs that support potential SBIR applicants and awardees. The FAST award project and budget periods are for a base period of 12 months, beginning Sept. 30, 2019.�� 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.

Local entrepreneurs to share stories at Startup Small Talk event downtown

Janea Snyder — Fri, 03 May 2019 16:33:05 +0000

Anyone considering starting a business can hear first-hand about the life of a small business owner at Startup Small Talk, a free event on May 7 at 6 p.m. at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave. ��The and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business are presenting the session in conjunction with National Small Business Week.�� Prospective and current small business owners are invited to bring business cards and network before local entrepreneurs Jesse Steelman of and Matcha Norwood of share their inspiring startup stories. Their TED-style talks will offer advice for aspiring business owners, including how to find success through failure. Spec Ops opened in September at Little Rock’s Shackleford Crossings Shopping Center. Gamers can play the most popular��computer and video games��in comfort, enjoy the fun and competition of playing with friends, and meet other gamers in a safe setting. Also based in Little Rock, Cinnalightful is a wholesale gourmet bakery that makes scratch-made desserts and pastries for restaurants, coffee shops, and corporate clients.�� Startup Small Talk is offered free of charge thanks to a Portable Assistance grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. While there is no cost to attend, pre-registration is required. Register online at or call (501) 683-7095. Based at ��Vlog��ý 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. Learn more at .

Center Helps Arkansas Small Businesses Ring Up More Than $300 Million in Sales Last Year

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 17:53:54 +0000

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

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 13:07:16 +0000

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.

National Small Business Innovation Road Tour Coming to Little Rock to Promote $2.5B in Early-Stage Funding

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 13:42:34 +0000

The 2018 national SBIR Road Tour will stop in Little Rock April 18. Organized by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the 18-state tour is an opportunity for Arkansas entrepreneurs with next-generation ideas to connect with the largest source of early-stage funding, the Small Business Innovation Research program.�� Through SBIR and its sister program, Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), federal agencies award $2.5 billion annually to small companies developing groundbreaking technologies. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will host the Road Tour stop at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “We are dedicated to supporting America’s entrepreneurs wherever they are. American innovation is not restricted by geographic or cultural boundaries,” said SBA Administrator Linda McMahon. “This tour reflects our commitment to ensuring that these innovators are aware of the resources that can help them turn a big idea into another great American innovation story.” Program managers from nine federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation, will meet one-on-one with attendees and share insights into how their agencies make funding decisions. The SBIR/STTR programs award more than 4,000 new grants and contracts per year. The funding has helped U.S. innovators advance new technologies and create thousands of jobs, according to SBA. The agencies fund a wide variety of innovations in health, cybersecurity, advanced materials, unmanned systems and more. The Road Tour looks to increase SBIR and STTR participation by women, small companies in underrepresented states like Arkansas and individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Small technology firms, entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers are encouraged to attend. Participants can also learn about state-specific resources for innovation-based ventures during the afternoon session. Lunch will be provided. There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is required and available online. To learn more, visit or contact the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at 501-683-7700.

Workshops to look at starting a food business, farmers market booth

Janea Snyder — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 13:00:35 +0000

The will present “The ABCs of Starting a Food Business” and “Running a Great Farmers Market Booth” on March 15 at in Little Rock. Local foods advocate and small business owner Martin Butts of Daytona, Fla., will lead both workshops. Butts brings 15 years of food entrepreneurship experience and a passion for local foods to the table. He owns and operates Small Potatoes, a consulting firm that specializes in working with small-scale and startup food businesses of all types. “The ABCs of Starting a Food Business” will be from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by “Running a Great Farmers Market Booth” from 1-4 p.m. The workshops are free, but pre-registration is required.

�� Martin Butts

“The information presented will be practical, actionable and based on real-life experience I’ve had working with producers and farmers,” Butts said. “I want you to walk out with at least one thing that will improve your business that day.” Recommended for anyone wanting to start a restaurant or other food-based business, launch a food product or grow a home-based operation, the morning “ABCs” session will focus on the ingredients necessary for a new food or beverage business to thrive. Butts will share his recipe for success, along with tips for launching any type of new food enterprise. Topics will include commercialization, packaging, labeling, pricing strategies, production, and distribution. Just in time for the 2018 season, the afternoon farmers market workshop will offer ideas for a new booth and ways to enhance an established one, whether the product for sale is farm-fresh produce or something completely different. Through hands-on exercises, Butts will demonstrate low-cost techniques for creating an attractive and effective product display. He also will share customer service and selling techniques to help farmers market vendors connect with shoppers and turn them into loyal customers. People can registration or by��or calling the center at (501) 683-7700. Butts says he has worked with “hundreds of stores and at dozens of markets” and wants to share his experience to help prospective, new and veteran “foodpreneurs.” “Sometimes a small bit of insight from someone that’s been there can make a big difference in your approach,” he said. “The most common thing I see people doing wrong is undervaluing their product, specifically, undervaluing their own labor to make and sell the product,” Butts said. “I’ve seen really great products fail because when the time comes for them to scale up, get distribution, hire staff and buy equipment, they can’t do it without dramatically increasing their price. “Price your product with your future growth in mind,” he said. “Small-scale and artisan products aren’t ever going to win a price war with national brands, but the market is willing to pay a premium price for exceptional products. If you’re product is great, people will pay for it. Price it that way from the start.” Butts will return to Little Rock April 27 to lead ASBTDC’s full-day food product boot camp, “Breaking Out in the New Food Economy.” The boot camp will look at maximizing local and direct-to-consumer sales, expanding to new markets, building a brand, running an online store, identifying wholesale partners and developing good relationships within the industry. All three workshops are co-sponsored by Heifer International and the . The events are part of ASBTDC’s effort to boost food and beverage businesses in four central Arkansas counties. The project is funded by a Portable Assistance grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Based at the University of Arkansas at 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. Learn more at Contributing Writer: Gwen Green / Communications Coordinator / Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with SBA 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.

New ‘accelHERate’ event offer startup advice for women

Janea Snyder — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 14:47:52 +0000

Women who are looking to start their own technology-based companies can hear from fellow women excelling in research, innovation and business at “accelHERate,” a free forum presented by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. On March 8, International Women’s Day, the center will hold simultaneous “accelHERate” events in Little Rock at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences BioVentures and in Jonesboro at the Arkansas Biosciences Institute. Both begin at 4:30 p.m. “Since about 80 percent of tech company founders are male, we want to encourage more women to pursue entrepreneurship and view it as a viable career,” said Laura Fine, ASBTDC state director. “We hope women – particularly students in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math – will attend accelHERate and be inspired by what they hear.” Four women will speak at each location and then answer questions. The panelists in Little Rock include the following:

Dr. Amy Hester, co-founder of HD Nursing, LLC and ��Vlog��ýMS director of nursing research and innovation
Alese Johnston Stroud, CEO of Corporate Insight Strategy
Tina McCord, founder and CEO of ZUNI Learning Tree
Erin Bush, CEO of Salusions, LLC

Their talks will touch on lessons learned and advice for budding entrepreneurs. Topics will include management and growth strategies, startup mistakes and how to avoid them, key skills for entrepreneurial success and commercialization funding opportunities through the federal Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, call (501) 683-7700 or visit. The outreach and technical assistance ASBTDC provides to science and technology-based businesses is supported by Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with SBA 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 Shannon Roberts at (501) 683-7700.

$100,000 grant to help food and beverage start-up businesses

Janea Snyder — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 17:35:42 +0000

From restaurants and coffee shops to breweries and bakeries, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is looking to boost food and beverage businesses in four central Arkansas counties this year. The center, based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is offering specialized programming and consulting for food- or beverage-related businesses in Faulkner, Jefferson, Pulaski and White counties in 2018. The project is funded by a $100,000 Portable Assistance grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. “The food-and-beverage sector is a mainstay of our economy that serves residents and tourists. Food, tourism and hospitality go hand-in-hand in central Arkansas,” said Laura Fine, ASBTDC state director. “Our goal is to support new and established small businesses in the industry by giving them tools and skills they can use to reach more customers, increase sales, and create jobs.” Starting in February, ASBTDC will hold a series of events for prospective and current owners of small businesses that grow, make or sell foods or beverages. All are free, though pre-registration is required. The first is The Dish on Feb. 15 at The Joint in North Little Rock. Three local “foodpreneurs” will give short talks and answer questions about how they cater to today’s discerning and demanding consumer. Scheduled to speak are Amy Moorehead of Nexus Coffee and Creative, Jack Sundell of The Root Café, and Collin McReynolds of Crave Fuel. ASBTDC has invited local food advocate Martin Butts to present two half-day workshops and a full-day food product “boot camp” in Little Rock. Butts is owner of Small Potatoes, a boutique consulting firm in Syracuse, N.Y., that specializes in working with small-scale and startup food businesses of all kinds. On March 15, Butts will lead “ABCs of Starting a Food Business” in the morning and “Running a Great Farmers Market Booth” in the afternoon. The boot camp, “Breaking Out in the New Food Economy,” is coming at a later date still to be determined. Lean Canvas workshops will take place April 3 in Little Rock and May 15 in Searcy. The center has customized the canvas – a quick and efficient planning tool for developing a business idea – for startup food or beverage businesses. For more information about any event, contact ASBTDC’s Shannon Roberts @sxroberts@ualr.edu or (501) 683-7700. The center also is looking to work one-on-one with prospective or current business owners who need assistance with getting started, obtaining financing, marketing or expanding a business. Available at no cost, consulting and market research services can be tailored to individual needs. Any food or beverage business in the four-county area can request a customized Market Snapshot which shows key economic and customer indicators for the local area. Call the center at (501) 683-7700 to set up a consulting appointment or request a free Market Snapshot. Contributing Writer: Gwen Green / Communications Coordinator / Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center The ASBTDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with SBA through a partnership with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. The center serves new, existing and innovation-based small businesses across Arkansas. All ASBTDC programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient (LEP) individuals. Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

State Small Business Center offering programs for Arkansans interested in starting businesses

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 17:39:03 +0000

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will offer a free webinar to help potential business owners know if they are ready to own a business.�� The webinar, “Money Smart: Is Owning a Business a Good Fit for You?,” will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. The webinar will be led by Program Specialist Pamela Reed, who will discuss the myths and realities of owning a small business and the critical first steps of self assessment and setting up a plan of action. Pre-registration is required and can be completed by filling out this. Additionally, the center is offering a seminar to help those interested in starting their own business. The talk, will be held from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, in the Reynolds Business Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. The class covers essential startup steps, legal business structures, regulations, licensing, key issues that affect business success, and common pitfalls that entrepreneurs face. Those interested in attending may register by. The cost is $30. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employees, students, and veterans may attend for free. For more information, contact Pamela Reed at 501-683-7700 or pmreed@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 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. The center assists companies at every stage of business development and growth. To learn more, visit asbtdc.org.

Small businesses can learn how to do business with NASA at ASBTDC workshop

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 13:15:49 +0000

Arkansas small businesses can explore opportunities to do business with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at the workshop Thursday, July 20, at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.�� The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, in cooperation with the Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center, is hosting the event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the ��Vlog��ý��Little Rock Reynolds Business Center Atrium. Any company interested in learning about selling goods or services to NASA facilities and their prime contractors may participate. Representatives from Johnson Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Stennis Space Center, and NASA Shared Services will be present to meet one-on-one with business owners. In addition, prime contractors such as Boeing and DXC, formerly Hewlett Packard, also will be on hand. The space agency is working to increase its small business industrial base, according to Troy Miller, small business specialist at the NASA Shared Services Center. “Awards to small business from NASA and our prime partners went from $4.8 billion in the 2013 fiscal year to $5.3 billion in 2016. Since small businesses are critical to the success of NASA’s missions and the heart of the country’s economy, events like these are very important to NASA and the local economies,” said Miller, who is helping organize the Little Rock event. Pre-registration is required and is . See asbtdc.org/nasa-2017. For more information, contact Shannon Roberts at��sxroberts@ualr.edu��or 501-683-7700. 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 Pamela Reed at (501) 683-7700.

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