Startup Talk: Hark! Who Are These Guys?

Editor’s note: Each Thursday, Talk Business & Politics provides “Startup Talk,” a round-up of startup, technology and entrepreneurial news in our email newsletter, which you can sign up to receive daily for free here.

HARK! WHO ARE THESE GUYS?
A foursome of high-energy creative entrepreneurs are partnering for a new web-based video series that aims to showcase Arkansas’ startup and creative community.

Tim Freeman, Nicholas Norfolk, Lukas Deem and Ryan Guinee announced the launch of Hark, which will entail conversations and interviews with members of some of the creative forces in the state’s startup scene. The digital forum also hopes to extend idea generation and sharing.

Through one-on-one interviews and small group discussions, Hark plans to offer casual conversations on design, development, financing, collaboration, mentorship, and a host of other topics impacting entrepreneurs. Mugs Cafe in downtown Argenta will be the setting for the online video series.

“Hark will create content not only relevant to entrepreneurs and creatives in Arkansas, but outside of the state as well,” said Freeman, who developed the idea for the concept with Norfolk in late 2014. “We believe this concept can actually move the needle on economic development for the state. Viewers outside of Arkansas may be surprised at the level of talent here, as well as the size of the community.”

The team plans to evolve the concept into a live and interactive web broadcast and public event later in 2015. Catch the video trailer below.

CONWAY JOB ANNOUNCEMENT TO BRING GOOD NEWS FOR TECH COMMUNITY
Conway officials will be joined by the Governor for a job creation announcement on Thursday morning. The event will take place on the northwest Corner of Oak and Front Streets in the Centennial Bank parking lot. Expect the news to have a positive ripple effect for Arkansas’ technology community. TB&P will report more details later this morning.

IRON YARD COMING TO CENTRAL ARKANSAS
The Iron Yard, a coding school with a national reputation, is opening shop in Central Arkansas. The Ark Challenge, Gravity Ventures and Innovate Arkansas are supporting the Little Rock launch.

The Iron Yard originated in Greenville, South Carolina, and specializes in advanced education in software application development, web design, coding and engineering. They partner with accelerators and co-working spaces to assist with people and their ideas. In many cities, The Iron Yard helps train entry-level coders and helps them find employment with startups or existing tech companies in the area. Read more here.

STARTUPS TO WATCH: OH BABY, OVERWATCH, PICASOLAR SET ON PRODUCT LAUNCHES
For three local startup ventures — Oh Baby Foods, Overwatch and PicaSolar – there is a great deal of work and opportunity around product launches in 2015. The company founders report optimistic outlooks despite challenges around their business ventures. Read the story of what’s on tap from all three firms at this link.

BUSINESS PLANS CREATE STUDENT ENTREPRENEURIAL INTEREST
Dr. Shane Hunt, dean of the ASU College of Business, said college officials began working last fall on a plan to teach freshmen the inner workings of a business plan. The new dean thinks including this experience should be an early part of every business student’s curriculum. The upcoming Governor’s Cup business plan competition offers an early opportunity for this effort. Read more on Hunt’s philosophy and its results here.