Startup Junkie announces 14 startups in Ozarks initiative effort

Fayetteville-based Startup Junkie Consulting has narrowed the field of applicants to take part in its first ScaleUp Ozarks initiative expected to kickoff Nov. 11.

There are 14 startups in this first cohort which were selected from a field of 40 applicants. The program is funded with grants from the Small Business Administrations’s ScaleUp America campaign which is designed to help small firms with high potential “scale up” and grow their businesses so that they will provide more jobs and have a greater economic impact. This inaugural group is 79% woman, minority, or veteran-owned companies.

“These business leaders will participate in a 16-week intensive program where they will receive entrepreneurship educational curriculum, management assistance and support services, mentorship, increased access to capital, and networking opportunities,” said Haley Cleous, Startup Junkie spokeswoman. “Each company is poised to grow in revenues and job creation for our region.”

The kickoff event will be Nov. 11 where companies will have a chance to network among themselves and the entrepreneurial community at the Hayseed Ventures lecture series.

This is the first group of ScaleUp Ozarks. There will be two groups per year for a potential 5-year initiative with funding provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The following startups are part of this first group:

3c21 Design
Aurora Digital Signage
avad3 Inc.
Bike Rack Brewing Co.
Blogs for Brand
DBSquared
Green Bean Inc.
Kent Walker Artisan Cheese
Kyya Chocolate
Logo-n-Stitch
Make People Better
Pink House Alchemy
VendorMasters
Yeyo’s Mexican Grill