Conductor, Arkansas Tech observe Global Entrepreneurship Week

BusinessStartups / Technology

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) November 9, 2017 10:54 am 231 views 

Global Entrepreneurship week is Nov. 13-19, and Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and the Conductor of Conway have announced events in conjunction with the celebration. Each is free and open to the public.

ATU will host a panel discussion on creating a supportive culture for entrepreneurship within a community at 10 a.m. on Nov. 14 in the W.O. Young Building Ballroom at 207 W. O St.

Scheduled panel participants are Russellville Mayor Randy Horton, ATU President Robin Bowen, ATU-Ozark Campus Chancellor Bruce Sikes and Korri Freeman, a 2014 ATU graduate and co-owner of Kaleidoclasm the Gallery and KaleidoKids art classes in Russellville, according to an ATU press release.

The discussion will center on “how social, governmental, economic and educational networks in a community can work together to support a culture that fosters entrepreneurship, encourages new business development and supports small businesses,” according to the release.

More information is available by contacting Tiffany Henry at [email protected] or 479-880-4327.

The Conductor, a partnership between the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and Startup Junkie Consulting of Fayetteville, will host a series of events Nov. 13-18.

Global Entrepreneurship Week Central Arkansas will feature week-long series of workshops, pitch competitions, hands-on STEM activities and panel discussions, according to the Conductor.

In its 10th year, Global Entrepreneurship Week was founded by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and the Kauffman Foundation. It is observed by 170 countries has nearly 10 million participants annually, according to Conductor.

Kim Lane, chief operating officer of the Conductor founded the central Arkansas chapter last year. “Global Entrepreneurship Week is a great way to encourage the community to explore the ideas of business creation and problem-solving in an approachable, no-barriers-to-entry format,” Lane said, in a Conductor press release. “This year’s events address some of the major pain points entrepreneurs face, while also inspiring and catalyzing the next generation of entrepreneurs. We’re excited to offer everything from a digital technology and intellectual property law workshop, to a casual fireside chat with the executive vice president of operations at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, to a Youth Maker Training in UCA’s Makerspace.”

A list of the events follows.

MONDAY [NOV. 13]

  • A discussion on “Government Contracting Step-by-Step” with Wanda May, business opportunity specialist at the Arkansas District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Mary Love, Arkansas government contracting specialist at the Cooperative Extension Service, is set for 8:30 a.m. at the UCA Makerspace on campus.
  • Conway-based Dave Creek Media founder Glenn Crockett will discuss “Sales for Startups” at 11:30 a.m. at the Makerspace.
  • Arkansas Coding Academy Demo Day is set for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the UCA Downtown campus.
  • The event “3D Print Your Own Thanksgiving Cookie Cutter” is set for 5 p.m. at the Makerspace.

TUESDAY [NOV. 14]

  • The High School Startup Day pitch competition will be at noon in the McCastlain Ballroom at UCA. High School Startup Day is a half-day workshop where high school students from around the state work in teams to identify and find potential entrepreneurship-minded solutions for problems they face in high school education, according to the Conductor. They pitch the solutions to a panel of judges. In addition to Conway-area high schools, the event will welcome student teams from Sheridan High School, Cutter Morning Star, eStem High School and the Metropolitan Career Center. UCA students will serve as mentors.
  • The event “Laser Engrave a Thanksgiving Cutting Board” is at 11:30 a.m. at the Makerspace.
  • Youth Maker Training is set for 4 p.m. at Makerspace.

WEDNESDAY [NOV. 15]

  • Game Changers featuring Stoby’s is set for 11:30 a.m. at Makerspace, and Stoby’s food will be provided.

THURSDAY [NOV. 16]

  • The Little Rock-based advertising agency Eric Rob & Isaac will present a panel discussion titled “Marketing for Startups: Learn How to Be Your Own Ad Agency” at 8:30 a.m. at Makerspace.
  • The discussion “Digital Technology & Intellectual Property Law” with Amanda Denton of PPGMR Law of Little Rock is set for 11:30 a.m. at Makerspace.
  • “How to Deliver the Perfect Pitch” will be presented by UCA Prof. Ron Duggins at 1:30 p.m. at the UCA College of Business, Room 315.
  • Startup Grind featuring Amy Fecher, executive vice president of operations at the AEDC in Little Rock will be 5-8 p.m. at the Makerspace.

FRIDAY [NOV. 17]

  • “Minority & Women-Owned Businesses: What to Know and Where to Start,” with Pat Brown, director of minority and women-owned business enterprise at AEDC, is set for 8:30 a.m. at UCA Downtown.
  • “How to Finance Your Startup,” a panel discussion with Jason Culpepper, community president of Simmons Bank in Conway; Kevin Griffin, executive vice president of Exchange Capital in Conway; Kenny Kinley, co-founder of Cadron Creek Capital in Conway; and Herbert Lawrence, lender relations specialist at the SBA Arkansas District Office; is set for 11:30 a.m. at UCA Downtown.
  • A UCA student fashion show and startup exhibition is set for 6-8 p.m. at 1018 Oak St.

SATURDAY [NOV. 18]

  • A pitch competition called IdeaFame Live is set for 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Bear Grounds Tailgate, before the last UCA Bears home football game of the year. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas in 60 seconds or less for a chance to win $2,000 in prizes.