Right to Start will host a Northwest Arkansas summit on entrepreneurship

Kansas City, Mo.-based Right to Start, a national nonprofit to advance entrepreneurship, is hosting a Northwest Arkansas summit on Aug. 22.

The “Celebration of Entrepreneurship” will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Momentary in Bentonville. The event is free and open to entrepreneurs, policymakers and other entrepreneurship supporters.

Registration and more information are available at this link.

According to a news release, the event will highlight the work of Arkansas entrepreneurs, unveil new data about the region and showcase policy-in-action.

“It will be a unique hands-on event, where every attendee will be an active contributor and collaborator,” the release said. “Together, participants will develop a set of future actions to remove barriers and expand entrepreneurial opportunity for Arkansans.”

Representatives from the following organizations are scheduled to participate:

• Arkansas Coalition of the Marshallese
• Arkansas Economic Development Commission
• Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce
• Black-Owned Northwest Arkansas
• Conexión de Negocios Latinos
• Curate
• Downtown Springdale Alliance
• E for All (NWA)
• Forge
• Kiva US Northwest Arkansas
• Nexxt
• Rejoicy
• Rogers Lowell Chamber
• University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Woman Run (a Wright, Lindsey Jennings Initiative)

Speakers in a session on public policy will include:

• State Sen. Breanne Davis (R-Russellville)
• State Rep. Denise Garner (D-Fayetteville)
• State Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-Knoxville)
• State Rep. Jay Richardson (D-Fort Smith)
• Bentonville Mayor Stephanie Orman

The event will also feature a lunchtime marketplace of local artisans, music including the Marshallese dancers “Oceanwave,” an aerial performer and other performances.

Right to Start launched its entrepreneurship initiative in Northwest Arkansas two years ago and has six part-time advocates in the region.