Venture Center, SBA launch 3rd year of veteran accelerator

The Venture Center, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Arkansas District Office, is now accepting applications for the third annual Veteran-Owned Small Business Accelerator.

The program will launch in early 2026 and continue to expand its reach, with a renewed focus on increasing participation from veterans and their spouses in Northwest Arkansas. Interested veteran entrepreneurs can apply by visiting venturecenter.co.

This statewide initiative supports Arkansas businesses founded by U.S. military veterans and veteran spouses through targeted mentorship, education, and access to entrepreneurial resources.

“Our partnership with the SBA Arkansas District Office allows us to honor veteran entrepreneurs in a way that produces tangible success, as we’ve already seen with past participants,” said Daniel Schutte, vice president of strategic partnerships at The Venture Center. “This accelerator provides a proven framework of dedicated support and skills, helping veteran founders build successful, lasting businesses.”

Selected participants will have the opportunity to engage in a rigorous curriculum that covers topics ranging from business strategy and marketing to finance and growth planning. The program will culminate in a showcase event where participants can present their business ideas to potential investors, mentors, and partners.

For more information about the Veteran-Owned Small Business Accelerator program and to apply, visit the program’s page at venturecenter.co.