More than 30 venture capital firms will come to Northwest Arkansas this spring to meet with founders seeking capital to grow and scale. Together, these firms manage more than $7 billion in assets.
Onward FX returns April 20 and 21 in Bentonville to connect founders with venture capital. Founders nationwide can apply through midnight Feb. 23 for one-on-one investor conversations. Link here to apply. All applicants are added to a venture deal database shared with more than 200 investors nationwide.
Participating venture capital firms include investors with experience across health, retail, industrial and technology, including Legendary Ventures, Precursor Ventures, Hustle Fund, MaC Venture Capital, Upfront Ventures, Mercury, Ingeborg, Flyover Capital, S3 Ventures, Run Ventures, Perot Jain and Wildwood Ventures.
The program, led by the Northwest Arkansas Council in partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, supports early-stage founders as part of a broader effort to strengthen the state’s innovation economy and attract venture capital to Arkansas. Bringing venture capital firms to Arkansas expands access to early-stage capital and creates a more efficient path for founders seeking investment.
Onward FX launched in 2024 and has facilitated more than 500 founder-investor meetings, including hundreds involving Arkansas-based startups and investors. More than 1 in 4 participating companies have secured a term sheet. More than $22 million in investment capital has been raised by participating companies.
The program has also supported conversations about company expansion and relocation, with several startups choosing to establish or expand their presence in Arkansas.
“Onward FX illustrates that Arkansas is the front door to the Heartland for venture capital, a place where founders can build and scale,” said Serafina Lalany, executive director of Startup NWA, the Northwest Arkansas Council’s entrepreneurship program. “The program creates space for focused, substantive conversations between founders and venture investors.”
“Entrepreneurs in Arkansas are creating jobs and growing our state’s economy with innovative new businesses and ideas,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “AEDC is committed to supporting entrepreneurs, and programs like Onward FX are helping company founders connect with investors to scale their businesses.”
Additional details on public sessions, speakers and programs will be announced in the coming weeks.
