Announcing the Smart Growth Accelerator

For Small Arkansas Companies Ready to Scale Up

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas companies looking to move from the startup phase into scale-up mode are invited to apply for the 2023 Smart Growth Accelerator.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will offer the month-long, fully virtual program beginning June 7.

Smart Growth is open to businesses that meet these criteria:

• Located in Arkansas

• Open at least a year but fewer than five years

• Has at least one employee other than the owner/ceo

• Organized as a for-profit small business

Over the four weeks, the accelerator will cover business growth planning, marketing, financial management, and financing for growth/ expansion. A cohort of participating companies will attend weekly online workshops and receive individualized guidance with creating and implementing their own customized Strategic Growth Plan.

“We are eager to support CEOS through the challenges of scaling their businesses. The Smart Growth Accelerator will help them uncover opportunities and reduce risks in this important phase of growth, as they gain insights from the ASBTDC team, guest experts and peers,” said ASBTDC’S state director, Laura Fine.

To provide the best learning experience, the Smart Growth cohort is limited to 15 companies. If selected, companies will pay an $80 registration fee to accept a place in the accelerator.

Success Leads to Statewide Expansion

ASBTDC is expanding Smart Growth statewide in partnership with Arkansas Capital Corporation, after a successful three-year pilot in three counties in Northeast Arkansas.

Marcos Sierra, owner of Sierra Group Roofing & Solar in Blytheville, praised the Smart Growth experience.

“This training allowed me to conduct a firsthand examination of my business operations and focus on areas that needed improvement,” he said. “We have shattered every growth plan and goal. With strategic hires, systems and processes in place, we are moving to a new building three times the size of our current one due to our growth. The Strategic Growth Plan was also instrumental in accessing the capital market for financing our business and expansion.”

The application period for the 2023 cohort closes May 1. To apply, visit asbtdc.org/ smart-growth.

Today’s announcement of the accelerator coincides with national SBDC Day, which highlights the accomplishments and services of America’s Small Business Development Centers.

For more information, contact the center’s Whitney Horton at wahorton@ualr.edu or (501) 916-6712.