Startup Junkie Consulting has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of unprecedented statewide and global impact. From launching new programs to expanding entrepreneurial support into every corner of Arkansas and beyond, 2025 marked one of the organization’s most ambitious years to date.
In northwest Arkansas, Startup Junkie expanded support across the region with 904 consulting meetings, 105 events, and 8,066 event attendees, all while maintaining a standout 97.1 NPS from client companies spanning advanced manufacturing, consumer goods, biotech and tech-enabled ventures.
In central Arkansas, the Conductor team deepened local impact with 515 consulting meetings, a 92.6 NPS, and nearly 800 attendees across 21 workshops, trainings, and community events. The Arnold Innovation Center (AIC), a coworking space exclusively for small business owners and entrepreneurs, continued its rapid growth. The AIC reached 184 members, hosted 15 member events, and cultivated a collaborative, founder-focused environment that members consistently described as “life-changing” and “transformational.”
Programs designed to strengthen Arkansas’ economic future also achieved major milestones. ARise, a statewide program serving tech and tech-enabled founders, supported 150+ companies across the state, including 139 officially enrolled startups. The program delivered 715 consulting sessions, facilitated 584 strategic referrals, and engaged 3,500+ Arkansans through events and outreach, helping founders access customers, capital, and expert support.
75Strong, a three-year entrepreneurial development initiative launched at the 2025 ESO Summit, united 66 economic developers, chamber executives, community leaders, and university partners from 43 counties across the state. Through advanced training and guided community visits across 12 cities, the program equipped local leaders with tools to build entrepreneurial capacity and strengthen regional strategies.
“2025 set a powerful foundation for the future. The partnerships we strengthened both locally and globally, the founders we supported, and the communities we worked with all contributed to a year of real momentum. As we look to 2026, we’re committed to building on this progress and continuing to create opportunities for innovators across Arkansas,” said Jeff Amerine, founder and managing director of Startup Junkie.
On the innovation front, the Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster (LRIC) advanced U.S. energy competitiveness by onboarding 93 ventures, supporting 31 advanced SMEs, and hosting 227 consulting meetings across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, strengthening the nation’s lithium value chain and driving collaboration in the rapidly growing energy sector.
The work doesn’t stop at the Arkansas border; Startup Junkie’s initiatives in Korea delivered four global cohorts, supporting 38 startups from the U.S., Korea, Indonesia and Singapore. Participating companies reported 2.2x average employment growth and strong projected revenue increases, underscoring the global reach and impact of Startup Junkie’s programs.
Beyond the metrics, 2025 was a year defined by stories of transformation. Founders who once questioned whether their ideas could become viable businesses found clarity, confidence, and community. Rural leaders gained new tools to revitalize their local economies. Small business owners discovered collaborative spaces where they felt supported, understood, and empowered to grow.
To explore the full scope of Startup Junkie Consulting’s impact, including data, stories and program highlights, read the full 2025 Annual Report at www.arconductor.org/about/. The report celebrates the entrepreneurs and partners who made this year extraordinary and reflects the momentum driving Arkansas toward a stronger, more innovative future.
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