Veteran entrepreneurs and their spouses are eligible to apply for the third-annual Veteran-Owned Small Business Accelerator, which will kick off in early 2026 at The Venture Center in Little Rock.
Created by The Venture Center in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Arkansas District Office, this year’s program has a renewed focus on increasing participation from veterans in northwest Arkansas.
The program is working to connect veteran-owned companies with the tools and networks they need to scale their businesses.
“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 partnership at The Venture Center. “This accelerator provides a proven framework of dedicated support and skills, helping veteran founders build successful, lasting businesses.”
Veterans selected for the program will engage with a curriculum that covers topics ranging from business strategy and marketing to finance and growth planning. The program will end with a showcase event where participants can present their business ideas to potential investors, mentors and partners.
Dr. Lupita Roy, a cohort alumna and founder of Effective Organization Management Consultant, said her partnership with the Venture Center and SBA has been “a game-changer.”
“Thanks to the vast network of affluent stakeholders in Arkansas and the exceptional resources provided, our organization’s client portfolio has grown by an impressive 30 percent in under a year,” she said.
Northwest Arkansas Sheet Metal owner and operator Ben Lowry is also a graduate of the program. Lowry’s company has now secured more than $300,000 in contracts since 2025.
“I’d recommend applying to this cohort to any veteran who owns a small business,” he said. “It is almost a guarantee that you will graduate the program with something of value.”
For more information and to apply, visit The Venture Center’s website.
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