Little Rock, Arkansas – Small business owners across central Arkansas will have a new opportunity to strengthen their companies as The Venture Center and the Little Rock Regional Chamber begin accepting applications for the eighth cohort of the Spark! pre-accelerator program.
The 10-week program is designed to help early-stage businesses improve operations, increase revenue, and build a stronger foundation for long-term growth. Organizers say Spark! provides entrepreneurs with practical tools, guidance, and connections that can help them overcome common challenges while developing their businesses.
The upcoming Spark! cohort will run from Sept. 29 through Dec. 8, with weekly sessions held on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. The evening schedule was created to make participation easier for business owners who may have daytime work responsibilities or other commitments.
Applications for the program will remain open until Sept. 4. Organizers said up to 10 businesses will be selected to participate in the next cohort.
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To qualify, applicants must be founders of businesses located in central Arkansas. Businesses can be operated either full-time or part-time, but they must have been in operation for one to five years and generate between $25,000 and $100,000 in annual revenue.
Selected participants will receive several benefits throughout the program, including a three-month in-kind membership to The Venture Center. Entrepreneurs will also gain access to the organization’s mentor network, business resources, and opportunities to connect with other founders. At the end of the program, participants will have the chance to present their companies during a public showcase.
Since launching in 2019, Spark! has supported more than 60 Arkansas small businesses through mentorship, business training, and connections to local resources. Program leaders say the goal is to help entrepreneurs move beyond the early stages of business ownership and prepare for future success.
“Through practical education, meaningful mentorship, and a supportive community, founders gain the tools and confidence to take their next step,” The Venture Center Vice President of Programs and Operations Ashley Jones said.
Past participants say the program has provided valuable lessons that helped them improve their businesses. In 2025, MADM Media + Marketing founder and CEO Matthew Martin took part in Spark! and said the experience helped him rethink his approach to running his company.
Following the program’s training and guidance, Martin said he secured new client contracts that are expected to double the company’s annual revenue. He credited Spark! with helping him become more focused and strategic as a business owner.
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“Participating in the Spark! program was a turning point for me as a business owner,” Martin said. “It challenged me to narrow my focus, think more strategically, and stop trying to be everything to everyone.”
Organizers say the program is intended for entrepreneurs who are ready to take the next step and improve how they operate their businesses. Through education, mentorship, and community support, Spark! aims to give founders the knowledge and confidence needed to continue growing.
Business owners interested in applying for the eighth cohort can submit their applications online at VentureCenter.co/Spark. The program represents another effort by local business organizations to support entrepreneurship and strengthen the small business community throughout central Arkansas.
