Apply for 75Strong

Thank you for your interest in 75Strong, A Statewide Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development Program funded by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission! The program is positioned for Arkansas-based Chamber Executives, Economic Developers, Municipal Leaders, Higher Education Representatives, and Entrepreneur Support Organization Representatives interested in growing their professional knowledge on building entrepreneurship within their community. The program will span 2 years and include 3 main components:

Entrepreneurial Development Curriculum

Selected participants will pursue the Entrepreneurial Development Professional (EDP) credential from the International Economic Development Council on a ”cost-share” basis.

Ecosystem-building Consultation

Participants will also complete a facilitated curriculum around ecosystem building in communities, where they will collaborate to create entrepreneurial coalitions and strategic plans for entrepreneurial development at the local level.

Statewide Small Business Development

Participants will then recruit small businesses from their communities in Arkansas’ target industries to complete a business-building curriculum alongside these companies to 1) demonstrate business technical assistance 2) bring resources back to their community.

75Strong is a three-year, statewide program focused on educating, equipping, and deploying economic developers, chamber executives, community leaders, university representatives, and others as entrepreneurial developers to build capacity across Arkansas in those who serve small business owners and startups.

If you’re interested in participating in 75Strong and creating a strategic plan for your community or region to build and foster
entrepreneurship, please complete the application form below.

What makes an ideal candidate?
Preference will be given to:

What makes an ideal candidate? Preference will be given to:

Communities or regions with MULTIPLE applicants, making it easier for participants to collaborate to create entrepreneurial development plans within their communities or regions (for example, applicants from communities where a chamber executive, higher education partner, municipal leader, and community developer all apply). We highly recommend recruiting other applicants from your region or community to apply with you.

Participants from underserved, rural, or under resourced communities or regions.

Individuals who are committed to the program AND willing and capable to deploy an entrepreneurship initiative in their community or region.

Program Participant Commitment:

Attend in person meeting dates as needed - the program will be partially virtual and partially in person (in person dates will be provided in advance)
Complete the EDP curriculum, study, and sit for the EDP exam
Participate in Ecosystem Building curriculum and work within their community to develop a strategic plan for entrepreneurial development
Recruit 3-5 businesses from their community or region to participate in the business building curriculum
Participate in the program for the full 2 years
Provide the $1,500 program deposit, which will be reimbursed in 3 $500 tranches over 3 strategic program milestones (i.e. if you complete the program, you will receive the $1,500 back in full)