About the Show:
In this episode, we sit down with Bjorn “BK” Simmons, Managing Partner with Venture Noire to discuss the local Startup scene in Northwest Arkansas. Bjorn is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and after raising $2M in capital he wasted no time getting his startup, Wyzerr Inc., off the ground.
We connected with Bjorn after learning about the Big Pitch competition he recently did with the Walton Family Foundation. They pulled together $30,000 for the Virtual Pitch Competition with Entrepreneurs of Color. The event, which took place on June 4th, 2020, was a tremendous success. We got a chance to witness the virtual coaching call before the event and the event itself. Bjorn and his team at Venture Noire know what they are doing and are good at coaching entrepreneurs.
In addition to Venture Noire and the Walton Family Foundation, several other local firms and organizations had a hand in the Big Pitch event including, the Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce, The Venture Center, Frost PLLC, Wright Lindsey Jennings, The Foundation for Social Impact, High Street Equity Ventures, and StartUP NWAR.
Hear more about the Big Pitch event and Bjorn’s efforts with Venture Noire to help with diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to help build confidence and profitability in underrepresented founders.
All of this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.
Important Links and Mentions on the Show*
This episode is sponsored by*
Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"
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Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!"
*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.
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Mentioned in this episode:
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NWA Council Commercials Skills Training (revised)
Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!"
