Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development

A fourth-generation coffee farmer from Guatemala, Geovanni has transformed his family’s decades-long coffee-growing legacy into a thriving Arkansas-based business. Leiva’s Coffee sources beans directly from family farms in Guatemala and is built on a mission of creating opportunities both in Arkansas and abroad. Today, the company continues to grow while staying rooted in its commitment to giving back. SOCIAL MEDIA View Past Entrepreneur Spotlights The entrepreneurial spirit created by our bold trendsetters has made Arkansas a hub of international commerce and is launching a new generation of dealmakers. Through a statewide network of partners and targeted tax incentive programs, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission is committed to empowering start-ups and visionaries with open collaboration, unparalleled resources, beneficial policies, and a willingness to get things done. ARise Arkansas ARise is a new initiative that helps tech and tech-enabled companies in Arkansas scale up, create high-wage job opportunities, and drive technological innovation. Learn more 75Strong 75Strong is a statewide program that trains economic developers and community leaders on entrepreneurship and small business development, in addition to providing direct technical support for Arkansas small businesses. Learn more Arkansas Business Resource Hub The Arkansas Business Resource Hub is a free and centralized online listing of organizations providing funding for Arkansas entrepreneurs and small business owners. Learn more ESO Monthly Call Join us for our Monthly ESO & Entrepreneur Community Call, held the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 AM CT. These calls provide updates from the Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) network, feature an Entrepreneur Spotlight, and offer an open forum for community members to share opportunities happening in their areas. Learn more Onward FX Onward FX (Founder/Funder Exchange) connects high-potential startups with leading investors through curated, one-on-one meetings. Driven by founder and investor feedback, the rebrand gives Arkansas’ startup ecosystem a clear, memorable identity that aims to attract national investors and showcase the state as a competitive place to build and scale. Learn more The Business Process INCENTIVES FUNDING Procurement Opportunities BUSINESS RESOURCES EVENTS NEWS AND SUCCESS STORIES News AEDC Awards $2M to 12 Startup Accelerator Programs Image AEDC Awards $2M to 12 Startup Accelerator Programs December 08, 2025 AEDC has awarded $2 million to support 12 Arkansas-based startup accelerators. Read > Arkansas’ Premier Founder-Funder Event Goes Statewide with Onward FX Expansion Image Arkansas’ Premier Founder-Funder Event Goes Statewide with Onward FX Expansion August 21, 2025 Onward FX is expanding into a statewide program, giving Arkansas founders direct access to one-on-one meetings with venture capital firms. Read > ‘Meet the Buyers’ Event for Arkansas Small Business Owners to be Held on May 20 Image ‘Meet the Buyers’ Event for Arkansas Small Business Owners to be Held on May 20 April 16, 2025 AEDC will host a 'Meet the Buyers' event for small businesses and entrepreneurs on May 20, 2025. Read > Esperanza Massana-Crane Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development (501) 682-7684 We want your input! Answer 5 questions about our new website. ASK AWAY No thank you >