Startup Junkie

Name

Startup Junkie

Legal name

Startup Junkie Consulting

Website

https://startupjunkie.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Support Services

NAICS

Business Support Services (5614)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship consulting services
• Startup accelerator programs
• Small business microloans
• Coworking space access
• Entrepreneur mentorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Fayetteville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Foundation grants and donations: Primary funding from foundations and government agencies including Walton Family Foundation, USDA, EDA, SBA, City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Funds support programs, operations, and mission-aligned initiatives.
2. Kiva NWA microloan program: Facilitates interest-free microloans through Kiva's crowdfunding platform. Revenue derived from loan matching funds and partnership arrangements with Kiva US and funders. Proceeds support small business lending in Washington County.
3. UpStart Thrift Store: Resale of donated clothing and household items at affordable prices. Revenue after rent and utilities funds Kiva loans and small business grants for Washington County entrepreneurs.
4. Consulting services: Provides no-cost consulting to entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-oriented small businesses. Services are free to clients, funded by grants and donations from funding partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Startup Junkie provides no-cost one-on-one consulting, coworking space, and meeting room access to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The organization also operates a portfolio of accelerator programs (Fuel, Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator, ARise, 75 Strong, Science Venture Studio, EMPOWER), a microloan hub (Kiva NWA), and a thrift store (UpStart) whose proceeds fund small business loans and grants, all delivered through a coalition of Startup Junkie Consulting LLC and Startup Junkie Foundation 501c3.

Product overview

Startup Junkie is a coalition of multiple entities (Startup Junkie Consulting, LLC and Startup Junkie Foundation, 501c3) offering a portfolio of programs and services to empower entrepreneurs and innovators. The organization operates as a platform-plus-programs model combining no-cost consulting, coworking space (CenterSpace), an expert network (The Bullpen), and a media platform (Startup Junkies Podcast) with distinct accelerator programs. Key programs include Fuel Accelerator (AI/ML tech startups), Kiva NWA (micro-lending), Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator, ARise (statewide entrepreneurship support), 75 Strong (rural ecosystems), and Science Venture Studio (federal grant support). The ecosystem is supported by social enterprises including UpStart Thrift Store, which funds Kiva loans and small business grants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fuel Accelerator: Technology startup accelerator program focusing on AI/ML and healthtech companies
• Kiva NWA
• UpStart Thrift
• Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA)
• Science Venture Studio
• ARise
• 75 Strong
• Startup Junkies Podcast
• The Bullpen
• CenterSpace

Products and services

• No-Cost Consulting Services One-on-one no-cost consulting for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-oriented small businesses across all stages from idea creation and validation to pivoting, scaling, and exiting. Delivered through Startup Junkie Consulting and funded by foundation grants and donations.
• CenterSpace Coworking No-reservation-required coworking desks on the second floor of CenterSpace in the Pryor Center at Fayetteville Square, available to entrepreneurs needing collaborative workspace at no cost.
• Fuel Accelerator Cohort-based technology accelerator connecting early-stage AI/ML and HealthTech startups with enterprise partners to accelerate technology adoption. Participants have raised more than $240 million in funding and the program has contributed to nine startup relocations.
• Kiva NWA Micro-lending hub providing zero-interest, zero-fee loans to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Northwest Arkansas through Kiva's crowdfunding platform. Has facilitated $1 million+ in loans to more than 100 borrowers.
• UpStart Thrift Store Volunteer-run thrift store in Farmington, Arkansas that resells donated clothing and household items at affordable prices. Proceeds fund Kiva loans and small business grants for Washington County entrepreneurs.
• ARise Statewide initiative supporting Arkansas entrepreneurs and small businesses through specialized consulting, technical assistance, and access to resources for growth, connecting founders with experienced advisors and capital pathways.
• Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA) Cycling industry accelerator helping tech-enabled companies explore business opportunities in the United States and Arkansas. Selects international and U.S. companies for cohort-based programs culminating in Demo Day.
• 75 Strong Community initiative focused on strengthening rural and underrepresented business ecosystems in Arkansas through workshops, personalized support, and local partnerships to empower entrepreneurs in often-overlooked communities.
• Science Venture Studio Program helping Arkansas science and technology startups apply for non-dilutive federal grants, funded by Walton Family Foundation in collaboration with Innovate Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas Council, and University of Arkansas.
• EMPOWER Accelerator 16-week accelerator program for women and non-binary people in STEM in Arkansas who have an innovation they would like to explore bringing to market.
• The Bullpen Expert Network Curated network of subject matter experts including former Startup Junkie clients, industry professionals, and top-tier service providers who offer free consulting to entrepreneurs.
• Startup Junkies Podcast Weekly video and audio podcast featuring conversations with founders and innovators from Northwest Arkansas and around the world, sharing stories of entrepreneurship. Distributed on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
• 1 Million Cups - Bentonville Weekly community event bringing together Bentonville entrepreneurs for coffee and conversation, where founders present their ideas to the community and find inspiration through shared stories and experiences.
• Mentor Camp Mentorship program connecting entrepreneurs with experienced mentors for guidance and support in Northwest Arkansas.
• Fayetteville Business Starter Kit Collaborative initiative with the City of Fayetteville providing live webinars and practical online guides covering licensing, permitting, zoning, regulatory requirements, and local resources for starting a business in Fayetteville.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1 million+ in interest-free Kiva loans to 100+ entrepreneurs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• SLS CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2025Partnership to launch groundbreaking neurodiversity workforce study in Northwest Arkansas.
• Arkansas CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 September 2024Partnership for Governor's Cup competition with ARise program to provide tech support and empower future entrepreneurs.
• The Venture CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2022Partnership to host Techstars Startup Weekend in Northwest Arkansas. Joint effort to engage and educate local entrepreneurs.
• GrowthXflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2021Silicon Valley venture capital partnership for Fuel Accelerator 2021. Collaboration to expand impact and connect Arkansas startups with broader capital networks.
• WLJ Tech LawminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 April 2021Partnership with specialized tech law group to support entrepreneurs with legal and intellectual property guidance.
• Tahlequah Regional Development Authority (TRDA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2021Partnership to conduct entrepreneurial ecosystem study and develop sustainable business ecosystem in Cherokee County.
• Korean International Trade Association (KITA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2020Arkansas-Korea Alliance to strengthen international relations and support Korean entrepreneurs and startups in Arkansas.
• Innovate ArkansascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2020Collaboration partner for Science Venture Studio helping Arkansas science and technology companies secure federal non-dilutive funding.
• Northwest Arkansas CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2020Collaborative partner in Science Venture Studio and broader NWA ecosystem development initiatives.
• Kiva UScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2019Partnership to launch Kiva Northwest Arkansas microloan hub. Provides crowdfunding platform for 0% interest, no-fee microloans to financially excluded entrepreneurs. Milestone: $1 million in loans to 100+ borrowers.
• University of ArkansascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner and collaborative partner. Science Venture Studio collaboration. Provides commercialization fellows from university. Partnership for startup ecosystem development.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Venture Center: Arkansas-based startup accelerator and innovation hub in Little Rock that runs accelerator cohorts and has co-hosted events with Startup Junkie (e.g., Techstars Startup Weekend). Both serve Arkansas tech founders with cohort programs and mentor networks.
• gener8tor: National accelerator operator running multiple cohort-based programs (including in Arkansas) for early-stage startups. Highly comparable to Startup Junkie's Fuel Accelerator model — short, intensive cohorts connecting founders to investors and corporates.
• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit accelerator running equity-free cohort programs for early-stage startups. Highly comparable in the no-equity, sponsor-funded accelerator model and in producing funding outcomes referenced in Startup Junkie's portfolio metrics.
• Innovation Works: Pittsburgh-based seed-stage investor and accelerator supporting robotics, AI, and life sciences startups. Comparable as a regional innovation hub combining accelerators, seed capital, and ecosystem programming.
• Kiva: Global crowdfunding microfinance platform and direct strategic partner of Startup Junkie via Kiva NWA. Comparable in mission (financial inclusion, 0% interest loans to underserved entrepreneurs) and the hub-and-spoke operating model Kiva NWA exemplifies.
• 1 Million Cups: Kauffman Foundation-supported nationwide program of weekly entrepreneur meetups — Startup Junkie runs the Bentonville chapter. Directly comparable in the free community-led founder engagement format that anchors Startup Junkie's GTM motion.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator network running 50+ programs annually with mentorship-driven cohorts. Larger incumbent but directly comparable in accelerator mechanics, equity-for-coaching model, and demo day format that Startup Junkie's Fuel mirrors at a regional scale.
• SCORE: U.S. SBA-affiliated nonprofit providing free mentoring, workshops, and resources to small business owners nationwide. Closest comparable in the no-cost 1:1 consulting and entrepreneur education mission that Startup Junkie anchors its work on.

Regional players

• Ark Angel Alliance: Arkansas angel investment group dedicated to Arkansas-based companies, now led by Startup Junkie's founder Jeff Amerine. Adjacent peer serving the same Arkansas founder ecosystem but focused on angel capital rather than accelerator programming.
• Northwest Arkansas Council: Regional economic development organization in NWA that collaborates with Startup Junkie on Science Venture Studio and ecosystem-building initiatives. Comparable as a regional economic development partner in Northwest Arkansas.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/startup_junkie
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqExEuOdzJWStrExSmv8d-g
• Facebookfacebook.com/startupjunkie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/startup-junkie-consulting

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Startup Junkie