The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, a nonprofit organization, has announced a new initiative in Northwest Arkansas that brings together two complementary goals: helping early-stage businesses access the mentorship and guidance required for growth, while providing college students with paid, practical work experience at those same companies. The two-year initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC).

With primary support from the Walton Family Foundation and additional funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the initiative aims to develop a scalable model that other communities across the United States can adopt. By connecting emerging businesses with student talent, the program seeks to transform the region's entrepreneurial activity into sustained economic development and further strengthen Northwest Arkansas's reputation as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Many young companies face challenges in accessing experienced mentors, professional networks, and the knowledge necessary to expand. At the same time, college students in the region may find it difficult to identify meaningful entry points into the innovation-driven economy. These challenges are interconnected: startups need capable talent, while students need opportunities to gain relevant experience and build professional relationships.

For the first time, the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center is combining two programs that it has previously operated independently. Milestone Circles provides early-stage founders with structured coaching, peer support, accountability, and collaborative learning. Startup Intern Match, meanwhile, connects college students with early-stage companies through paid internship opportunities.

Participating startups will take part in both programs at the same time. Through Milestone Circles, founders will receive onboarding, preparation, and coaching before their interns begin, enabling them to establish the processes and expectations needed to make effective use of student talent. Over the two-year grant period, the initiative will serve four founder cohorts comprising 70 startups and provide paid internship opportunities to 140 students.

Milestone Circles in Northwest Arkansas
Milestone Circles is a peer-based CEO development program designed for founders of early-stage companies. Participants receive structured coaching while learning from fellow entrepreneurs, establishing accountability, and sharing practical experiences.

Four cohorts will be conducted during the two-year initiative, collectively serving 70 early-stage businesses. Each cohort may participate in as many as 16 in-person sessions covering onboarding, peer accountability, coaching, learning activities, and a final graduation.

The initiative has established several targets for the grant period. These include an average revenue growth of at least 10% among participating companies that generate revenue, a combined minimum of $500,000 in newly raised capital, and the creation of at least 30 new jobs.

The Northwest Arkansas program forms part of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center's broader national Milestone Circles initiative. To date, the program has graduated 8,381 founders from 17,839 applications. During 2025, it provided 5,267 hours of technical assistance through 238 program experiences, while participation is expected to exceed 9,000 founders in 2026.

Startup Intern Match in Northwest Arkansas
Startup Intern Match will provide paid internship placements for students from the University of Arkansas and NWACC. Four student cohorts will participate over the two-year period, with the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation taking the lead on the student-facing component of the program.

Interns will receive $15 per hour and work 10 hours each week for a 12-week placement. Participating startups will simultaneously complete Milestone Circles, allowing them to receive coaching and establish appropriate onboarding processes before their interns join the company. A total of 140 students are expected to receive internships during the grant period.

The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center has extensive experience facilitating startup internships. In its most recent collaboration with Lehigh University, the Center placed between 80 and 120 students into startup internships each semester. Interest from startups has been significant, with more than 4,150 companies having requested interns to date—approximately 32 times greater than the program's current capacity.

The two programs will conclude with a shared graduation ceremony, along with recognition at Nasdaq Tower in Times Square. Matt Waller, a local advisor and former dean of the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business, will contribute regional expertise and help build relationships within the local entrepreneurial community while facilitating Milestone Circles in Northwest Arkansas.

Statements from Program Partners
"Northwest Arkansas has become a dynamic center for innovation and entrepreneurship, and we are delighted to work with the Walton Family Foundation to build on that momentum," said Nicola Corzine, CEO and Founding Executive Director of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center. "By bringing Milestone Circles and Startup Intern Match together, we can create meaningful and enduring relationships among students, startups, founders, mentors, and the wider Northwest Arkansas community."

Brent Williams, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, said the university's Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is focused on providing students with experiential learning opportunities that expose them to real business challenges, entrepreneurs, and emerging companies.

"We are pleased to collaborate with the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center and Northwest Arkansas Community College through Startup Intern Match," Williams said. "The initiative will broaden students' access to startup environments while helping strengthen the region's emerging talent base."

Dr. Chris LaFata, dean of Business and Computer Information Systems at Northwest Arkansas Community College, emphasized the value of combining academic learning with practical experience.

"This partnership gives students an opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom through paid, real-world work at startups throughout Northwest Arkansas," LaFata said. "The experience will help students develop valuable skills, establish professional connections, and prepare for successful careers."

Matt Waller, professor at the Sam M. Walton College of Business and facilitator of Milestone Circles NWA, highlighted the importance of peer relationships for entrepreneurs.

"Northwest Arkansas has many determined and ambitious entrepreneurs," Waller said. "What founders often need is a community of peers who are willing to challenge their assumptions, ask difficult questions, and provide accountability. That is the role Milestone Circles is designed to play."

Yee-Lin Lai, senior program officer for the Walton Family Foundation's Home Region Program, noted that entrepreneurship can be an isolating experience.

"Building a company can be a lonely journey," Lai said.

"Milestone Circles will give Northwest Arkansas founders access to peers and mentors who can help them overcome challenges and pursue growth. At the same time, startup internships will provide students with hands-on experience while helping develop the next generation of entrepreneurial talent in the region."

Non-profit organizations nationwide are navigating a fresh wave of challenges in today’s economic climate.

While tight budgets have always been a reality for community groups, many are now facing even greater strain due to shifts in government funding.

Gina Sian, who leads Regions Bank’s Making Life Better Institute, understands the mounting pressure this places on nonprofit leaders. For the past five years, Regions’ Community Engagement team has been hosting the Important Insights for Community Organizations webinar series—offering free guidance, drawing on the bank’s in-house expertise to support organizations where it’s most needed.

One recurring topic Sian hears from nonprofits is the difficulty of staff development.

“Many in the nonprofit sector know the saying, ‘No money, no mission,’” Sian explained. “But just as important is your team—the people who share your mission, have the skills to bring it to life, and are willing to grow with your organization. That’s a big challenge when resources are limited.”

To address how nonprofits can enhance employee growth without straining budgets, Sian invited a panel of Regions’ Learning and Development specialists—Jinny Walker, Barry Ward, and Ressie Chambers—to share practical, low-cost strategies. The session brought together 71 participants representing 45 organizations across 39 cities.

Walker began by asking attendees to contribute to a word-cloud exercise, highlighting the most common hurdles in staff and volunteer training. The top concerns—time, budget, technology, staffing, and expertise—were no surprise.

Her advice for starting strong:

She also shared ways to make learning engaging and manageable:

Ward followed by pointing out free or affordable training options, such as workshops offered by community foundations, online platforms, or even public libraries. These can cover topics from fundraising and marketing to capacity building and financial management. “The key,” Ward noted, “is to choose resources that truly match your organization’s needs.”

Chambers, who not only works in Learning and Development at Regions but also serves as the executive director of Camp Chambers—a volunteer-run nonprofit serving underserved youth—offered insight from her own experience leading an unpaid and diverse workforce. She recommended:

She also cautioned against one-size-fits-all approaches or overwhelming participants with too much information. Her practical suggestions included:

The session sparked active discussion in the chat, with participants exchanging resources and ideas. For leaders like Joan Wright, executive director of Childcare Resources in Birmingham, the webinar provided actionable takeaways—especially the variety of free tools available for staff development. Wright praised the format for being free, accessible, and professionally led, and said it has helped her team explore new approaches in their work.

For Regions’ associates, the series is as rewarding as it is impactful.

“It’s meaningful to share knowledge with nonprofits who are working hard, often with minimal staff and budget,” Walker said. “Not every organization has access to the resources we do, and it’s great to help others amplify their impact.”

She added, “I’ve grown within Regions, so sharing what I’ve learned with community partners feels like a way to pay it forward. It’s a privilege to give back in a way that’s directly tied to what I’m passionate about every day.”