Heartland Forward accelerator helps startups bring ideas to fruition

• Builders + Backers, a venture capital and accelerator firm, runs the program, along with Heartland Forward.

Why it matters: Encouraging, mentoring and developing startups are important steps to build a successful entrepreneurial network in Northwest Arkansas and achieve a community-wide goal to diversify the regional economy.

Details: This big idea behind an "idea accelerator" is that anyone with a creative concept for solving a problem in Northwest Arkansas can apply.

• Participants receive a $5,000 "pebble" grant to use for experimentation to prove — or disprove — their ideas.
• They learn how to put abstractions into action, test them and communicate their value, while building a network of other "builders."
• The two-month program will be held virtually and starts June 8.

Between the lines: This will be the fourth cohort through Heartland Forward's accelerator, so the region has 30 graduates capable of providing networking support.

Go deeper: Read how serial entrepreneur Brent Robinson put rubber to the road with the program.

• If you're unsure whether the program is for you, Builders + Backers will host two virtual information meetings:
• The first is tomorrow from 2-3pm. Registration required.
• The second is set for May 10 from 1-2pm. Register here.