Startup Junkie, ARise Added as Sponsors of Arkansas Capital Governor’s Cup

Arkansas Capital of Little Rock has partnered with Fayetteville-based Startup Junkie and its newest program, ARise, to host the Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition.

Startup Junkie and ARise will sponsor the High Growth Technology Graduate Division of the competition. Dhu Thompson, owner of US Irrigation and former owner of Delta Plastics and Revolution Bag, will return in 2025 as title sponsor for the program’s 25th year.

“Arkansas Capital has positively impacted thousands of student entrepreneurs through the Governor’s Cup, thanks to the generous support of our partners and sponsors,” said Arkansas Capital CEO Sam Walls III in a press release. “We are excited to expand that impact through our new partnership with Startup Junkie and ARise, which will provide additional support and coaching opportunities for all participating students and teams.”

Tywanna Smith speaks at the 2024 Arkansas Governor’s Cup. (Photo provided)

Arkansas Capital is focused on increasing participation among students and institutions across the state, the release said. To make the program more accessible and support early-stage startups in the Natural State, Startup Junkie and ARise will host training workshops to strengthen the student teams’ oral and elevator pitch skills. In addition, Startup Junkie and ARise are offering free coaching services to help students prepare for the competition. ARise’s extensive network of subject matter experts will also be on hand to provide insight, answer questions and assist the Governor’s Cup teams.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Governor’s Cup this year,” said Jeff Amerine, founder of Startup Junkie and co-director of the ARise program. “Sponsoring the High Growth Technology Graduate Division is a great opportunity for our new ARise program, as it is specifically designed to support Arkansas innovators, startups and entrepreneurs in technology and technology-based ventures.”

The Governor’s Cup is open to undergraduate students from two- and four-year colleges in Arkansas, as well as graduate students from Arkansas and surrounding states. Startup Junkie and ARise workshops and coaching are available to students in all divisions of the competition. After the competition ends, ARise services will continue to be available to all technology and technology-supported companies based in Arkansas as part of their long-term program to grow the Arkansas economy through entrepreneurial support and services. The total prize pool in 2025 is $144,000.

For more information about the Governor’s Cup, visit argovernorscup.com, and to learn more about Startup Junkie and ARise, visit arisearkansas.org.

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