INTRODUCTION TO THE ARKANSAS VENTURE FORUM

In 2001, regional business leaders formed the Arkansas Venture Forum (AVF) in an effort to bring together all resources that can be helpful in advancing promising Arkansas companies. Furthermore, they believed that maturation of Arkansas' venture capital, angel investing and support services markets would improve Arkansas' competitive position, and create a climate in which Arkansas companies could prosper and create knowledge-based jobs.

The AVF's lead and founding sponsor is Arkansas Capital Corporation Group. The forum is managed by the Arkansas Economic Acceleration Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit affiliate of the Arkansas Capital Corporation Group.

The Arkansas Venture Forum and its activities throughout the year are intended to provide educational programs that will accelerate the successful development of the entrepreneurial community in the State of Arkansas. Educational programs are intended to be helpful to the entrepreneurial community, the angel or accredited investor community, and to provide a means to invite the venture capital community from surrounding states to our state from time-to-time so that these sources of capital will cover our state over the long-term.

The Arkansas Venture Forum, its members and its activities will place the state of Arkansas and its economic progress first and foremost in all that we do.