Fuel Student Entrepreneurs with the Student Seed Fund

Fuel Student Entrepreneurs with the Student Seed Fund

At the University of Arkansas, students aren’t waiting to graduate to start businesses — they’re building them now. From small main street ventures to scalable startups and side hustles that pay for tuition, students across campus are taking ideas to market.

Through the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OEI), more than 150 students each year engage in programs like the Side Hustle Hub, Student Business Incubator, and New Venture development, gaining mentorship, workspace, and entrepreneurial training.

• Over 40% of these students are running active businesses
• One in three say their side hustle helps them pay for school or living expenses
• Many go on to create high-growth startups focused on industry, environmental, and community challenges

The Student Seed Fund will give these entrepreneurs the early money they need to grow — from $250 to $1,000 in seed funding for prototypes, materials, marketing or other resources. Funds will be awarded through student pitch competitions, ensuring resources go directly to promising students ready to take the next step.

Your gift enables students to:

• Test business models through customer discovery and market validation
• Develop prototypes and brand materials
• Scale from idea to revenue-generating business
• Access to financial resources is one of the main reasons entrepreneurs discontinue efforts to start companies, including small businesses. This fund will allow us to help students bridge the gap to get started.