The Fuel Accelerator program hosted by Startup Junkie Foundation and funded by AEDC and the Walton Family Foundation is returning to Bentonville for its fourth cohort, and applications are now open! 

• Program: Fuel is a 12-week enterprise-ready accelerator that matches growth-stage artificial intelligence and machine learning startups with key enterprise partners to accelerate the adoption of technology solutions. No equity or cost is required to participate, just attendance during the program, during which office space will be provided. 
• Training: The program focuses on operational value training, not just venture capital coaching. Participants will gain nurtured relationships with key Fortune 500 companies and other startup founders, VC firms, higher education institutions, public policy officials through hands-on education and workshops, with plenty of time to fully operate their business. 

Learn more about Fuel and apply HERE.

International recycling leader TerraCycle and Walmart are on a mission together to eliminate the idea of waste in Northwest Arkansas. 

• Trash to treasure: The two companies recently formed a partnership and have launched a pilot program of two recycling centers for “non-recyclable" materials in NWA. The two centers are in front of the Walmart Supercenter on Elm Springs Rd in Springdale and Sam’s Club in Fayetteville. 
• Test concept: The pilot program will last six months, then operations will be adjusted and scaled according to the response data. The community recycling hubs are a one-stop recycling solution for all the things we cannot recycle in our curbside bins.

To learn more about the new recycling hubs and general recycling in the region, click HERE

The buzz of anticipation is in the air in Bentonville. The second-ever FreshGrass festival is this weekend (May 20-21) at the Momentary, rain or shine, and we expect it will surpass expectations.

• Dance the days away: The festival is for all ages and will span across multiple stages at the Momentary "celebrating today’s bluegrass and progressive roots music.” Family-friendly activities like square dancing will accompany knockout performances by over 30 artists during the weekend.
• In one place: Great local food and drink, homegrown retail vendors, artist merchandise, and more will await festival attendees. Gates will open and music will start at 4p on Friday and 11:30a on Saturday. 

For information about tickets, parking, and the rest, click HERE. 

With the warmer weather and summer sneaking in, it’s patio season and we’re soaking up every minute! 

• For all occasions: NWA Daily sent out a poll to see what patios you all love, and with your help, we narrowed down our favorite patios in the region! From now on when you’re trying to decide what outdoor atmosphere you’re looking for, you’ll have the perfect place to see several great options.
• Whatever the mood: Our latest guide has 30 great patios for every kind of setting you could want — rooftops, beer gardens, porches, you name it. Share with your friends and enjoy the season! 

See the full Patio Guide HERE.

Northwest Arkansas has done it again! For the seventh time to be precise. 

• Staying near the top: U.S. News & World Report recently released its “Best Places to Live” report for 2022-2023, and Fayetteville is ranked No. 7 out of 150 of the country’s most populous cities. Fayetteville has landed in the top 10 metros for the past 7 years.
• Praise for a region: The ranking nods to the entire NWA region as being “a center of higher education, culture, commerce, and entrepreneurialism,” and references the friendliness of its residents. U.S. News ranked the 150 metro areas based on the quality of life, the value of living, job markets, and people’s desire to live in the area. 

See the full report HERE.