Hundreds of local artisans will set up shops this weekend across Northwest Arkansas, displaying their goods at the spring Fifth Market on Saturday, Apr 29, and the NWA Makers Markets on Sunday, Apr 30, highlighting the area's creativity, entrepreneurship, and artistry.

• At fifth: Fifth Street Studio and Airship Coffee will host Fifth Market Spring 2023 on Saturday, Apr 29, in collaboration with CACHE, Hawkmoth Brewing, and Delta Biscuit Co. Featuring over 70 local makers, artists, florists, vintage collectors, and small businesses during an inspired afternoon filled with art, food, and entertainment!
• At the fair: On Sunday, Apr 30, the Makers Market will feature locally made goods from over 250 Northwest Arkansas makers. The event is dog friendly, and there will be local coffee and food trucks at the event from 10a-4p. Parking on-site will cost $5. 

Invite your friends to come shopping with you HERE. 

Bentonville software provider Ox has raised $12.6m in Series A funding after around co-led by BBG Ventures and MaC Venture Capital, the largest enterprise software Series A in the state's history.

• Automating: Ox is an order fulfillment platform designed to assist retailers in supply chain optimization through software automation, AI, and wearable technology. Founder and CEO Charu Thomas shared that the company aims to "turn Bentonville into not just a supply chain and logistics hub but an automation technology hub."
• Human: Ox will use the Series A funds to advance its patented wearable device that directs workflows via AI. This innovative software helps businesses increase efficiency and reduce operating expenses with a human-centered solution rather than replacing human labor with expensive robotic systems that can take years to install.

Read more on the story in Talk Business & Politics HERE.

Upskill NWA is making a lasting impact in our community by providing accessible training to the region's untapped workforce and connecting them with higher-paying, skilled jobs in the healthcare field. 

• Empower: Addressing historical barriers, Upskill NWA covers 100% of participants' tuition, books, fees, and licensing exam costs and partners them with a Career Navigator to walk through the process of gaining your specific degree or certification. The average income for participants increased from $14,370 to $54,257.
• ConGRADulations: The current class of Upskill NWA is nearing graduation, and participant Oma said, "My academic performance was so improved thanks to Upskill's assistance that I made the Dean's List, which I had previously believed only happened to other individuals." Listen to what other graduates had to say about their experience HERE. 

Take your career to the next level; apply for the next Upskill NWA HERE. 

Namida Lab, headquartered in Fayetteville, was awarded the prestigious Gold prize for Intelligent Diagnostics at the recent 2023 Edison Awards for their innovative biological breast cancer screening technology, Auria.

• Good tears: A groundbreaking at-home biological breast cancer screening test powered by tears, Auria has garnered national attention and put Arkansas on the map for this cutting-edge contribution to women's health.
• Prestige: The Edison Awards honor the best in product and service development, marketing, design, and innovation, previously recognizing the likes of Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, General Motors, and Genentech.

Learn more about the work of Namida Lab and its innovative product Auria HERE.

The NWA Startup Crawl is set to return to Fayetteville on Sep 8, where the best and brightest of Northwest Arkansas's dynamic entrepreneurial scene will showcase their products and services alongside local breweries, art displays, food trucks, and live music from Grammy-nominated band Sister Hazel.

• Empower others: Organized by local nonprofit Startup Junkie, the NWA Startup Crawl draws hundreds of attendees each year, ranging from investors and business leaders to students and entrepreneurs who want to support and learn from each other.
• Downtown: The festivities will begin at 5p on the Fayetteville Square, where the headlining stage and a beer garden will be set up; then, the crawl will lead attendees to the Pryor Center, where dozens of Arkansas-based startups will be set up for meet and greets.

Early bird tickets are available now for a discounted rate HERE.