Artificial Intelligence (AI) Archives - Bentonville Economic Development

Empowering Youth through Financial Literacy and Technology

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Somya Munjal, Founder and CEO of Youthful Savings, a tech-powered, learning ecosystem dedicated to socioeconomic empowerment through youth. Youthful Savings’ ecosystem consists of The Learning Marketplace (TLM), the Youthful Savings Marketplace (YSM) and the Youthful Savings Foundation (YSF). Through Youthful Savings educational products, youth are inspired to become heart-intelligent world citizens supporting mental well-being, economic empowerment and community development.

The Learning Marketplace is an innovative learning platform featuring revolutionary, downloadable learning exercises that include various topics such as entrepreneurship, personal finance, technology, Bitcoin and NFTs, art, vertical farming and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the Youthful Savings Marketplace aims to disrupt the growing wealth gap through the power of entrepreneurship and education. Lastly, the Youthful Savings Foundation provides engaged learners monthly capital through its Community Investment Fund (CIF), effectively reducing the bias in capital raising and providing equal opportunities for all.

Throughout the episode, Somya elaborates on Youthful Savings’ philosophy that if all youth receive the proper education and initial investment, they can create businesses that economically empower themselves and their communities. She also shares Youthful Savings’ positive impact on communities and some exciting announcements regarding Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.

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The Future of Healthcare at Home

In this insightful episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell shares the studio with Andres Lazarte, Co-Founder & President of Basis Health, a pioneering healthcare provider that relocated from Boise, Idaho, to Bentonville, Arkansas, in 2021. Basis Health is revolutionizing healthcare for aging people by delivering expert medical care right in the comfort of their homes. Basis makes healthcare accessible to elderly patients regardless of living setting and is reducing unnecessary hospital visits and healthcare costs, improving their quality of life.

Dedicated to innovation, Basis Health is at the forefront of shifting healthcare to a preventative, patient-centered model. As they continue to innovate, what will further set them apart is their use of cutting-edge artificial intelligence and predictive modeling technologies designed to continuously analyze conditions of their patients, identify the earliest onset of clinical decline and rapidly provide medical interventions and follow-up care.

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Igniting Innovations: Engaging with Fuel’s 2023 AI/ML Cohort – Part 2

In this special two-part series on The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell continues an engaging discussion featuring members of Fuel’s 2023 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Accelerator cohort. They spotlight Fuel’s 12-week enterprise-ready accelerator program, which pairs seed- and growth-stage tech startups with key enterprise partners to fast-track the adoption of practical technology solutions. The program emphasizes operational value training over traditional venture capital pitch coaching. This episode highlights innovators from around the globe in the AI and ML sectors, along with their companies from various industries. Conversations include Dexter Caffey from Smart Eye Technology, Andrew Bart of AlgoFace, Mike Romeri at Analytics2Go and Kevin Butler from Edify.ai, who showcase their companies, their experiences through the Fuel Accelerator and their #BecauseBentonville stories, painting a vibrant picture of entrepreneurial growth and community connection.

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Igniting Innovations: Engaging with Fuel’s 2023 AI/ML Cohort – Part 1

In this special two-part series on The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell kicks off the first episode with an engaging discussion featuring members of Fuel’s 2023 AI/ML Accelerator cohort. Joined by Fuel’s Director, Darian Harris, and Entrepreneur in Residence, Tom Douglass, they spotlight Fuel’s 12-week enterprise-ready accelerator program, which pairs seed and growth-stage tech startups with key enterprise partners to fast-track the adoption of practical technology solutions. The program emphasizes operational value training over traditional venture capital pitch coaching. This episode highlights innovators from around the globe in the AI and ML sectors, along with their companies from various industries. Conversations with Somya Munjal of Youthful Savings, Keith Fix and Brent Blecha of Retail Aware, and Kannan Udayarajan of Siemba highlight their companies, experiences at Fuel Accelerator, and their #BecauseBentonville stories, painting a vibrant picture of entrepreneurial growth and community connection.

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Automating Innovative Product Research by Utilizing AI

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Tim Hall, Co-Founder of Simporter, a company providing software that automates new product research, including white space exploration, pre-launch forecasting, marketing simulations and product monitoring. After decades of working in consumer packaged goods (CPG), Tim recognized the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and made it his mission to make it easier for non-technical people to cut costs, improve consumer loyalty, reduce waste and grow revenue organically simply by embracing AI. Throughout the episode, James and Tim discuss the various problems that Simporter’s solutions solve; Simporter’s relocation from Atlanta to Bentonville; and the current and future utilization of AI.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Fueling Bentonville’s Startup Renaissance

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Michael Paladino, Co-Founder and Chairman at RevUnit, a technology studio that helps companies supercharge their supply chain operations with technologies built specifically for them. RevUnit has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies four times and the Entrepreneur 360 list of America’s most innovative businesses. Additionally, with a people-centric mindset, it has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine on its Top Company Cultures list and as Best Place to Work by Arkansas Business. Throughout the episode, James and Michael discuss the past, present and future of RevUnit, the evolution of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas’s startup ecosystem, and how the recent surge in artificial intelligence advancements is revolutionizing business and everyday life.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Accelerating Enterprise-Ready HealthTech Startups (part 2)

In this special two-part series of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by several founders in the inaugural Fuel for Your Health Accelerator cohort, plus Grace Gill, Fuel’s Operational Manager. Fuel operates a family of accelerators in Bentonville that are operationally focused. The program provides growth-stage companies with knowledge and opportunities to interact with enterprise-size entities to further accelerate their success. Fuel for Your Health features innovative growth-stage healthtech startups from around the world with a diverse range of solutions that are transforming the healthcare industry. In this episode, James speaks with a few members of the 2023 Fuel for Your Health cohort, including MatchRite Care’s CEO, Chris Jones, and COO, Steven Sattem; Zemplee’s Founder and CEO, Aparna Pujar; and Momentum Health’s Co-Founder and CEO, Philippe Miller. Throughout the episode, James and his guests discuss what inspired them to start their companies, what solutions they provide and their experiences with Fuel, Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Accelerating Enterprise-Ready HealthTech Startups (part 1)

In this special two-part series of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by several founders in the inaugural Fuel for Your Health Accelerator cohort, plus Tom Douglass, Fuel’s Entrepreneur In Residence. Fuel operates a family of accelerators in Bentonville that are operationally focused. The program provides growth-stage companies with knowledge and opportunities to interact with enterprise-size entities to further accelerate their success. Fuel for Your Health features innovative growth-stage healthtech startups from around the world with a diverse range of solutions that are transforming the healthcare industry. In this episode, James speaks with a few members of the 2023 Fuel for Your Health cohort, including Sarah Buechner, Product Manager with Lineus Medical; Francisco Nogueira, Co-Founder and CEO at Glooma; and Vinicio Vargas, Co-Founder and CEO of Ainnova Tech. Throughout the episode, James and his guests discuss what inspired them to start their companies, what solutions they provide and their experiences with Fuel, Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Exploring the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host Allie Johnston welcomes back to the show Kris Adams, Director of the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference, and it serves to further enhance, diversify and catalyze the economy of Bentonville and the Northwest Arkansas region. Throughout the episode, Kris breaks down what it takes to plan the NWA Tech Summit–and he shares what attendees may expect from this year’s gathering, the positive impact this important annual event has on the NWA community and why tech startups and scaleups are relocating, launching and growing in Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Highlighting the Spectacular Rise of Bentonville

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, regular host James Bell takes a seat in the guest chair to be interviewed by his intern Allie Johnston, who was matched with Bentonville Economic Development through the University of Arkansas’ Venture Intern Program. The Venture Intern Program connects undergraduate students from the university with startups, entrepreneurs, support organizations and investor networks for semester-long internships. Throughout the episode, Allie and James discuss James’ current role as Vice President for Economic Development at the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, how Bentonville is a place that punches above its body weight and the exciting things in store for Bentonville’s future.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Empowering Youth through Financial Literacy and Technology

The Future of Healthcare at Home

Igniting Innovations: Engaging with Fuel’s 2023 AI/ML Cohort – Part 2

Igniting Innovations: Engaging with Fuel’s 2023 AI/ML Cohort – Part 1

Automating Innovative Product Research by Utilizing AI

Fueling Bentonville’s Startup Renaissance

Accelerating Enterprise-Ready HealthTech Startups (part 2)

Accelerating Enterprise-Ready HealthTech Startups (part 1)

Exploring the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

Highlighting the Spectacular Rise of Bentonville

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