Supply Chain & Logistics Archives - Bentonville Economic Development

2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 2

Join host James Bell in this second episode of a special four-part series of The Bentonville Beacon podcast, featuring live-recorded conversations at the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit with the thinkers and doers shaping the future of global tech in Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare and diversify the Northwest Arkansas economy. Now in its tenth year, the event is hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and is supported by nearly 100 partners, including Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Verizon, Salesforce, T-Mobile for Business, Zebra, Scott Family Amazeum and Arvest. These episodes bring together voices from the event to share their company’s stories, personal insights and unique #BecauseBentonville moments that define the community’s character. Tune in as we explore the innovations and experiences that are fostering a culture where technology meets the essence of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas!

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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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Greater Bentonville’s Role in Arkansas’s Growth and Prosperity

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald for a fascinating conversation about the state’s economic growth initiatives and the role Greater Bentonville plays in the state’s success. The Arkansas Department of Commerce’s mission is to champion economic opportunities through strategic initiatives and an equitable regulatory environment that attracts and grows businesses, safeguards consumers, enhances workforce quality and energizes the state’s infrastructure, creating a better quality of life in Arkansas. Throughout the episode, James and Secretary McDonald discuss Arkansas’s diverse economy, the importance of supporting its small businesses and entrepreneurs, the state’s booming outdoor recreation industry and much more.

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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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Propelling the Future of Mobility

On this special episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Cyrus Sigari, who was appointed by former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson as Chairman of the Arkansas Council on Future Mobility (ACFM). The ACFM recently released its Arkansas Future Mobility Report, which provides a bold, visionary and specific plan to ensure the state’s leadership in advanced mobility. Cyrus is also Co-founder and Managing Partner of UP.Partners. UP.Partners is an early venture capital firm building companies that move people and goods cleaner, faster, safer and at a lower cost on the ground, in the air, over the sea and in space. Additionally, Cyrus is Co-founder and Executive Chairman for jetAVIVA, a global brand that selects, acquires and sells high-performance aircraft–and he serves as a Board Member of Bentonville-based Game Composites, which designs and manufactures the world’s finest and most nimble aerobatic aircraft. Furthermore, he leads UP.Summit, the definitive annual gathering of leaders from around the world who are rethinking the future of transportation. Throughout the episode, James and Cyrus discuss the Arkansas Future Mobility Council’s recommendations and how Bentonville is a key driver in the State of Arkansas’ leadership in advanced mobility.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Expanding Economic Opportunity and Prosperity

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Mike Malone, Vice Chancellor for Economic Development at the University of Arkansas. Mike has nearly three decades of experience building coalitions and partnerships to advance community and economic development opportunities. Previously, Mike had served as the CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council, where he led the creation and implementation of regional growth resulting in an improved quality of life in NWA. Additionally, Mike has held senior leadership positions in the White House, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the US Senate, and the US House of Representatives. Throughout the episode, James and Mike discuss the University of Arkansas’s economic development initiatives, why the University of Arkansas is investing in Bentonville, plus what resources and services the Division of Economic Development offers for expanding economic opportunity and prosperity across the entire state of Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Revolutionizing the Trucking Industry

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Aayush Thakur and Deme Yuan, a husband and wife team who co-founded FR8relay, where Aayush serves as the CEO and Deme is the COO. Aayush is also a board member for the Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses and a council member on the Forbes Business Council. FR8relay is a technology company working to create a more efficient and equitable trucking logistics ecosystem by introducing a collaborative model where multiple drivers work together to transport shipments. Throughout the episode, James, Aayush and Deme discuss how FR8relay is working to revolutionize the long-haul trucking industry, what entrepreneurial resources they have tapped into and their relocation to Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Navigating the World of Retail

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Angie Bailey, the Co-founder and CEO of Best In Class Suppliers, a team of retail experts dedicated to helping businesses navigate the processes and challenges of working with major retailers. Angie also serves on the City of Bentonville Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Community Task Force as well as the Bentonville Library Foundation Board of Directors. Throughout the episode, James and Angie discuss challenges facing the retail industry, how Best In Class Suppliers helps its partners overcome those challenges and Bentonville’s influence on the world of retail.

Thanks for tuning in!

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2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 2

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

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

Greater Bentonville’s Role in Arkansas’s Growth and Prosperity

Exploring the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

Highlighting the Spectacular Rise of Bentonville

Propelling the Future of Mobility

Expanding Economic Opportunity and Prosperity

Revolutionizing the Trucking Industry

Navigating the World of Retail

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