Summary
In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Canem Arkan and Quinn Roberston from Endeavor, where Canem serves as Managing Director for Endeavor Heartland and Quinn is Director of the 412 Angels Program. Endeavor is the leading, global community of, by, and for high-impact entrepreneurs. It is on a mission to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging and underserved markets around the world. With the belief that high-impact entrepreneurs transform economies, Endeavor creates a multiplier effect by inspiring high-growth founders to dream bigger, scale faster and pay it forward, effectively compounding their individual impact.
Endeavor was established with the idea that entrepreneurship can thrive anywhere if given the right resources to grow, resulting in its global footprint spanning over 900 companies in more than 42 growth markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the United States and Canada. Endeavor’s portfolio companies have created more than 4 million jobs and generated over 24 billion dollars in revenue. In 2024, Endeavor Heartland took responsibility for 412 Angels, an investor network and program created to educate and grow the level of angel investing in the super region along the U.S. Highway 412 corridor from Tulsa, Oklahoma, through Northwest Arkansas.
Throughout this episode, Canem and Quinn expand on Endeavor’s approach to supporting scale-stage entrepreneurs and startups, and they share their views on how Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem has evolved. They also discuss 412 Angels’ investment thesis and how they are increasing the number of local angel investors through the platform.
Thanks for tuning in!
Show Notes
Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.
(0:52) Introduction to Canem Arkan and Quinn Robertson
(4:55) Endeavor Heartland’s Mission and Presence in Bentonville
(8:14) About 412 Angels
(11:33) 412 Angels Investment Thesis
(15:28) Why to Consider Angel Investing
(19:45) How Bentonville’s Startup and Capital Funding Landscape Has Evolved
(26:05) Canem and Quinn’s #BecauseBentonville Stories
(28:29) Partnerships with Other Entrepreneurial Support Organizations
(32:33) About The Multiplier Effect Podcast
(40:34) Closing Question
Links
Bentonville Economic Development
Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce
Canem Arkan (canem.arkan@endeavor.org)
Quinn Robertson (quinn.robertson@endeavor.org)
Get Connected!
Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, brought to you by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce! Join us weekly for more stories and advice from the entrepreneurs, business executives and community leaders who are sparking the rise of the Greater Bentonville Area. If you are interested in starting a business, expanding your current business, or discussing whether your business should have a presence in Greater Bentonville, or would like to discuss this podcast, please contact James Bell at jbell@greaterbentonville.com or (479) 273-2841.
Links for Additional Mentions
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Plug and Play Tech Center Northwest Arkansas
Fuel Accelerators: HealthTech, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation – University of Arkansas
