JOIN US FOR THE 2026 ESO SUMMIT!

FEBRUARY 25TH AND 26TH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS

The ESO Summit is where Arkansas’s Entrepreneur Support Organizations come together to share ideas, forge connections, and strengthen the statewide ecosystem. This event is designed for those who are passionate about helping entrepreneurs succeed—especially in rural and underserved communities. Through lightning talks, collaborative sessions, and networking opportunities, attendees will explore new ways to support small business growth and drive innovation across Arkansas.

REGISTRATION information

Conference seating is limited and may reach capacity quickly, so don’t miss your chance—purchase your ticket now!

Don’t miss out on the best deal for the ESO Summit! Register before December 1st to secure your Innovator ticket at the lowest price of $125. Take advantage of this early bird rate and guarantee your spot at Arkansas’s premier entrepreneurship event!

THE 2026 ESO SUMMIT AGENDA IS LIVE! This year’s lineup is packed with powerful sessions, hands-on workshops, expert panels, and meaningful networking opportunities designed to strengthen Arkansas’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Event schedule flyer for ESO Summit on Wednesday, February 25, listing session times, topics, speakers, a 15-minute break, general session on crowdfunding, and an evening happy hour, dinner, and trivia at AIC.
Event schedule with blue accents titled Thursday, February 26. It lists times for breakfast, breakout sessions, networking, lunch, and closing remarks at the ESO Summit, with speakers and session topics detailed.

faqs

What is the purpose of the ESO Summit?

The ESO Summit is designed to bring together organizations and individuals who support entrepreneurship across Arkansas. The event focuses on fostering innovation, collaboration, best practice sharing, and problem-solving to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Arkansas.

Who should attend the ESO Summit?

The ESO Summit is ideal for anyone involved in supporting entrepreneurs, including ecosystem builders, community leaders, chamber executives, economic develoeprs, university partners, investors, and those interested in the growth of entrepreneurship in Arkansas. Entrepreneurs are welcome to attend the summit, however, the content is geared towards those who support entrepreneurs versus direct assistance to entrepreneurs themselves.

What topics will be covered during the summit?

The summit will feature a diverse range of topics, including ecosystem building, entrepreneurial success in rural areas, access to capital, and more. Attendees can also participate in speed networking, lightning talks, and other interactive sessions.

What is included in the registration fee?

The registration fee covers access to all sessions, workshops, and networking events, including all conference meals. Participants will also receive event materials and resources, and enjoy refreshments throughout the summit.

Where can I stay during the ESO Summit?

We have a hotel block at a Home 2 Suites by Hilton in Conway. Look below for the link to the block!

We’ve reserved a hotel room block at Home2 Suites in Conway to make your ESO Summit experience as easy and convenient as possible. Book your room asap to secure the discounted rate!

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS of the 2026 eso summit!

Logo for ACC Capital featuring three vertical blue bars resembling a modern skyscraper above the company name. Below, the tagline reads, “Empowering Entrepreneurs” in uppercase letters on a light background.
Logo of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, featuring a teal square with a white abstract wave design above the foundations name in gray capital letters.
Logo of the Arkansas Research Alliance featuring a pattern of blue dots forming a stylized “A” above the words Arkansas Research Alliance on a white background.
The image features the text COMMUNITIES Unlimited on a plain background. COMMUNITIES is written in bold blue letters, while Unlimited is in gray regular font.
Logo with the words AR APEX ACCELERATOR in black and purple text, overlaid on the outline of the state of Arkansas.
The image shows the logo for Accelefund with the first letter A stylized in blue and orange, while the rest of the text is in dark blue on a light background.
Minimalist line drawing of a swan above the words Swan Impact Strategies in elegant, modern black font on a white background.
Illustration of an arm holding a torch, with the words RIGHT TO START in bold letters on a red and blue background.
The BioVentures logo features the word BioVentures with Bio in green and Ventures in dark gray. To the left, there is a stylized DNA helix made of green and gray dots.

2026 ESO SUMMIT VENDORS

Black stylized initials ZB overlapping, above the text ZEE BARFOOT, CPA PLLC on a white background.
Logo for Thrive Inc with the word thrive in dark blue lowercase letters. The dot of the i is a light blue flag, and the I in Inc is stylized as a flagpole under the flag.
The image features the text COMMUNITIES Unlimited on a plain background. COMMUNITIES is written in bold blue letters, while Unlimited is in gray regular font.
Logo for Caton Consulting featuring a colorful circular design with five abstract human figures in orange, green, purple, pink, and red, next to the companys name in bold and regular dark gray text.
The image shows the logo for Accelefund with the first letter A stylized in blue and orange, while the rest of the text is in dark blue on a light background.

Interested in sponsoring the 2026 eso summit?

Sponsorship chart showing Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Vendor levels with different benefits, including tickets, keynote opportunity, panelist participation, logo display, booth at expo, and verbal recognition.

Become a vital part of Arkansas’s leading ESO Summit as a sponsor and play an essential role in Arkansas’s economic development, connecting with leaders and innovators focused on small business growth. Contact Grace Rains for more information, grace@arconductor.org.

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