The Shift: Heartland startups beckoned for investment deadlines

Entrepreneurs looking for investors, mentors or to build a network should know about two approaching deadlines. Why it matters: Capital investment gives startups and young companies resources to help them more rapidly grow into mature, profitable businesses.

Builders + Backers

Arkansas residents with "the most promising and innovative ideas" can apply for the fall cohort of the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator. Applications are due by Sept. 29.

• Participants receive $5,000 to use for experimentation to prove — or disprove — their ideas.
• They learn how to put abstractions into action, test them and communicate their value, while building a network of other "builders."
• The two-month program will be held virtually and starts November 7.

StartupNWA

Startups seeking early stage capital are invited to apply for StartupNWA's Venture Capital Immersions series to be held Oct. 29-30. Applications are due by Sept. 30.

• Applications are open to any company in the U.S., but startups based in the heartland are a particular focus.

Between the lines: At least 20 VC firms representing $4 billion in managed assets are confirmed to attend, including Atento Capital , Ingeborg Ventures , Revolution and Soma Capital .

Flashback: The inaugural VC Immersion event was held in Bentonville this past February.

• Serafina Lalany with the NWA Council told me 70 introductions were made during that event with only six visiting investors.

What we're watching: With the number of investors convened in our area during the past year, I'll be interested to see if the amount of NWA's investment capital increases in coming months.