An Arkansas education nonprofit, in formation

Rethink what’s possible.
Build it here.

RE-STATE is being built to prepare next-generation learners for a technology-driven future and help startup founders turn ideas into viable businesses, through practical learning, mentorship and business-building support.

Join the founding conversation What RE-STATE means
Prepare people Build businesses Strengthen Arkansas

The name

RE-

Rethink.

Look again at what comes next for Arkansas learners, founders and communities. Ask better questions. Try new tools. Keep what works.

STATE

A state of mind. And the state we call home.

01

It starts with wonder. Learners explore emerging technology, apply it to real problems and see new possibilities for their own futures.

Why we exist

Expand opportunity and strengthen Arkansas’s economic future through education, innovation and entrepreneurship.

01

Prepare people

Help next-generation learners prepare for a technology-driven future by connecting education with practical experience, emerging technology, real-world challenges and experienced mentors.

02

Build businesses

Help startup founders do the work behind the idea: understanding customers, developing products, building operations and preparing to pursue growth and investment.

03

Strengthen Arkansas

Bring people, expertise and resources together so more people can learn, build and grow here.

Who we serve

Two connected pathways.

High school students build a small robot with laptops while a mentor leans in to help

Pathway one

Next-generation learners

We plan to give learners practical opportunities to explore emerging technology, apply it to real problems and learn from experienced mentors.

  • Connect learning with practical application
  • Introduce technology, innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Create connections to mentors and real-world experience
  • Help participants see possibilities for their own futures
Two startup founders and an experienced mentor review a laptop at a workshop table

Pathway two

Startup founders

We plan to help founders work on the business behind the idea: what they are building, who needs it, how it will operate and what needs to be in place before pursuing growth and investment.

  • Practical guidance, not just inspiration or introductions
  • Expertise matched to each founder’s stage and needs
  • Stronger execution and operational readiness
  • Investment readiness as part of building a sound business

How we work

Three functions. One shared direction.

A collaborator that helps existing organizations create shared impact.

  1. Connect

    Bring people and organizations together to share capabilities, understand community needs and create opportunity.

  2. Catalyze

    Help partners turn ideas and community challenges into action by connecting resources, supporting follow-through and tracking outcomes.

  3. Advance

    Strengthen skills and infrastructure, expand opportunity, and support education and workforce development with measurable community impact.

Local business owners, educators and young adults talk in small groups at an evening gathering in a brick downtown venue

Alongside, not instead

RE-STATE is being built to complement the organizations already supporting education, entrepreneurship and economic development in Arkansas.

  • Start with participant needs, not a predetermined solution
  • Collaborate and refer when another organization is better positioned to help
  • Focus on useful support and follow-through

Accountability

We’ll measure what happens next.

We intend to track what participants learn, what founders build and what happens after, from completed projects and business milestones to longer-term education, employment and business outcomes.

  1. NeedIdentify the need with partners
  2. LeadName a responsible lead
  3. MeasureAgree on a meaningful outcome
  4. Follow upSet a date, learn and adjust

Get involved

Bring your expertise, a real-world challenge or a commitment to mentorship.

Help us turn learning and promising ideas into practical progress.

Local businesses

Connect learning with real business challenges, give experienced professionals meaningful ways to mentor and help founders build stronger companies.

Educators and mentors

Open doors to practical experience, share what you know and help learners and founders take their next step.

Government and economic development

Help us identify priorities, connect existing resources and shape a focused pilot with clear goals and measurable progress.

Founding partner conversations are underway. Programs, eligibility and geography will be defined through launch planning.

Questions

Common questions

Is RE-STATE a technology education organization or a startup support organization?

Both are part of the mission. We are building two connected pathways: practical technology learning and mentorship for next-generation learners, and mentorship and business-building support for startup founders. We plan to deliver this work alongside existing organizations.

Does RE-STATE invest in startups?

Our focus is helping startup founders build their businesses and prepare to pursue investment. RE-STATE is not an investor and does not promise access to capital.

Who will you serve first?

Our two primary audiences are next-generation learners and startup founders. Businesses, educators, mentors and existing education and economic-development organizations are collaborators and supporters. Initial eligibility, program scope and geography will be defined through launch planning.

How will you measure success?

We intend to track what participants learn, what founders build and what happens next, from completed projects and business milestones to longer-term education, employment and business outcomes.

Why “RE-STATE”?

RE means to rethink. STATE is a state of curiosity, of planning and of building, and it is also the place we call home. Arkansas is the proposed founding chapter.