Serial entrepreneur, co-founder headlines Heartland Challenge keynote event

The serial entrepreneur, who moved his company from California to Northwest Arkansas, and the co-founder of a venture capital firm that invests in underrepresented communities, is the first to win a global student startup competition held in Northwest Arkansas. The 5th Annual Heartland Challenge will focus on two keynote events.

Sober Sidekick Founder and CEO Chris Thompson will emcee the kickoff event on Friday, April 12th inside the Great Hall of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

The architect behind the world’s largest digital recovery platform, Thompson combines deep entrepreneurial talent with a passion for transformative social impact to revolutionize the world of recovery.

His Sober Sidekick app gamifies peer-to-peer support to form meaningful connections around issues people are afraid to discuss on any other social platform.

Thompson said moving the company to northwest Arkansas was a “huge step forward” as it tripled its user base to 400,000 people and was able to hire “great talent.”

“I strongly believe that Northwest Arkansas is becoming a new hub for medical innovation,” Thompson said. “We are so excited to connect with talented innovators from around the world and invite them to join us here.”

Mitch Brooks, co-founder and managing partner of High Street Equity Partners, will be the keynote speaker at the awards banquet on April 13 at the Leisure.

Based in Washington, DC, High Street invests in early-stage, high-growth technology companies in undervalued regions. Brooks said the company believes exceptional talent and innovative ideas know no boundaries.

“Nursing innovation is not just about investing capital; it’s about cultivating potential, empowering visionaries, and building partnerships that propel technology companies to new heights,” Brooks said. Told.

“At High Street Equity Partners, we believe in the transformative power of entrepreneurship, and events like the Heartland Challenge embody the spirit of collaboration and innovation that advances our mission.”

The Heartland Challenge, designed to simulate the venture capital raising process for high-growth companies, has awarded nearly $500,000 in prizes since it was first held virtually in spring 2020.


Medical device companies and software startups dominate this year’s competition, which includes 12 teams representing nine universities. A record 126 teams applied for this year’s event.


The overall winner will receive $50,000. The second place team will receive $25,000. 3rd place, $10,000. and fourth place for $5,000. The first and second place winners of the Elevator Pitch Contest, as determined by viewer voting, will receive $3,000 and $2,000, respectively.

“The Heartland Challenge embodies the spirit of resilience and innovation that characterizes Northwest Arkansas’ entrepreneurial spirit,” said Brent Williams, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business. ” he said.

“It’s exciting to see emerging startups and experienced investors come together to exchange ideas, form new partnerships and drive positive outcomes.”

In its third year, Startup Expo is a public showcase of competing companies. This free event will be held at leisure, include appetizers and drinks, and end with the audience voting for their favorite startup, with the winner receiving his $5,000. The final round between the top four teams will also be open to the public.

Past Heartland Challenge winners include technology startups focused on digital data storage, the music industry, improving cancer detection, and recycled-based building materials companies.

The competition is once again sponsored by Walton College, overseen by the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and with generous primary support from the Walton Family Philanthropic Support Foundation.

This year’s sponsors include title sponsor Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, premier sponsor New Road Capital Partners, and event and prize sponsors Visit Bentonville, Symbiosis, Cortado Ventures, Delta Solar, Cadron Capital, Arkansas Capital, Natural Capital, and Arkansas Blue. Includes Cross and Blue. Shields and Walton College’s Master of Financial Science program.

keynote speaker

• Mitch Brooks, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, High Street Equity Partners

• Chris Thompson, Founder and CEO of Sober Sidekick

finalist judge

• Clete Brewer, Managing Partner, NewRoad Capital Partners

• Rosa Hathaway, Head of Nonlocal Investments, Atento Capital

• MK Marsden, Revscale Co-Founder

• Tracy Poole, Managing Partner, 46 Venture Capital

• Bobby W. Sandage Jr., Managing Director, Lightchain Capital and the Paula and Roger Riney Foundation

• Chidozie Ugwumba, Managing Partner, SymBiosis Capital Management

Semi-finalist judge

• Jeff Amerine, Founder and Managing Director, Startup Junkie Consulting & Cadron Capital

• Canem Arkan, Managing Director, Endeavor Heartland & 412 Angels

• Ramsay Ball, Cannon Capital Manager

• Michael Basch, Founder and General Partner, Atento Capital

• Albert Behr, CEO, Behr & Associates, Inc.

• Tracy Black, Partner at New Road Capital Partners

• Jordan Carlisle, COO, your humble sidekick

• Robyn Goforth, Chief Scientific Officer, Biologics, MD

• Eric Howerton, Head of Walmart Innovation, Flywheel

• Douglas Hutchings, CEO of Delta Solar

• Spencer Jones, CEO of LaPovations

• Garrott McClintock, AcreTrader Chief Operating Officer

• Drew McKinnon, Midland Regional President, Main Street Health

• Heather R. Nelson, Founder and Principal | Global Headwaters, LLC Co-Founder and Partner | Seal Solar

• Michael Paladino, RevUnit Co-Founder and Chairman

• Anup Prasanna, Head of Corporate Affairs Engineering, Walmart Global Technology

• April Seggebruch, Managing Partner, Good Gravy Group

• Joshua Stanley, Studio Director/CEO, Fieldbook Venture Studio | Cartwheel Studio

• Jeff Stinson, Founder of HealthTech AR

• Permjot Valia, Co-Founder, Nava Develop, Inc.

• Lawrence Watkins, Head of Investments, Atento Capital, Tulsa

• Stan Zylowski, Movista Co-Founder and Chairman