Highstep: NWA CEO/Founder Session
Event Details:
We're bringing together Northwest Arkansas-based CEOs / Founders of agencies or professional services to discuss the vision of Highstep, and how this group will work together to create value.
High Step Mentor Kickoff Meeting
May 16, 5:30 to 7:30
Welcome and Introduction (5 mins)
· Opening remarks about High Step and its mission and vision
· Overview of the Agenda
Getting to Know One Another (45 mins)
· Participants will be divided into small groups of 5 people, so there will be 3 tables. Michael, Josh, and Matt will be the facilitators at each table.
· Each person will be seated with a different group every 15 minutes
· At each table, participants will answer one of the following icebreaker questions of their choice (5 min each; we will have a timer and tell the group to switch to the next person):
1. What inspired you to start your professional services firm?
2. What was the biggest challenge you faced in growing your company?
3. Share one valuable lesson you learned from your exit experience.
4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self regarding managing a professional services firm?
Break (5 mins)
Accelerator Program Details (20 mins)
· Explain the two-phase structure (competition and investment phase)
· Outline the criteria for company selection and evaluation process
· Discuss the mentorship opportunities for the selected companies
Open Discussion (40 mins)
· Invite participants to share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions
· Encourage networking and potential collaborations among the group
Next Steps and Closing Remarks (5 mins)
· Summarize the key points from the meeting
· Outline the next steps in the accelerator process
· Thank participants for their time and contributions
Overview:
Arkansas has become a hub for professional services firms focused on serving the Retail Value Chain, with many experiencing successful exits north of $50M. Highstep is a new initiative aiming to double down on this strength by launching 10 new AI-powered professional services startups in Arkansas over 5 months.
By combining Arkansas' RVC expertise with cutting-edge AI, Highstep will create "scalable services" models with operational leverage akin to software companies. The founders will participate in an incubation program providing support, while 5 companies will receive $100k investments and be paired with RVC services CEO/founders mentors.
Infusing generative AI into services processes from the start can transform traditional models into highly productive, repeatable revenue businesses.
The goal is for Highstep to cement Arkansas' leadership in the retail value chain for decades to come by creating a launchpad for AI-powered agencies -- and this group will be the force multiplier to the model. By successfully executing this vision, Highstep will catalyze a new generation of scalable, tech-enabled professional services firms as well as exits mirroring earlier pioneers.
The next agency success stories are waiting to be written, and they will be inspired by the success stories authored by the people in this room.