The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) is a statewide network of business assistance centers in Arkansas, embedded in universities, that helps entrepreneurs launch, sustain, and grow for-profit small businesses. Its mission is to offer confidential consulting, market research, technical assistance, training, and funding guidance to startups, expanding firms, and technology ventures. ASBTDC is part of the national SBDC network and is funded in part through the U.S. Small Business Administration and partner universities.
Key Information Table (for a Representative Office: Lead Center, Little Rock)
Below is a table for the Lead Center (Little Rock), which many clients use as a central reference. Regional offices will have analogous but slightly different details.
| Item | Details |
| Address | Donald W. Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development, 2nd Floor, 2801 South University Ave, Little Rock, AR 72204 |
| Contact Number | 501-916-3700 (Lead Center) |
| Email ID | leadcenter@asbtdc.org |
| Timings | Typically Mon-Fri 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; select Saturdays / event hours by schedule; some offices may have earlier or later hours depending on region. |
| Facilities | Confidential consulting rooms; meeting / training rooms for workshops; market research resources; event / webinar infrastructure; campus visitor parking; visitor access to physical office space. Note: no standard coworking lounge, no permanent shared-desk café in most offices. |
| Official Website | https://asbtdc.org |
| Target Audience | Startups, small businesses, technology-innovators, entrepreneurs, home-based businesses, expanding firms, students with business ideas, nonprofit entrepreneurs seeking for-profit spin-offs. |
Facilities & Services
ASBTDC does not generally function as a coworking space provider in the traditional sense (shared desks, café lounges etc.), but offers many more specialized facilities and services relevant for business support:
- Consulting / Advisory Services: One-on-one confidential consulting (free) on business startup, growth, financial analysis, marketing and business planning.
- Market Research & Data: ASBTDC gives clients access to up-to-date market research, feasibility studies, industry data, and business intelligence to help decision-making.
- Training & Workshops: Regular seminars, webinars, events on topics such as financing, marketing, commercialization of technology, etc.
- Tech Commercialization Support: For technology-driven or innovation-based startup ideas, they have guidance around intellectual property, SBIR/STTR, feasibility, commercialization.
- Special Programs: For example, the “Build Your Own Business (BYOB)” initiative for students at UA Little Rock, with virtual office hours and mentorship.
- Multiple Regional/ University-based Offices: ASBTDC has its Lead Center in Little Rock, plus regional offices in Fayetteville (University of Arkansas), Jonesboro (Arkansas State University), Fort Smith (UAFS), Magnolia, Russellville (ATU), West Memphis, etc. Clients typically work through the regional office nearest them.
- Parking & Physical Meeting Spaces: While ASBTDC centers are housed in university buildings or state-partner facilities, many offices have meeting rooms for client consultations, small workshops, and physical space for appointments. On-campus parking is usually available (visitor parking at partner universities). But large coworking amenities (lounges, cafés, etc.) are not part of the standard offer.
Google Maps Location
Timings & Working Hours
ASBTDC’s hours vary by region / regional office. From regularly published schedules:
- Many regional offices are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Some offices / seminar/workshop schedules include Saturday hours (e.g. regional training / consulting events) in select locations. For example, the ASBTDC at ASU (Jonesboro) is reported to open Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
- ASBTDC also runs virtual office hours in certain programs, such as the BYOB initiative (first and third Fridays, 1-4 p.m.) by appointment.
Because each regional center is differently located (campus-based), hours may differ; prospective clients are advised to check with the specific regional office.
Accessibility
Because ASBTDC centers are located in university settings across Arkansas, accessibility is tied closely to each campus. Some factors:
- Airports: The Lead Center in Little Rock is served by Clinton National Airport; Fayetteville is served by Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport; and regional airports near Fort Smith, Jonesboro, etc.
- Public Transit, Rail, Metro: Many university campuses have local bus or city transit access. However, as Arkansas is less metro-dense, rail / subway / metro access is limited. Clients often drive or use shuttle/transit if available in their city.
- Parking: Visitor parking is typically available at university campuses; clients may need to use designated visitor or metered parking.
- Proximity of Offices: Because there are many regional offices, most business owners in Arkansas can find an office not too far, rather than traveling long distances.
Pros & Cons (Based on Feedback & Public Information)
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers free and confidential consulting which is very valuable to early-stage business owners. | Because many facilities are in university settings, amenities are basic; may lack the comforts of premium coworking spaces (e.g. cafés, lounge, community events beyond workshops). |
| Excellent market research and resource access for Arkansas businesses, including specialty knowledge about Arkansas industries. | Operating hours sometimes limited; weekend or after-hours access is not universal; some clients may find scheduling with consultants requires advance notice. |
| Statewide network: many regional offices make access easier; clients do not always need to travel to the capital. | Public transit / mass transit accessibility can be weak in certain regions, meaning reliance on car/vehicle; parking rules/visitor parking can vary. |
| Specialized support for technology commercialization, startups, grants, SBIR/STTR, as well as traditional small-business tasks (marketing, financing, etc.). | Since many services are free, there may be high demand; some clients may experience wait times or limited slots for consulting or events. |
| Flexibility: virtual office hours, webinars, remote consulting, plus in-person options. | The physical infrastructure (meeting rooms, offices) is not consistent across all regional offices; some smaller offices may have more limited space or availability. |
