University of Arkansas

Institute of Higher Education | Economic Development

Project-Based Client in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025

Arkansas Capital Scan

In 2020, the University of Arkansas’ Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship envisioned a new project to expand the capital inflows and performance of venture investment in the state of Arkansas. Based on an ongoing research project done by the University of Oregon, this project aimed to create and maintain a view of the landscape of capital resources in an effort to identify gaps and opportunities at the state level, while illuminating gaps where additional private funds could be deployed to help entrepreneurs connect to capital sources.

After five months of planning and data collection, the University of Arkansas contracted Gray Ink to support data analysis and lead technical writing for the first Arkansas Capital Scan. The Capital Scan team identified policymakers and stakeholders with influence in policy and programming as the primary audience for the report, followed by entrepreneurs, investors, and organizations supporting entrepreneurs throughout the state as the secondary audience.

Client Goals

  • Identify and understand trends in capital access for businesses across Arkansas, including geographic, demographic, and structural disparities

    Develop a comprehensive yet actionable report, designed to be accessible to policymakers, funders, and the general public

How We Supported

  • Shaped the report’s analytical framework by recommending and implementing key data dimensions, including region, race, and capital structures

  • Analyzed multi-year funding flows to surface disparities and investment trends across sectors

  • Translated complex datasets into actionable insights and designed data visualizations to highlight patterns and ensure accessibility for diverse audiences

  • Developed case studies to illustrate how Arkansas businesses accessed and utilized capital

  • Led authorship of the full report, integrating data analysis, narrative framing, and strategic recommendations

The Arkansas Capital Scan reports are available online