Supporting Women in STEM.

We help female entrepreneurs access non-dilutive federal research funding to develop their innovations and take them to market.

Together, we can.

In 2020, only three of the SBIR/STTR awards were given to women-owned businesses in Arkansas, representing only 13.6% of the total awards given to companies in Arkansas. This number is staggering compared to the total number of women and non-binary innovators. We want to rally around these entrepreneurs so that they can be supported in accessing these funding opportunities to develop their innovation and take it to market. Keep reading to learn how we work with female-identifying innovators.

What We Do

High risk, high reward technology. Built by women in STEM.

EMPOWER prepares women to apply for non-dilutive federal research funding for their high-risk, high-reward solutions. Our team is dedicated to providing women with the tools that they need to tackle the unique challenges of bringing their ideas to market. We are passionate about helping our innovators achieve non-dilutive funding through coaching, mentorship, and relationship building.

Tailored from Arkansas women’s needs, this accelerator is a virtual program with intermittent in-person events.

EMPOWER Accelerator

Want to explore more to see if this opportunity is right for you? Connect with Katie Thompson at a time that’s convenient for you.

Meet our team

  • Katie Thompson

    Executive Director

  • Marie Franco

    Project Associate

  • Astha Malhotra, PhD

    Advisor

  • Mahsa Haseli, PhD

    Advisor

  • Gurshagan Kandhola, PhD

    Advisor

  • Humeyra Ulusoy Erol, PhD

    Advisor

  • Angeline Rodriguez, PhD Candidate

    Advisor

Learn About Our Team

“Empower. It’s in each and every one of us, and it flourishes when we all come together.”

— Katie Thompson

We’d Love to Work with You.