Little Rock, Ark., September 26, 2025 – Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses today welcomed 33 entrepreneurs from across Arkansas to the second cohort of its distinguished educational program. The second cohort is a key part of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses’ $100 million Investment in Rural Communities, designed to empower entrepreneurs in underserved areas. The investment plans to support rural small business owners in 20 states over five years and to date, has reached 12 states. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, which first launched in Arkansas in 2023, focuses on empowering and supporting entrepreneurs by providing a comprehensive business education program and access to capital.
Small businesses drive the economy in Arkansas, making up 99.3% of Arkansas businesses and employing nearly half of the workforce in the state. Throughout the 10,000 Small Businesses program, business owners can expect to go through a 12-week curriculum that includes practical lessons on critical skills including financial management, leadership and negotiation that can be immediately implemented into their businesses. This foundation enables them to develop an actionable growth plan, specific to their business, as well as build a network of like-minded entrepreneurs through the alumni community which includes the 22 entrepreneurs who participated in the first cohort in Arkansas. Survey data found that since completing the program, 68% of rural small businesses grew revenues and 60% expanded their workforce.
Goldman Sachs welcomed the second cohort in Arkansas with a special event at the Robinson Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, attended by U.S. Representative French Hill, Goldman Sachs executives and numerous 10,000 Small Businesses participants and community stakeholders. Goldman Sachs’ educational partner in the region is University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College.
“From the agricultural powerhouse of the Arkansas Delta to the commercial horsepower of Little Rock, small businesses are the engine that keep Arkansas moving,” said Asahi Pompey, global head of Corporate Engagement and chair of the Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs. “As this new cohort of small business owners rises to join the ranks of more than 17,000 of our alumni, we are rolling up our sleeves alongside them – helping unleash economic growth across America’s heartland.”
"Having been an entrepreneur and community banker in Arkansas myself, I know the dedication it takes to build a business from the ground up and understand the challenges our small business owners face, particularly in accessing capital and education," said U.S. Representative French Hill. "Small businesses are the engines of our state's economy, fostering innovation, creating jobs, and increasing opportunities across our communities. Programs like the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program are vital for providing the practical training and resources that help empower these businesses to grow, succeed, and ultimately drive our economy forward."
Goldman Sachs’ $100 million Investment in Rural Communities provides comprehensive support to rural small businesses owners. The investment includes $75 million to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to provide loans to small businesses, $15 million in funding for the business education programs at local community colleges and $10 million in access to capital capacity-building grants. As part of the $100 million investment, Goldman Sachs committed a $20 million capital facility with leading Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Hope Enterprise Corporation. This facility reflects the firm’s commitment to entrepreneurship in Arkansas and will continue to empower rural small business owners in the state and across the Southern U.S.
This year, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses celebrates its 15th anniversary. The program has supported over 17,000 small businesses, representing over $27 billion in revenue and 307,000 employees nationwide. According to the most recent Impact Report for the nationwide program, six months after graduating, 66% of alumni reported increased revenue and 44% reported creating jobs. Additionally, nearly 90% said they grew confidence in critical business owner skills and 99% were likely to recommend the program to a friend or family member.
"The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program provided us with a practical toolkit, from financial forecasting to negotiation strategies, that has been invaluable to Just Peachy’s growth,” said Ryan Byrd, owner of Just Peachy in Little Rock, Arkansas and graduate of 10,000 Small Businesses. “Beyond the curriculum, the relationships and network built through 10KSB are truly some of the most impactful takeaways, and I look forward to continuing to build that community with the second Arkansas cohort.”
About Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing a comprehensive business education program and access to capital and business support services. Since its launch 15 years ago, 10,000 Small Businesses has served over 17,000 small businesses across the United States. The program has reached businesses from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Learn more at www.gs.com/10ksb.
About Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global financial institution that delivers a broad range of financial services to a large and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world.
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