The Venture Center, Standard Lithium launch nation’s first lithium technology accelerator
by July 14, 2025 8:59 pm 1,209 views

The Venture Center on Monday (July 14) in El Dorado launched the Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator (ALTA) — the first U.S.-based accelerator dedicated to lithium and battery supply chain innovation.
The three-week program connects hand-picked energy technology startups with Arkansas-based lithium producers such as Standard Lithium, alongside academic, government and economic development partners. ALTA is designed to position Arkansas as the epicenter of lithium technology innovation, while advancing U.S. leadership in battery supply chain solutions and accelerating commercial deployment of next-generation energy technologies.
The 2025 inaugural cohort features three companies developing breakthrough solutions across mineral processing, geothermal deployment, and battery materials:
- Telescope Innovations — automating and optimizing lithium and critical mineral processing;
- RAM Geothermal — deploying geothermal solutions in Arkansas’ Smackover region; and
- Nano One – patented cathode production for lithium-ion batteries to support localization, cost, permitting, and security goals.
“We are very excited to launch the Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator, our newest and potentially most impactful program for the state’s long-term economic benefit, and the first industry-driven lithium battery supply chain accelerator in the country,” said Arthur Orduña, executive director of The Venture Center. “It was born out of our founding support for Secretary Hugh McDonald’s first Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit last year and the strong relations that collaboration helped us develop with Standard Lithium, the other major producers and stakeholders committed to building this nascent industry. Collectively, we decided to leverage our business-driven industry accelerator model that has been successful in fintech and veteran-owned small business programs and focus it on helping to build Arkansas’ position as the emerging leader in both lithium production and innovation by bringing the best and brightest technology companies to the state with the goal of having them plant their flag in Arkansas.”
The program will take place across three key Arkansas regions — El Dorado and Magnolia, Little Rock, and Northwest Arkansas — and includes curated meetings, pitch opportunities, and pilot planning sessions with lithium producers, researchers, government officials and investors.
Participating cohort companies will gain pilot opportunities with Arkansas-based lithium producers, access to private and non-dilutive investors, increased visibility with industry media and analysts and support from economic development leaders on establishing an Arkansas presence.
“The U of A is excited to join with our industry and ESO partners to welcome the first ALTA cohort to the state,” said Erik Pollock, director of the University of Arkansas Stable Isotope Lab. “We look forward to showing off the people and expertise of the university and demonstrating how we are willing and uniquely able to help with the development of the Arkansas lithium economy.”
“The ALTA program is just another example of the state’s dedication to supporting the nascent lithium industry and maximizing the potential economic impact of Smackover lithium brine to Arkansas,” said Jesse Edmonson, director of government relations for Standard Lithium. “Investing in lithium extraction and processing innovation as well as complimentary energy technologies like next-generation geothermal will put the state of Arkansas at the forefront of building domestic critical mineral supply chains and securing America’s energy future. The Smackover Lithium joint venture couldn’t be more excited to support this important initiative from the state.”
ALTA is led by The Venture Center, with support from industry partners Standard Lithium and other producers, academic partners University of Arkansas, South Arkansas College, and Southern Arkansas University, and funding support from the Walton Family Foundation.
The program will conclude with a Demo Day in Northwest Arkansas on July 31. To learn more about ALTA and the 2025 cohort, visit venturecenter.co.