Multiple startup programs launch, hosted in Northwest Arkansas

Area businesses and organizations recently announced various accelerators, incubators and other programs supporting startups. Following are the programs that recently launched or are underway in Northwest Arkansas.

Retail Accelerator
The Ozark Retail Accelerator, which aims to help companies get their products into large retail chains, recently launched its inaugural cohort of 12 companies from across Arkansas.

The accelerator, overseen by Bentonville-based Act-II Capital Holdings, is designed to help consumer packaged goods companies strengthen their product offerings, prepare for placement in large retail chains, and build a sustainable, scalable business.

The cohort includes startups from across multiple retail sectors, including food and beverage, personal care, home and garden, and pet care.

Following is the spring 2026 cohort: Conway-based Barham’s Ozark Beef, founded by John Edwin “Ed” Linck Jr.; Fayetteville-based Carbon Chicken, founded by Richard Ims; Fayetteville-based femPAQ Inc., founded by April Roy; Bentonville-based Hillfolk, founded by Beatrice Apple; Bentonville-based Mom’s Kitchen B&B LLC, founded by Daniel Schroeder; Bentonville-based Muckender, founded by Joshua Stanley; Rogers-based Natural State Beverage Co., founded by Ty Cloud; Newport-based New Creations Manufacturer LLC, founded by Dwight Davis; Farmington-based Pedal Pops, founded by Mike Thompson; Garfield-based Power Up Pickles, founded by Katie Barrow; Bentonville-based Roasties, founded by Collin Whittington; and Corning-based Sam & Sam’s Products, founded by Carrie Elizabeth Luter.

The 12-week hybrid program combines digital components with in-person events at the start and end of the cohort that take place in Northwest Arkansas. Participants will have access to retail operators, former buyers and category leaders who have built, scaled and launched supplier brands within some of the largest retailers. The program’s core team includes former merchants and suppliers with more than 150 years of combined retail experience.

Act-II Capital Holdings received $200,000 from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to develop and operate the accelerator. The strategy and innovation firm is partnering with the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce and Benedict Enterprises.

Lithium Accelerator
The Venture Center, in partnership with Standard Lithium and the University of Arkansas, recently hosted the third cohort of the Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator, the nation’s first accelerator dedicated to lithium and battery supply chain innovation.

The accelerator connects energy-technology startups with Arkansas-based lithium producers, and academic, government and economic-development partners. It’s designed to “cement 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,” according to a news release.

Following are the companies in the cohort: Entegris POCO Materials, a subsidiary of Billerica, Mass.-based Entegris Inc.; Pasadena, Calif.-based NewGenium; and South Portland, Maine-based Western Cam.

The accelerator’s programs took place in El Dorado/Magnolia, Little Rock, and Northwest Arkansas and featured producer meetings, research and lab visits, workshops, investor roundtables and pitch opportunities. Participating companies gained pathways to pilots with Arkansas-based lithium producers, access to private and non-dilutive capital, market visibility and support from economic development leaders on establishing an Arkansas presence.

Last year, the Venture Center received $150,000 from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for the accelerator. The Walton Family Foundation also provided financial support. Other supporters include Exxon, Tetra Technologies, Corzan, Rose Law Firm, Ghidotti Communications, Blue Flame Minerals, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, and Terra Volta.

ScaleUp Accelerator
Bentonville-based Endeavor Heartland recently selected nine companies for its spring 2026 ScaleUp Accelerator, a three-month program supporting business growth.

The high-growth companies are innovating across data analytics, supply chain, marketing technology and consumer products. Over the three months, they’ll take part in workshops, mentorship and events in Bentonville to support their growth.

Following are the companies in the spring cohort: Chicago-based Arvist; Bentonville-based Black Paper Party; Bethesda, Md.-based Dress It Up Dressing; Buenos Aires, Argentina-based Kigüi; Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based MishiPay; Miami-based Supply Veins; Boston-based Swapt; Ahmedabad, India-based Vantage 9; and San Diego-based Vizer.

ScaleUp Accelerator is supported with matching funds from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). Endeavor Heartland received $150,000 from the AEDC as part of $2 million in funding awarded last year to 12 Arkansas-based accelerator programs through the Arkansas Business and Technology Accelerator Grant Program. The initial ScaleUp Accelerator cohort, which was in 2022, comprised women-owned companies.

Cycling Accelerator
The Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA) recently named the 10 companies participating in its 2026 cohort. The selected companies come from six countries and offer cycling-related technologies, including products and data, to improve safety and performance for bikes and cyclists.

Following are the selected companies: Turnhout, Belgium-based Aerobag; Grenoble, France-based Aeroscale; Sandnes, Norway-based BikeFolder; Bristol, U.K.-based Convoy; Grenoble, France-based eBikeLabs; Little Rock-based hDrop Technologies Inc.; Buffalo, N.Y.-based Kav; Boston-based LLume; Ottawa, Ontario-based MyVeloFit; and Bentonville-based Trailytic.

The program is designed to help technology companies in the cycling industry explore business opportunities in the United States and Arkansas. The last two weeks of the program take place in Bentonville and end with a public Demo Day on June 10 at Compton Gardens, where the companies will showcase their innovations.

The accelerator is supported by a $125,000 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and matching funds from the Walton Family Foundation.

GORP Returns
The Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP), the University of Arkansas’ outdoor recreation business incubator, recently launched its eighth cohort with six participants. The 12-week program, which runs through May, includes companies focused on cycling, water sports apparel and outdoor education.

Following comprises the spring cohort: BikeWhip, founded by Jeff Ireland of Bentonville; Oakdrop, founded by Alex Stoeffl of Bentonville; Ozark Float Park, founded by Michael Barron of Springdale; Rewilding Lab, founded by Dr. Dana Klisanin of Fayetteville; Fayetteville-based Wander Outdoor Adventure Hub, founded by William Edgar and Jen Marie; and Vault Mobility, founded by Gabriel Cerasale of Bentonville.

Early this year, the UA’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which oversees GORP, received a $1.4 million grant from the Walton Charitable Support Foundation to support GORP for an additional three years. The grant is expected to allow GORP to host five cohorts.

The Bentonville-based semiannual cohort program launched in spring 2022 with four startups. The program supports outdoor startups through workshop training, mentoring, access to university internships, and product and service development to help them scale globally. It also provides each company up to $15,000 in non-dilutive seed funding.

In the past three years, 47 startups have expanded their businesses through GORP. More than 85% of GORP companies are still in-market, with the majority experiencing sales growth. Notable GORP participants include Gnargo Bikes, Jane Wick, Roasties, Yonder Adventure Co. and GeoShower.

GORP has also supported more than 500 entrepreneurs through its a la carte services and complimentary GORP ARound the State program, which include workshops, networking events, one-on-one consulting and free online video trainings.