7 startups to participate in UA outdoor recreation incubator

The sixth cohort of Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) includes companies focused on cycling, firearms, outdoor apparel and camping, the University of Arkansas announced Tuesday (Aug. 13). The 12-week incubator starts Aug. 27.

Leaders from the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation oversee the program. GORP supports startups building products and services in the outdoor recreation industry by providing workshop training, team mentoring and business development consulting to help them scale.

GORP’s fall program runs through Nov. 12 and provides up to $15,000 in non-dilutive seed funding per company. This type of funding doesn’t require the owner to give up equity in the company.

Phil Shellhammer had led GORP since its inception but handed leadership duties to Zoe Buonaiuto after he was promoted to executive director of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OEI). Buonaiuto, director of business incubation, is responsible for overall GORP strategy and program expansion. She’ll continue the work she handled as associate director of business incubation, which included helping secure federal and state funding to bring GORP resources statewide.

“We’re proud of the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program’s success in developing entrepreneurs in our community, and I’m delighted to steward its impact moving forward,” Buonaiuto said. “GORP manifests regional and statewide priorities in making the outdoor economy central to Arkansas’ identity and to the Arkansan experience.”

Windy Elstermeier, founder of Jane Wick and fall 2023 GORP participant, will help with programming and offer consulting for the fall 2024 cohort.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is supporting the cohort this fall. It’s sponsoring FireWatchAI, a Bella Vista startup focused on building electronic systems to speed up the training time of first-time firearm owners and increase the fun, accessibility and proficiency of users in modern marksmanship. FireWatchAI is led by Jeffery Montgomery, a 2013 UA graduate and graduate student in the master of science in product innovation program.

Following are the other six startups in the fall cohort.
Coffee Campfire Starter
The Bentonville startup combines upcycled coffee waste with all-natural materials to produce a fire starter that eliminates plastic and petroleum. Matt Argo is the co-founder and will be joined by former GORP founder Collin Whittington on the project.

Natural State Carbon Repair
The Fayetteville startup provides composite repairs on bicycle frames or any composite product that has sustained damage or has manufacturing defects. Bradley Walsh is the founder.

Open Access Bike Library
The Bentonville startup offers an affordable way to test e-bikes and promote a more sustainable environment. The startup is led by Maddy Gabe, a rising junior at the Thaden School in Bentonville. Project advisers include Zach Springer and John Shoffner of Gnargo Bike Co., a fall 2022 GORP participant.

Ozark Technical Products
The Bentonville startup builds modular storage products to promote gear accessibility and flexibility for outdoor activities. The company founder is Hunt Nosari, a 2021 UA mechanical engineering graduate.

Sandbox Manufacturing
The Bella Vista startup designs and produces custom protective gear and accessories for mountain bike riders using additive manufacturing in Northwest Arkansas. The company’s founders include Matt Organiscak and Erika Heintz, who recently moved to Northwest Arkansas.

Sturdy Used Gear
The Bentonville consignment shop offers space to purchase and sell high-end used outdoor gear. The startup aims to make accessing the outdoors more sustainable and affordable. The company was founded by Kelsey Miller, a 2015 UA graduate.

A demo night for the fall cohort is set for Nov. 12 at Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville. Link here to register to attend the free event.

Since its founding in spring 2022, 31 startups have launched and expanded businesses through GORP cohorts. GORP has also supported more than 300 entrepreneurs through its al-la-carte services, which include workshops, networking events, one-on-one consulting and access to co-working space. GORP is located at The Collaborative, the UA’s education and research hub in Bentonville.