Technology greenhouse opens after ‘seven-figure’ investment

A nearly 6,000-square-foot retail technology greenhouse recently opened on the fifth floor of Ledger in Bentonville that’s expected to help international food and retail supply chain companies expand their business in the region.

“Arkade represents a seven-figure private investment by Spring Capital,” said Kathryn Carlisle, director of portfolio operations at Arkade. Are Traasdahl, CEO of Bentonville-based retail technology company Crisp, founded Spring Capital.

“The investment reflects long-term confidence in Northwest Arkansas as an epicenter for innovation in consumer goods, retail, and supply chain — and a belief that the region’s collaborative culture can set a new standard for how global and emerging companies grow together,” Carlisle said.

Arkade was designed to be an office and a “collaborative social hub blending workspace, event programming, and flexible gathering spaces that support the broader innovation ecosystem across food, retail and supply chain industries,” Carlisle said.

The space will be a platform for “growth-stage innovators (hardware and software) and established brands, investors, and ecosystem partners to connect through programming, pilots and shared innovation initiatives. While some partners may maintain a presence in the space, Arkade’s focus is less about tenancy and more about activation. We are about helping mature startup companies engage with the region’s deep expertise in retail, logistics and consumer innovation.”

Existing collaborations include consumer packaged goods brands, technology and service providers like Crisp, and investment partners connected through initiatives, Carlisle said. Additional partnerships will be announced in the coming months.

A small global team with contributors in New York, Norway and other markets led the buildout of Arkade and network development, said Carlisle, who was the first full-time hire dedicated to operating Arkade. The plan is to have about 50 full-time members coworking within the space, with flexibility to expand as the community grows and the layout is reconfigured.