Arkansas' top accelerators and incubators handpicked for you
Learn from Arkansas' foremost start-up experts who know the ins and outs of scaling start-ups.
Choosing The Right Accelerator
Start-ups are hard. Choose an accelerator that guides you in the right direction.
"I doubt that Stripe would have worked without YC. It's that simple."
Patrick Collison, Founder, Stripe
"Accelerators claim they are in it for the long haul — I call bullshit"
Chris Lynch, Founder, Atlas Venture
"The network we built with Techstars was incredibly valuable during and after the program."
Raj Aggarwal, Founder, Localytics
What truly matters
Strategic depth in their thinking
Look for partners not investors
Do they know why they succeeded in the past?
Mentor quality over quantity
Discover your perfect match
No accelerator or incubator is perfect for every start-up. Your business’s context and constraints matter. Identify your perfect match by answering this short questionnaire.
Arkansas's Top Accelerators By Neighborhoods
Comparing Accelerators
This page covers the top accelerators and incubators in Arkansas.
However if geography isn’t a hard constraint, and you are only looking for the best incubators and accelerators across the US, check here.
Brief Overview Of Different Accelerators
1) Fuel
Fuel is a 12-week enterprise-ready accelerator managed by Startup Junkie, designed to match seed and growth-stage tech startups with significant enterprise partners to expedite the adoption of practical technology solutions. This program emphasizes operational value training tailored to the needs of high-growth startups, rather than focusing solely on traditional venture capital coaching. Each cohort consists of 8 to 10 startups specializing in various domains, including HealthTech and AI/ML. Over its history, the accelerator has conducted 7 previous programs, with a total of 61 companies participating. These startups have secured 116 enterprise pilots or contracts, highlighting the effectiveness of the program in facilitating strategic business relationships. Participants benefit from valuable resources such as strategic connections with corporate partners and a network of experienced mentors, along with tailored support and mentorship throughout the program. The objective is to empower startups across diverse industries, including Agriculture Tech, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare Tech, Logistics and Supply Chain, and SaaS, to become truly enterprise-ready.
2) The Venture Center Spark
This institution operates an empowering 10-week accelerator program based in Central Arkansas, co-founded with the Little Rock Regional Chamber. The initiative is designed for local business owners and entrepreneurs, allowing for an annual intake of up to ten startups. It provides crucial support through mentorship from experienced professionals and connections to valuable resources. The program emphasizes essential business skills, covering areas such as sales, marketing, and finance, equipping participants with the tools necessary for growth. Additionally, startups benefit from increased brand visibility and insights from subject matter experts. Lee Watson is a significant figure contributing to its strategic direction. Focused on industries like Fintech and Gaming, it plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation and facilitating high-growth potential for local entrepreneurs, ultimately aiming to transform them into viable businesses.
3) The Venture Center
An esteemed entrepreneur support organization, this institution is dedicated to transforming startups into viable, high-growth businesses. It operates award-winning accelerator programs designed for both early-stage and growth-stage companies, particularly within the fintech sector. The accelerator focuses on validating solutions to real-world problems and enhancing go-to-market strategies, emphasizing collaboration between pre-vetted fintech startups and industry experts, including C-level executives and financial service professionals. Notably, they have partnered with the Independent Community Bankers of America to establish the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator, the world's first community bank-focused fintech accelerator. The program lasts 12 weeks, providing startups with premium mentorship, systematic programming, and essential networking opportunities that facilitate introductions to the investor community. While specific metrics on the number of startups and funding figures are not detailed, the track record indicates that alumni have raised billions of dollars and engaged with thousands of financial service decision-makers. Under the leadership of founder Lee Watson, this organization remains a pivotal entity driving innovation in the financial services industry, significantly impacting startups' growth trajectories.
4) Conductor
Conductor is a public-private partnership that accelerates innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment. The accelerator is a prominent program that supports early-stage startups by providing essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Operating as a startup incubator, it aids companies in developing their products, refining business models, and attracting investment across diverse sectors, including technology, healthcare, sustainability, and more. Startups specializing in artificial intelligence, biotech, fintech, and clean energy particularly benefit from the program. The accelerator typically spans several months, during which participants receive guidance on strategy, product development, and scaling from experienced mentors. Additionally, the organization offers a collaborative co-working space and hosts regular networking events that connect startups with industry experts and potential investors. Educational workshops covering vital topics such as marketing and fundraising are also provided. Noteworthy are the demo days, where startups present their advancements to a broader audience, including investors and partners. With a proven track record of funding various startups, this initiative reinforces its commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth.
5) University of Arkansas - Office of Entrepreneurship
The Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation oversees the Bounds Accelerator, a prominent startup accelerator in Arkansas focused on harnessing emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). This initiative aims to foster digital transformation across sectors including retail, transportation, logistics, manufacturing, and supply chain systems. The program provides essential benefits including access to experienced mentors, dedicated interns from the university, and valuable educational resources on various business functionalities. Key dates in the program timeline are the application deadline on November 16, interviews from November 18-30, and the in-person cohort kickoff on January 11, 2024. The culmination of the program is a Demo Day on April 29, 2024, where participants compete for a non-dilutive cash award. Led by Cartwheel Startup Studio and the institution, the Bounds Accelerator collaborates with principal partners such as the AI Foundation, Coinbase, and Haun Ventures, ensuring a robust ecosystem for supported startups to thrive in industries such as Edtech, Ecommerce, and more, while facilitating connections with local customers for market validation.
6) GENESIS Technology Incubator
Located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the institution is committed to fostering economic growth by supporting technology-based ventures. The flagship Enterprise Program focuses on nurturing high-growth potential startups led by entrepreneurs experienced in driving early-stage ventures. This program offers essential resources and mentorship tailored to the needs and growth phases of each startup, ranging from ideation to scaling their businesses. Specializing in various domains, including biotechnology, clean energy, edtech, and general technology, the organization promotes innovation across these fields. It provides valuable benefits to qualifying participants, including access to intellectual property support, office space, and well-equipped research laboratories featuring specialized facilities such as wind tunnels and automation technology. While specific metrics regarding the number of startups and investors are not mentioned, it is evident that this incubator plays a vital role in aiding technology entrepreneurs in achieving economic viability. Through its comprehensive programs and resources, the institution is dedicated to enabling startups to thrive in the competitive technology landscape.
7) University of Central Arkansas - Innovation & Entrepreneurship
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship program in Conway provides a robust curriculum that prepares students for success in various business contexts, including corporate, governmental, and non-profit sectors. Emphasizing innovation and creative thinking, the curriculum includes courses in marketing, product development, small business finance, and new venture creation. Graduates develop vital skills such as creativity and problem-solving essential for the 21st-century global market. This initiative is fueled by The Conductor, a public-private collaboration supported by the Central Arkansas Venture Team, Startup Junkie Consulting, and Community Venture Foundation, which aids local startups and small businesses. The 20-week accelerator program takes place on Tuesday nights from 3-6 p.m. in Conway and culminates in a public Demo Day, showcasing participant innovations. Students benefit from expert faculty mentorship and professional networking through internships and study abroad programs in global hubs. They are encouraged to engage in student organizations like Phi Beta Lambda, fostering leadership and community involvement. The program's focus on practical skills and networking opportunities positions graduates for noteworthy careers in diverse business environments, particularly within the sectors of Edtech and General Tech.
8) HealthTech Arkansas
HealthTech Arkansas is a prominent healthcare accelerator and early-stage investment fund that bridges early-stage healthcare companies with disruptive technologies to local providers. Focusing on three key areasdigital health (software), connected medical devices, and diagnostic platformsthe program aims to drive innovation within the healthcare sector. Collaborating with the ten largest hospitals and health systems in the region, the organization promotes the generation of new ideas for healthcare innovations from clinicians and administrators. It features specialized initiatives like the HeartX Accelerator, dedicated to cardiovascular technologies, ensuring participating startups receive at least two pilot projects or clinical trials. The BioAR Trial Accelerator, launched in April 2023, supports biotherapeutics companies transitioning from late pre-clinical to early clinical stages by facilitating clinical trials within 12 months of entry. This virtual accelerator model allows for flexible collaboration with provider partners, eliminating geographic limitations. Companies are selected based on provider-driven criteria and are guaranteed upfront investment capital via SAFE or convertible notes, reinforcing its commitment to fostering healthcare innovation across biotech, fintech, and healthcare tech industries.
Top Reasons Start-ups Participate In Accelerators
Business management skills
Reaching the top is relatively easy. Staying there for years is difficult.
Investor connect
Accelerators give an opening to many locked doors.
Peer learning
There’s not enough time in the world to learn from one’s own mistakes. Peer learning helps.
Accelerator brand power
Like Ivy-League credentials, your start-up’s story benefits from an accelerators’ brand.
Why an accelerator might not be right for you
It's usually helpful to consider potential pitfalls. Some common misconceptions
Rome wasn't built in 12-16 weeks
Every business needs a strong foundation, but while some businesses can figure the basics in 3 months, others need > 1 year.
One-size fits all model
Most accelerators don't focus on a specific niche, which may not be very helpful if you are looking for domain expertise.
What's the real value of your equity
There's a math behind how accelerators decide whether your start-up is worth investing. Did you run the calculation for diluting your equity?
FAQs About Start-up Accelerators
Author Bio
Michael Li
For the last 10+ years Michael has helped start-ups of all scales and sizes succeed. A 2X entrepreneur, he is now working on Aerial to help founders avoid costly mistakes. He regularly writes for publications like the Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Harvard Business Review and others.
Last updated date 5/31/2024
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Accelerators and Incubators in arkansas
Looking for the best accelerators in Arkansas? There are numerous reasons to choose an accelerator to kickstart your startup journey. From access to funding and resources to mentorship and networking opportunities, accelerators provide a crucial support system for new ventures. In Arkansas, the startup culture is vibrant and thriving, with a supportive ecosystem that fosters innovation and growth. Entrepreneurs in the state benefit from a collaborative community, access to talent, and a lower cost of living compared to larger cities. When selecting the right accelerator for your startup, consider factors such as the industry focus of the program, the track record of success for past participants, the mentorship and networking opportunities available, and the terms of the investment and equity offered. It's essential to choose an accelerator that aligns with your goals, values, and long-term vision, to ensure a successful and rewarding experience. Notable start-ups from Arkansas that have thrived with the support of accelerators include Acorn Biolabs, a biotechnology company specializing in cryopreservation technology, and Swiftspeed, a transportation and logistics company that has revolutionized last-mile delivery services. These success stories highlight the impact that accelerators in Arkansas can have on the growth and success of startups, paving the way for future entrepreneurs to achieve their goals and make a significant impact in the business world.
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