AEDC Awards $2M to 11 Local Startup Accelerators

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The Arkansas Economic Development Commission on Tuesday announced it has awarded $2 million in funding to 11 Arkansas-based accelerator programs.

The funds were awarded through the Arkansas Business and Technology Accelerator Grant Program, which is designed to create high-skill, high-wage jobs by encouraging the development of technological products and services.

To qualify for the program, applicants must develop a full-time, immersive program that accelerates startups, and applicants must be in good standing with the Arkansas Secretary of State.

The award amounts and recipients are:

• The Aerospace and Defense Accelerator (Forge Institute) – $200,000
• Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation) – $125,000
• Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator (The Venture Center) – $200,000
• The Business-Driven Accelerator (The Venture Center)- $200,000
• Conductor 10X Growth Accelerator (Conductor) – $200,000
• Fuel AI/ML Innovation Accelerator (Startup Junkie) – $200,000
• Fuel HealthTech Accelerator (Startup Junkie) – $200,000
• Highstep (Winrock International) – $200,000
• MaternaTech (Winrock International) – $200,000
• Plug and Play Supply Chain Accelerator (Plug and Play) – $125,000
• ScaleUp Accelerator (Endeavor Heartland) – $150,000

“Building an ecosystem of innovative startups and technology companies is a key goal for growing our economy in Arkansas,” Esperanza Massana Crane, director of AEDC’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division, said in a news release. “Accelerators play an important role in this growth, and we are proud to support startups and accelerators through the Arkansas Business and Technology Accelerator Grant Program.”