Arkansas Short Takes Video Highlights University's Role in Business Accelerator Boot Camp

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The ARK Challenge, a new business accelerator program partially sponsored by the University of Arkansas, is the focus of this week’s Arkansas Short Takes video feature. The 14-week program for new technology companies is summarized in about 90 seconds in the Arkansas Short Takes video, “Helping Entrepreneurs Find Investors.”

Fifteen startup companies were selected from more than 80 applications from 14 different countries to take part in the first ARK Challenge. With more than $300,000 in funding available for the top two companies, participants worked with mentors to enhance planning for customer acquisition/market traction, investor relations and programming/product development.

The program is sponsored by The ARK, a co-initiative involving Winrock International and U.S. Programs in partnership with the University of Arkansas and the NorthWest Arkansas Community College. The initiative is designed to recruit and accelerate tech startups advancing three key industry clusters in Northwest Arkansas: retail, food processing and transportation and logistics.

The ARK is currently accepting online submissions for the next ARK Challenge to be held from June to mid-September in Fayetteville.