GORP Announces Seven Startups for Fall Cohort

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – A 17-year-old on a mission to make e-bikes more accessible and a veteran-owned startup harnessing artificial-intelligence to improve firearm training are among seven startups in the fall 2024 cohort of U of A's outdoor recreation business incubator. 

The Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) supports startups building products and services in the outdoor recreation industry with workshop training, team mentoring, and dedicated business development consulting to help them scale.  

Overseen by leaders from the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, GORP's fall cohort includes a mix of startups focused on cycling, firearms, outdoor apparel, and camping. The 12-week program, which spans Aug. 27 to Nov. 12, also provides up to $15,000 in "non-dilutive seed funding" per company — funding that doesn't require the owner to give up equity in the company.   

Demo Night is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 at the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville. Members of the public are welcome to attend this free event; register your attendance here. 

GORP'S FALL 2024 COHORT  

Coffee Campfire Starter — Bentonville

Coffee Campfire Starter combines upcycled coffee waste with all-natural materials to produce a fire starter that eliminates plastic and petroleum, providing an effective and eco-friendly option great for camping, fireplaces, backyard grilling, and more. Co-founder Matt Argo will serve as the company's lead representative during the incubator and is joined by former GORP founder Collin Whittington on the project.   

FireWatchAI — Bella Vista 

FireWatchAI is a veteran-owned company focused on building electronic systems that will speed-up the training time of first-time firearm owners while also increasing fun, accessibility, and overall proficiency of users in the field of modern marksmanship. The team is led by Jeffery Montgomery, a 2013 graduate of the University of Arkansas and current graduate student enrolled in the Master of Science in Product Innovation program.  

Natural State Carbon Repair — Fayetteville 

​Natural State Carbon Repair provides reliable composite repairs on bicycle frames or any composite product that has sustained damage or has a manufacturing defect. Founder Bradley Walsh is currently running the company as a solopreneur.  

Open Access Bike Library — Bentonville  

The Open Access Bike Library offers an affordable way to test e-bikes and promote a more sustainable environment. Led by Maddy Gabe, a rising junior at the Thaden School in Bentonville and member of Thaden's Cycling team, the startup also aims to build a community where bikes are accessible to everyone. Zach Springer and John Shoffner of Gnargo Bike Company (a Fall 2022 GORP cohort company) are advising the project.  

Ozark Technical Products — Bentonville  

​Ozark Technical Products is building modular storage solutions that promote gear accessibility and flexibility for all outdoor adventures. The company was founded by Hunt Nosari, a 2021 mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Arkansas.

Sandbox Manufacturing — Bella Vista 

Sandbox Manufacturing designs and produces customizable protective gear and accessories for mountain bike riders, using additive manufacturing in Northwest Arkansas. The company was founded by Matt Organiscak and Erika Heintz, two recent transplants to the NWA region.  

Sturdy Used Gear — Bentonville 

• ​Sturdy Used Gear, founded by Kelsey Miller, is a consignment shop offering a space to purchase and sell high-end used outdoor gear. Sturdy aims to make accessing the outdoors more sustainable and affordable for everyone. Miller is a 2015 graduate of the University of Arkansas.

New Program Leadership

GORP had been led since its inception by Phil Shellhammer, who joined U of A in 2021 to develop the initiative and other business incubation programs. Shellhammer was promoted in May to the role of OEI's executive director and Zoe Buonaiuto was promoted to assume leadership of the business incubation function. 

Buonaiuto is now responsible for overall GORP strategy and program expansion, continuing the work she conducted as associate director of business incubation, which included helping secure federal and state funding to bring GORP resources across Arkansas. 

"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," said Buonaiuto. "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 a past participant in GORP's fall 2023 incubator, will help curate programming and offer specialized consulting for this semester's cohort.  

"Cohort members will benefit greatly from Windy's experience," Buonaiuto added. "Not only has she been in their shoes as a cohort member, but she will offer an additional layer of support during the 12-week program."  

Elstermeier said her tenure in GORP was "invaluable."  

"The program helped me build a strong foundation at every step and connected me with mentors and specialists who truly set Jane Wick up for success." Elstermeier said.

This semester's cohort will again benefit from support of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), which will be sponsoring FireWatchAI's participation in the program.

Since its founding in spring 2022, 31 startups have launched and expanded their businesses through the GORP cohorts. GORP has also supported over 300 entrepreneurs through its à la carte services, which include workshops, networking events, one-on-one consulting and access to co-working space. GORP is housed at The Collaborative, the U of A's education and research hub in Bentonville.

About the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation:  The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio, Startup Village, and Greenhouse at the Bentonville Collaborative, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides free workshops and programs — including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions and startup coaching. A unit of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and Division of Economic Development, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.