The University of Arkansas has become the newest participating member of the Mid-South I-Corps Hub, one of the U.S. National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps Hubs that form the operational backbone of the National Innovation Network, marking the next stage in a regional partnership built on innovation and shared vision.

Led by Vanderbilt University since 2023, the Mid-South Hub connects institutions across five states — Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia — with the goal of strengthening research, accelerating technology transfer and fostering participant success through real-world impact. Adding Arkansas expands both the hub's geographic reach and its ability to help ideas take root and thrive.

"The University of Arkansas is proud to join the Mid-South I-Corps Hub and contribute to this growing regional network of innovation-driven institutions," said David Hinton, associate vice chancellor for research and innovation and executive director for Technology Ventures at the U of A.

"By connecting our faculty, staff, students and researchers with the Hub's collaborative programs, we will accelerate the translation of discoveries into market-ready solutions, expand commercialization pathways and strengthen entrepreneurial training across the Mid-South. This partnership not only amplifies our capacity to support innovators on campus but also advances our shared mission of driving economic growth and technological progress for the entire region."

As a member of the Hub, the U of A will contribute to programming that includes innovation training, cross-institution collaboration, faculty development and commercialization pathways. The Hub's impact is reflected in programs that bring together innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs from across the region.

For example, Vanderbilt University and George Mason University partnered to launch the Quantum Immersive Cohort, an initiative connecting students and researchers across states to explore emerging quantum technologies. In early 2025, Vanderbilt and the University of Memphis collaborated to launch the first Memphis I-Corps cohort, uniting the city's entrepreneurial ecosystem and expanding access to innovation pathways in the region. These shared efforts equip faculty, students and researchers with the tools, training and resources needed to bring ideas to life — on their campuses, in labs and beyond.

"We are pleased to welcome the University of Arkansas to our esteemed consortium, the NSF Mid‑South I-Corps Hub," said Dr. Charleson Bell, director of the Mid‑South Hub. "They are a notable stalwart in I-Corps, and their regional leadership in education, research and deep technology aligns well with the mission of our Innovation Hub. Together, we will offer programs that open once unavailable doors for innovators, boost the translational impact of research and, most importantly, galvanize the shared economic prosperity of our region."

The Mid-South Hub now spans five states and includes 11 partner institutions: George Mason University, Jackson State University, Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State University, U of A, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Memphis, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University.

New partner institutions are selected through a governance-based voting process led by the Mid-South Hub General Assembly. Candidates are evaluated on their track record with I-Corps programming, their ability to support faculty and participants and their potential to drive regional economic impact. Final approval is granted by the National Science Foundation.

Together, this partnership forms a dynamic network focused on fostering discovery, reducing barriers to innovation and shaping the future of entrepreneurship across the region. Teams emerging from the Hub's regional I-Corps training have successfully transitioned technology from lab prototypes to market-ready ventures, with several earning National I-Corps awards of $50,000 to advance commercialization and growth.

To learn more about the Mid-South Hub and its mission, visit www.midsouthhub.org.