The Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA) has officially launched in Bentonville, positioning the city as a global hub for cycling innovation. This ambitious initiative, led by seasoned cycling industry professionals and entrepreneurial experts, seeks to support the next wave of cycling-related tech startups through a 10-week hybrid accelerator program.
The program aims to attract 10 standout startups from North America, Europe, and Asia, offering them access to investors, mentorship, and strategic partnerships with leading industry brands. Designed to foster innovation, the AGCA aligns with Arkansas’ broader investments in cycling infrastructure, creating a unique environment for cycling-focused technologies to thrive and scale.
“This is an exciting time for the cycling industry, and Arkansas is well-positioned to be at the forefront of it all,” said Martial Trigeaud, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Cardinal Cycling Group and a Cohort Advisor for the AGCA program.
The AGCA will be led by the Startup Junkie Foundation and the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation’s Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). Caleb Talley, Executive Director of Startup Junkie, emphasized the program’s importance to the state’s economy and the region’s cycling community. “Given the importance of cycling to our state’s economy and the density of industry leaders in our community, it made sense for us to help organize and execute this new program alongside our colleagues from the GORP program and with Martial’s cycling expertise,” Talley said.
Applications for the AGCA’s inaugural cohort are now open at www.cyclingaccelerator.com. Startups interested in shaping the future of cycling can apply until February 1, with final decisions to be announced on February 18.
The program is supported by a $125,000 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and matching funds from the Walton Family Foundation.
About the Sponsors
The Startup Junkie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Northwest Arkansas that focuses on supporting entrepreneurs and fostering economic development. The foundation works to provide resources, mentorship, and educational programs to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, with a particular emphasis on serving underrepresented founders and rural communities.
The Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) is a business incubation program focused on developing entrepreneurs who are creating innovative products and services within the outdoor recreation industry. Launched by the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in 2022, the program has directly supported 47 companies through its cohort incubator, and program staff have consulted on over 400 business ideas in the outdoor recreation space.
For more details, visit www.cyclingaccelerator.com or contact AGCA staff at agca@uark.edu.
