The Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA) has officially launched in Bentonville, Arkansas, a destination that is being positioned to become a global centre for cycling innovation.
The new AGCA initiative, led by cycling industry veterans and entrepreneurs, aims to attract a cohort of 10 startups from North America, Europe, and Asia. The accelerator will offer a 10-week hybrid program designed to support cycling-related tech innovation, provide access to key investors and mentors, and build strategic partnerships with top brands in the industry.
AGCA’s mission aligns with Arkansas’ ongoing investment in cycling infrastructure. With its focus on both business growth and technology, the accelerator aims to foster long-term cycling industry growth in Arkansas. It will be led by staff from Startup Junkie Foundation and the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation’s (OEI) Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP).
“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 the accelerator’s Founder and Cohort Advisor.
Caleb Talley, Executive Director of the Startup Junkie Foundation, added “Startup Junkie has supported new startups in Arkansas for over a decade. 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.”
Interested startups are encouraged to apply to AGCA’s inaugural cohort. Applications are open now at www.cyclingaccelerator.com. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the application window closes on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Decisions will be announced by Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
The program was sponsored by a US$125,000 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and a funding match from the Walton Family Foundation.
