The ARK Challenge

The ARK is a full member of the Global Accelerator Network (GAN). GAN was formerly known as the TechStars Network, is a partner of the Startup America initiative and consists of independently owned and operated organizations that utilize a mentorship-based startup accelerator model. The ARK will select 15 young startup companies, comprised of 2-5 people each, from applicants originating from across the nation to participate in a Northwest Arkansas-based entrepreneurial bootcamp challenge over the course of 14 weeks starting in August 2012. In exchange for a 6% equity stake in each company, our companies will each receive $20K, product development and design support, promotion, networking with advisors and funders, as well as intensive mentoring from a group of community-based and national mentors. The focus areas of the bootcamp will be Customer Acquisition/Market Traction, Investor Relations and Programming/Product Development. The ARK will operate two bootcamp challenges with the goals of each challenge to introduce 15 viable ventures, primed for funding, pilot-ready and positioned for new job creation, to the region, and two participating companies are guaranteed to be offered access to optional funding of up to $150K per company. All bootcamp participants will have 24×7 access to The Iceberg, Northwest Arkansas’ new coworking facility located in the heart of downtown Fayetteville, and its amenities.