A startup accelerator formed between the U of A and a local venture firm helped boost the sales of all 10 companies in its inaugural cohort.
The Bounds Accelerator is focused on helping founders at the intersection of the retail value chain and emerging technologies. A partnership between Cartwheel Startup Studio and the U of A, Bounds launched in January and concluded in April with a Demo Day at the Ledger in downtown Bentonville.
Amplio, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and dedicated to building sustainable supply chains by helping customers sell excess inventory, won $15,000 via the Accelerator Incentive Award. Founder Trey Closson’s presentation won over a panel of judges that included members from U of A’s Division of Economic Development and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Joel Ponce, founder of Hashku, secured the other win of $5,000 through the Audience Choice Award. Hashku, based in Bentonville, connects Gen Z and Gen Alpha with brands via gaming.
Other milestones included Ship.com, based in Las Vegas, Nevada, reaching $1 million in annual recurring revenue during the program.
Another company, Spark, which assists in using blockchain for commerce and payments, was acquired at the tail end of the program.
One of three business incubators at the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Bounds was an opportunity to “elegantly pair” a focus on emerging tech with Northwest Arkansas’ established supply chain and retail sectors, according to Zoe Buonaiuto, OEI’s associate director of business incubation.
Full story: U of A Emerging Tech Accelerator Boosts Sales for Startup Cohort | University of Arkansas
