The Venture Center welcomed its third Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator cohort Monday in Fayetteville with more than 60 people in attendance for the kickoff of festivities.
The program is the nation’s first accelerator dedicated to lithium and battery supply-chain innovation. Its inaugural program took place in July 2025.
The first 2026 cohort includes Entegris POCO Materials, NewGenium and Western CAM.
“Welcoming our third ALTA cohort marks a significant milestone in our efforts to move from proof-of-concept to industrial-scale impact,” said Daniel Schutte, vice president of strategic partnerships at The Venture Center. “This year’s cohort demonstrates the high caliber of innovation required to achieve energy dominance, and we remain committed to providing the strategic partnerships necessary to accelerate their commercial deployment here in Arkansas.”
Jesse Edmondson, director of government relations for Standard Lithium, said the cohort shows the strength of the program and Arkansas’ growing importance in the national battery supply chain.
“Over the past year, batteries have evolved from being central to the energy transition to becoming critical to national security,” he said. “Arkansas is at the forefront of building a resilient domestic battery supply chain — strengthening our industrial base and reducing reliance on China.”
The accelerator’s programming features curated producer meetings, research and lab visits, pilot-planning workshops, investor roundtables and pitch opportunities. The program culminates in a demo day, which will take place Friday, April 24, at 5:30 p.m. at the El Dorado Conference Center.
ALTA is led by the Venture Center with support from Standard Lithium and other producers; academic partners such as the University of Arkansas, South Arkansas College and Southern Arkansas University, as well as funding from the Walton Family Foundation. ALTA is also supported by statewide business and community sponsors, including Exxon, Tetra Technologies, Corzan, Rose Law Firm, Ghidotti Communications, Blue Flame Minerals, the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce and Terra Volta.
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