The Venture Center welcomed its second cohort to the Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator Monday in El Dorado.
The program is the nation’s first accelerator dedicated to lithium and battery supply chain innovation. Its inaugural program took place earlier this year.
From Dec. 1 through Dec. 7, the accelerator will connect three energy-technology startups with Arkansas-based lithium producers as well as other academic, government and economic development partners. The new cohort companies include Lithios, Menen Group and Tyfast Energy.
Lithios is commercializing a new electrochemical platform to produce sustainable, low-cost lithium. Menen Group is an Arkansas-based water treatment collective that uses patented technology that concentrates dilute lithium streams with 60 percent less energy. Tyfast Energy is building ultra-fast charging batteries, which power heavy-duty commercial and defense vehicles with a secure domestic supply chain.
“We’re excited to launch our second ALTA cohort with truly outstanding new technology companies,” said Arthur Orduña, executive director of the Venture Center. “They definitely meet the high bar set by the groundbreaking companies in our first ALTA cohort.”
The accelerator’s programming features curated producer meetings, research and lab visits, pilot-planning workshops, investor roundtables and pitch opportunities. The companies that were chosen will gain access to private and non-dilutive capital, market visibility and the chance to pilot their companies with Arkansas-based lithium producers.
“The ALTA program continues to attract some of the highest caliber startups in our industry,” said Jesse Edmondson, director of government relations for Standard Lithium. “The ultimate goal is to recruit and cultivate the top talent and technologies, and as a result, create additional value and opportunities for the state of Arkansas. Arkansas is on the verge of not only becoming a major lithium producer, but also a research and innovation hub for lithium, running all the way from geology to next-generation battery technologies.”
Partners of the accelerator include Standard Lithium, the University of Arkansas, South Arkansas College and Southern Arkansas University, as well as funding support from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Walton Family Foundation. Additional business and community sponsors are Exxon, Tetra Technologies, Corzan, Rose Law Firm, Ghidotti Communications, Blue Flame Minerals, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Terra Volta.
The accelerator will conclude with a Demo Day at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Record Downtown in Bentonville. To learn more, visit. venturecenter.com.
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