The Fuel Accelerator will launch its third cohort in Bentonville beginning August 3.
Fuel, from Fayetteville’s Startup Junkie Foundation, helps startups within the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning connect to regional enterprise partners. This year, it resumes after a pandemic break to provide hands-on education and workshops for a cohort of 10 companies from across the United States and India.
Fuel started in 2018 with eight startups participating in a supply chain-focused, 16-week program. The accelerator is funded in part by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) and the Walton Family Foundation.
Participating startups will relocate to Northwest Arkansas for a 12-week, enterprise-ready program providing access to other startup founders, industry experts, institutions of higher education and public policy officials.
“We are excited to welcome 10 outstanding new cohort participants focusing on Artificial Intelligence to Northwest Arkansas for the 2021 Fuel Accelerator program,” said Startup Junkie Foundation Executive Director Taylor Hasley. “Throughout these 12 weeks, they’ll be exposed to industry leading enterprises, mentors, and the wonderful quality of life our region has to offer. Our curriculum is designed with the ultimate goal of winning revenue and growing their business in hopes of establishing permanent roots in Northwest Arkansas.”
This year’s program mark the second with a focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Participating startups are:
- GraphLI – San Jose, California
- Simporter – Atlanta, Georgia
- Fountain9 – Mumbai, India
- 3DIMO – San Francisco, California
- SwiftGo Inc. – Houston, Texas
- CXO Nexus, Inc. – New York, New York
- ClearOPS – New York, New York
- Junction AI – Dallas, Texas
- Moment AI – Arlington, Virginia
- Rocketmat – Southlake, Texas
“These 10 cohort companies have technology ranging from automated insight discovery, vendor risk and spend management, inventory planning, market research, last mile and supply chain optimization, AdTech, HR, and the future of in-store retail.” said Hasley. “Although the pandemic presented a challenge to our recruiting efforts, we are confident this cohort will bring exponential gains to our enterprise partners from the efficiencies created in these areas. The diversity and geographic reach of this cohort echo the level of opportunity and lifestyle Northwest Arkansas has to offer on a global scale.”
Fuel is led by Startup Junkie Foundation and Catapult Consulting, with curriculum for the accelerator developed by GrowthX and RevUnit. RevUnit, a longstanding Fuel partner, will return to the program for its third year. Catapult Consulting, led by Tom Douglass, former director of emerging technology at Walmart, will provide deep domain experience in business strategy to bring companies and ideas to the forefront and create the next generation of disruptive businesses.
GrowthX, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital fund, will incorporate into Market Acceleration Program (MXP) into the Fuel curriculum.
For more information about Fuel Accelerator, visit fuelaccelerator.com.
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