Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator to Showcase Global Startups at 2026 Demo Night in Bentonville

Founders will pitch the future of cycling, celebrate the conclusion of this year’s program on June 10 at Compton Gardens

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA) will close its 2026 program with a public Demo Night on Tuesday, June 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Compton Gardens & Arboretum in Bentonville. Ten startups from this year’s cohort — representing six countries — will deliver fast, high-impact pitches before an audience of innovators, investors, and industry supporters, followed by light hors d’oeuvres and networking.

A program of Startup Junkie Foundation in partnership with the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the AGCA is a cohort-based program for startups building innovative cycling components and tech-enabled cycling solutions. Based in Bentonville, deployed online and in person, the program connects participants with industry mentors, networks, and resources to help them scale in the U.S. market.

“This year’s cohort showcases the breadth of innovation happening across the cycling industry, from performance technologies and protective equipment to digital platforms and mobility solutions,” said Andy Williamson, Director of Business Incubation for the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “AGCA connects innovative emerging companies with the people, resources, and real-world opportunities that make Northwest Arkansas a center for cycling innovation, helping strengthen industry connections and advance Arkansas’s leadership within the global cycling economy.”

The 2026 Cohort

This year’s ten companies span hardware, wearables, software, and trail technology:

• Aerobag (Turnhout, Belgium) is developing next-generation crash protection built directly into performance apparel, detecting crash events and deploying in milliseconds without compromising comfort or speed.
• Aeroscale (Grenoble, France) helps cyclists make faster decisions by measuring aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance in real-world conditions through its Wasted Watts technology, delivering actionable performance data on the road.
• BikeFolder (Sandnes, Norway) is building digital infrastructure for the bicycle industry by giving every bike a digital passport that connects owners, dealers, and brands to streamline data, improve service, and support the full bike lifecycle.
• CONVOY (Bristol, United Kingdom) is building a family-focused mobility solution designed to replace short car trips, with a smart e-trailer that turns everyday bikes into safer, more practical transportation.
• eBikeLabs (Grenoble, France) provides software that helps brands, manufacturers, and fleet operators design, manage, and optimize innovative e-bike drive systems at scale.
• hDrop Technologies (Little Rock, Arkansas) is advancing personalized hydration with a wearable sweat sensor that measures sweat and sodium loss, helping endurance athletes make smarter fluid and electrolyte decisions.
• KAV (Buffalo, New York) is rethinking protective equipment through advanced materials, software, and additive manufacturing, with a flagship custom-fit helmet that combines aerodynamic performance, high safety standards, and U.S.-based production.
• LLume (Boston, Massachusetts) is developing wearable sensing technology that brings lab-quality respiratory insights into real-world training, tracking breathing and physiological effort in real time without bulky lab equipment.
• MyVeloFit (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is an online bike fitting platform that uses video and simple measurements to make professional-level fit guidance more accessible, helping riders improve comfort, efficiency, and control.
• Trailytic (Bentonville, Arkansas) is developing a data-driven trail maintenance system for mountain biking, using on-bike sensors and proprietary analytics to help trail organizations improve safety, flow, and long-term sustainability.

“At Startup Junkie, we measure success by the lives and communities we serve and help improve through entrepreneurship,” said Caleb Talley, executive director of the Startup Junkie Foundation. “This accelerator is another example of what’s possible when you connect the best startups in the world to Northwest Arkansas and surround them with mentors, partners, and a community that wants them to win.”

The Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator would not be possible without the support of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Walton Family Foundation, along with generous contributions from the Morgridge Family Foundation, the Outdoor Products and Service Program at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, and Visit Bentonville. The program is further strengthened by partners and collaborators including People for Bikes, the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, Bentonville Bike Fest, the National Bicycle Dealers Association, and Trailblazers.

Event Details

What: 2026 Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator Demo Night

When: Tuesday, June 10, 2026, 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Where: Compton Gardens & Arboretum, 312 N Main St, Bentonville, AR 72712

Register: luma.com/0u9v64h3

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About Startup Junkie Foundation

Startup Junkie is a mission-driven organization that exists to improve lives through innovation and entrepreneurship. With a goal to stimulate economic growth in the region, the organization provides a variety of services including mentorship, consulting, training, and more. Startup Junkie has an extensive network of partners and professionals that are dedicated to enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas.

About the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio, and Startup Village, OEI provides free workshops and programs, including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions, and startup coaching. A unit of the Sam M. Walton College of Business OEI also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.

Media contact

Caleb Talley, Executive Director, Startup Junkie Foundation
caleb@startupjunkie.org | 479-879-7997