Plug and Play announced plans today to expand and create a new supply chain and logistics accelerator in Northwest Arkansas.
The new program will bring innovative startups from around the world to Northwest Arkansas and build upon the fast-growing region’s robust innovation ecosystem. The area is home to the three Fortune 500 founding partners, a network of global and national companies that support these enterprises and the University of Arkansas. An official launch event will take place in Northwest Arkansas this summer.
“We are excited to accelerate and invest in startups in Northwest Arkansas as it is the birthplace of some of the world’s largest companies like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt,” said Mike Zayonc, founder of Plug and Play’s Supply Chain & Logistics program. “The founding partners in this program will be able to collaborate with our worldwide startup network right in their own backyard.”
The effort, supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and founding corporate partners J.B. Hunt, Tyson Foods and Walmart, will be coordinated locally by the Northwest Arkansas Council.
“This new relationship with Plug and Play will leverage our regional strength in supply chain and logistics,” said Nelson Peacock, the Northwest Arkansas Council’s president and CEO. “This program will shine a greater spotlight on all of the great things happening in Northwest Arkansas.”
With a population of over 555,000 people, Northwest Arkansas offers one of the top regional economies in the U.S.. The region will provide participants in the accelerator program access to a network of industry experts, including Fortune 500 companies, leading supply chain and logistics faculty from the University of Arkansas and business development opportunities.
For the last four years, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Northwest Arkansas as one of the Top 5 Best Places to Live in the U.S. Known for its expansive 400-mile trail network and world-class art institutions such as Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the area is recognized as an emerging technology and entrepreneurial activity hub in America’s Heartland. This infographic describes some of what’s happening in the region.
Plug and Play will work collaboratively with participants from the region to identify key industry challenges in supply chain and logistics. Once identified, Plug and Play will seek out the best startups to help develop solutions to these key challenges. The program will include two cohorts of 10 companies each year and will feature workshops, mentorship sessions, and summits that will bring innovation, business development and investment opportunities to Northwest Arkansas. The accelerator will focus on supply chain optimization, blockchain, last-mile delivery, warehouse automation, IoT sensors, predictive analytics, machine learning, and more.
A grant from the Walton Family Foundation will support the entrepreneurial education and training curriculum for accelerator participants, as well as support community events and mentoring workshops.
“Northwest Arkansas is known for driven entrepreneurs who created access to opportunity and transformed communities,” said Karen Minkel, Home Region Program Director at the Walton Family Foundation. “Plug and Play’s accelerator will support the next generation of promising startups that will strengthen our innovation ecosystem.”
As part of the accelerator program, participating startups will be matched with mentors to refine their business models. Participants will also be able to work closely with the founding partner companies to identify potential collaboration opportunities. At the conclusion of each program, startups will be able to showcase ideas to prospective customers and investors, including strategic partners from the Plug and Play’s global network.
Pictured at the top: Matt Waller, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, spoke during a Plug and Play signing ceremony in Sunnyvale, Calif. Plug and Play plans to open a supply chain and logistics accelerator in Northwest Arkansas, working closely with Walmart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt Transport Services and the university.
