Who is eligible to participate in Fuel Accelerator?

Startups who are passionate about the problem they are solving, have raised capital and/or have revenue traction, and are willing to relocate to Bentonville, Arkansas for the duration of the 10-week program. Fuel is not an idea-stage accelerator or a VC-funding accelerator; it is an operational, revenue-based accelerator for HealthTech and AI/ML companies selling to enterprises.

What does it cost to participate in Fuel Accelerator?

There is no cost and no equity taken to participate in Fuel. Startups are responsible for their own travel and accommodations. The program is funded by grants, economic development agencies and corporate partners.

Can teams participate in Fuel virtually or hybrid?

Startups must participate in person in Bentonville, Arkansas. No exceptions are made.

What does Fuel look for in applicants?

Disruptive technology with a transformative edge; a scalable business model with revenue and/or a raised round; a world-class, diverse founding team with a reason for solving the problem; a fit with Fuel's enterprise-adoption expertise and network; and openness to global applicants — Fuel has accepted startups from 11 countries and 21 US states.

Coming 2027

Fuel is growing to four programs in 2027.

Across Arkansas and Kansas City, Fuel will run four equity-free, enterprise-ready accelerator programs next year, up from two cohorts in Northwest Arkansas. Tell us who you are and we will reach out as applications, mentor matching and enterprise partner opportunities open.

Tell us you're interested HealthTech applications are open

The 2027 lineup

Four programs across Arkansas and Kansas City.

Each program is 10 weeks, equity-free and built around enterprise pilots, contracts, capital raised and jobs created. Here is what is on the calendar for 2027.

Spring 2027 · Applications open

Fuel HealthTech Bentonville, Arkansas

Health technology startups selling to health systems. Ten weeks in Bentonville with hands-on curriculum, mentor office hours and direct access to enterprise and health system partners.

Applications open October 2026 through January 2027. Program slated for March 2027.

Program details and application

New in 2027 · Details coming

Fuel Rural HealthTech Kansas City · Kansas and Missouri

Fuel's first program outside Arkansas, delivered in partnership with Digital Health KC. It connects health technology companies focused on rural care with the hospitals and clinics across Kansas and Missouri that need them most.

Funded through a grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. Dates and application window to be announced.

New in 2027 · Details coming

Fuel Supply Chain Arkansas · Transportation and logistics

A return to Fuel's supply chain roots, focused on transportation and logistics. Startups are paired with enterprise buyers and operators across the state of Arkansas, not just the Northwest corridor.

Funded in part through a U.S. Small Business Administration SCALE grant. Dates and application window to be announced.

Fall 2027

Fuel AI/ML Bentonville, Arkansas

Fuel's flagship program for artificial intelligence and machine learning companies selling into retail, consumer goods, financial services and manufacturing.

Applications for the fall cohort open in 2027.

Program details

Who we want to hear from

Founders, partners, mentors and providers.

Founders

Seed to Series B tech startups with traction, ready to land and deliver enterprise pilots and contracts.

Enterprise partners

Retailers, manufacturers, carriers, health systems and other operators who want a vetted pipeline of startups solving real problems.

Mentors

Operators, investors and domain experts willing to hold office hours and open doors for a cohort.

Rural health providers

Hospitals, clinics and care networks in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas interested in piloting new tools.

Get in touch

Tell us you're interested.

Share a few details and the Fuel team will follow up directly. We respond within two business days.