Join us for a transformative journey in the heart of Bentonville, Arkansas with our 10-week in-person HealthTech accelerator program. Tailored for startups pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare, this intensive program offers strategic mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to propel your innovation to new heights. Immerse yourself in a collaborative ecosystem, leveraging the vibrant health and technology community of Bentonville, as you refine your product, scale your business, and forge lasting connections.

Join us in shaping the future of HealthTech innovation.

Ignite the future of AI/ML innovation in Bentonville, Arkansas!

Join our immersive 10-week in-person accelerator program designed for startups pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Gain access to strategic mentorship, collaborative networking, and cutting-edge resources to refine your product, scale your business, and connect with a dynamic tech community.

Take your AI/ML startup to the next level—apply now and accelerate your journey to success!

Meet The Team

  • Grace Gill

    OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

    Grace has served the Fuel team since 2022. Grace has previous experience in non-profit and marketing from working at Mary R. Koch Arts Center (Wichita, KS), as well as starting on the Startup Junkie marketing and events team. She graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas and has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Venture Innovation from the Walton College of Business. Additionally, Grace is a championed powerlifter, being a 2x world record holder, 3x national record holder, Arkansas' 2022 Best Female Powerlifter and 2023 American Pro competitor.

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  • Caleb Talley

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STARTUP JUNKIE FOUNDATION

    Caleb Talley is the Executive Director of Startup Junkie Foundation, where he leads initiatives to empower entrepreneurs and grow innovation-driven ecosystems across Arkansas and beyond. Under his leadership, Startup Junkie has expanded its impact through programs like the Fuel Accelerator and others, supporting small businesses and scalable ventures with no-cost consulting, technical assistance, and access to capital, resources and mentorship. With a background in journalism, public policy, and community development, Caleb is committed to fostering regional economic growth.

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Fuel is a program created and launched by Startup Junkie in 2018. Mentorship is provided by experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and subject matter experts from several of the largest enterprises in the world.

Startup Junkie has facilitated 15 previous accelerator programs with over 150 alumni companies. They engage thousands of entrepreneurs in the Northwest Arkansas region through a vibrant startup culture. Their clients have raised $664.2 million in private investment capital and scaled to a collective $924 million in annual revenue.

As an entrepreneurial support organization, Startup Junkie is the drumbeat for activity in the local startup ecosystem. Specifically, Startup Junkie helps entrepreneurs start and grow ventures through 1:1 consultation, events, workshops, and programs like this accelerator.

Startup Junkie knows what it takes to be a small team going after multi-million dollar enterprise contracts. Backed by the Walton Family Foundation, the U.S. Economic Development Administration and others, Startup Junkie has been awarded long-term funding to provide high-quality services at no cost to the entrepreneurs they serve.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

The Fuel Accelerator program is made possible by grants to Startup Junkie Foundation from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Walton Family Foundation

 FAQs

  • Startups who are passionate about the problem they are solving, have raised capital and/or have revenue traction, and are willing to relocate for the duration of the program. We are NOT an idea stage accelerator or VC funding accelerator. We are an operational, revenue based accelerator.

  • There is no-cost and no-equity taken to participate in Fuel. Startups are responsible for travel and accommodations. The program is sponsored by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Walton Family Foundation, and Startup Junkie Foundation in order to foster more activity and innovation around the future of technology in Northwest Arkansas.

  • Startups must participate in-person. No exceptions will be made.

  • Fuel is based in Northwest Arkansas, home to four Fortune 500 companies and 1700 support enterprises. Each company will be provided access to our office at the Ledger in the heart of Bentonville, AR.