Martin Cole 
Explore the Bentonville Cycling Incubator Today
Bentonville’s trails are legendary, but these days they’re not just for riding—they’re launching the future of mountain biking. What used to be known as the Walmart mothership has quietly transformed itself into a cycling Shangri-La, with trails that snake through forests like veins of opportunity. And now, Bentonville’s got its sights set on becoming more than just a playground for shredders—it’s aiming to be the birthplace of the next big thing in cycling.
Enter the Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA), a business incubator designed to lure gear-head entrepreneurs and tech wizards to the Natural State. Imagine Shark Tank, but everyone’s wearing cleats and pitching the kind of ideas that could change how we ride.
The Start of Something Big (and Possibly Carbon Fibered)
Bentonville didn’t land in this position by accident. The Walton family, whose fingerprints are all over the local trail systems and bike-friendly infrastructure, has been quietly laying the groundwork for years. But now, the town isn’t content with just being a world-class cycling destination; it wants to become the epicenter of cycling innovation.
The AGCA was created by heavy-hitters like Startup Junkie and the University of Arkansas’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Backed by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the program aims to give pre-Series A startups the boost they need to hit the big time—think cycling components, tech solutions, and ideas that make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“We want Bentonville to be where the industry comes to push boundaries,” says one AGCA organizer, who likely dreams in titanium finishes.
A Ride Through the Program
The program kicks off with an application process that runs through early February 2025. From there, startups will be selected to join a 7-week program that alternates between virtual workshops and in-person mentorships. Bentonville, of course, plays host to the grand finale: a week-long, in-the-flesh sprint where founders will rub elbows with cycling industry royalty, investors, and Bentonville’s most die-hard riders.
If you’re wondering what startups get out of this besides a week of eating BBQ and dodging rental e-bikes on Bentonville’s trails, here’s the haul:
- Access to industry veterans who’ve seen it all—except maybe your world-changing idea.
- Networking opportunities that could land you venture capital (or at least a really good story for Instagram).
- The chance to turn your garage-born concept into the next cycling breakthrough.
Why Bentonville is the Perfect Incubator
Bentonville is not just a cycling town—it’s a full-fledged mountain biking mecca. Trails here aren’t just dirt paths through the woods; they’re meticulously crafted masterpieces, each with its own personality, challenges, and flow. Whether you’re a seasoned enduro racer or a weekend warrior who occasionally wears Lycra, Bentonville has a trail for you.
The Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, just a few miles from downtown, is a prime example of what makes this area so special. Built with both beginners and pros in mind, Coler offers everything from smooth-flowing green trails to heart-pounding downhill runs like Cease and Desist, where gravity takes over and you learn just how tight you can grip your handlebars.
For those looking to test their skills, Slaughter Pen is the crown jewel of Bentonville’s trail system. With its famous All-American Trail (a gentle, fun introduction to mountain biking) and the technical challenges of Choo Choo, it’s the kind of place that makes you think, “Just one more lap,” until the sun sets.
And then there’s the Back 40, a 21-mile loop of singletrack bliss that winds through the Ozarks. It’s a favorite for endurance riders, offering epic climbs, thrilling descents, and scenery so good you’ll wish you had a GoPro permanently mounted to your forehead.
In total, Bentonville boasts over 500 miles of trails, all of which connect seamlessly to the town’s bike-friendly streets, cafes, and breweries. It’s a place where “run errands” and “ride your bike” are practically the same thing. And if that wasn’t enough, new trails are constantly being built, with input from some of the best trail builders in the world.
The Community that Makes It Work
Of course, trails alone don’t create a mountain biking utopia—people do. Bentonville’s cycling community is fiercely passionate and deeply supportive of newcomers and veterans alike. From weekly group rides to major festivals like the Outerbike demo event, Bentonville pulses with the kind of energy that turns good ideas into great ones.
It’s no surprise, then, that the AGCA chose Bentonville as its home. When you pair a world-class trail system with a community that eats, sleeps, and breathes cycling, you create fertile ground for innovation.
A Pedal Stroke for the Economy
The AGCA isn’t just about shiny new tech or fat-tire futures. It’s about putting Arkansas on the map in a way that goes beyond Walmart. By attracting innovators to Bentonville, the program could spark a ripple effect: jobs, tourism dollars, and a stronger reputation for Arkansas as a state that isn’t afraid to think big.
Cycling startups aren’t just businesses—they’re culture makers. From lightweight carbon frames to apps that gamify your ride, these innovations shape the sport itself. And Bentonville’s gamble is this: by incubating these ideas, it’ll not only bring in new talent but also cement its status as the ultimate cycling think tank.
Conclusion: Dream Big, Ride Bigger
The Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator is more than a business program—it’s an invitation. Bentonville wants you to show up with your half-baked ideas, your prototypes, your sketches on napkins, and take a shot at changing the cycling world.
For those who dream of launching the next Strava or creating bike tech that looks like it came from NASA, Bentonville is calling. And let’s be honest: if you’re going to roll the dice on your big idea, it might as well be somewhere you can shred after the pitch meeting.
