The Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA) has officially launched its second cohort and is now accepting applications for the spring 2026 cohort.
The Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA) has officially opened applications for its spring 2026 cohort, marking the launch of the program’s second year. Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, the accelerator is targeting ten early-stage companies aiming to disrupt and transform the global cycling industry, with founders expected from North America, Europe, and Asia.
Launched in 2025, AGCA positions itself as a focused industry accelerator designed to connect cycling startups with mentors, networks, and market access rather than direct capital. The first cohort has already delivered tangible results. “In 2025, we welcomed 10 outstanding companies into the program. One of them, Blubrake, secured €12 million in Series A funding during the accelerator. Others successfully formed strategic partnerships or connected with key industry leaders to accelerate their business growth,” said Martial Trigeaud, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Cardinal Cycling Group, and Founder and Cohort Advisor of the accelerator.
According to Trigeaud, industry interest is already high for the next intake. “Overall, the outcomes have exceeded our expectations, and the cycling industry is already looking ahead with strong interest in the companies joining the 2026 cohort,” he said.
The 2026 program will begin in early April with weekly virtual sessions before transitioning to an in-person week in Bentonville in early June. This on-site phase will coincide with Bentonville Bike Fest and the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) Summit, taking place from June 8 to 14, 2026, creating direct touchpoints with the U.S. cycling market.
For international startups, U.S. market access is a key value proposition. “AGCA made it much easier for us to enter the U.S. cycling industry. We came away with the right introductions and a real understanding of how the U.S. market works. In just three months, we achieved what would normally take two to three years of networking and partnerships,” said Ean Brown, Co-Founder and CEO of Skarper, a member of the 2025 AGCA cohort.
The accelerator is supported by a broad ecosystem of industry and institutional partners. PeopleForBikes is among them, with President and CEO Jenn Dice highlighting the strategic relevance of the program: “If you are building in cycling and you want a real pathway into the U.S. market, this program is a strong entry point. AGCA connects founders to the people who can validate, pilot, and adopt new solutions, and it does it in a region that lives and breathes cycling,” Dice said. She added, “Our team at PeopleForBikes is thrilled to partner with the Morgridge Family Foundation to support the AGCA, and strengthen workforce development in the cycling industry in NWA”.
AGCA is led by teams from the Startup Junkie Foundation and the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, with involvement from the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). The program is supported by a $125,000 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and matching funding from the Walton Family Foundation.
Applications for the 2026 cohort are open until Sunday, February 8, with interviews conducted on a rolling basis. Final selections will be announced by March 6. More information is available at the accelerator’s official website: www.cyclingaccelerator.com
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