Applications accepted on a rolling basis for Cohorts Three and Four
Little Rock, Ark. February 17, 2026 – The Venture Center, in partnership with Standard Lithium and the University of Arkansas, today announced the public opening of applications for the 2026 Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator (ALTA), the nation’s first accelerator program dedicated to lithium innovation and the U.S. battery supply chain.
For the first time, ALTA applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Companies applying in 2026 will be considered for Cohort Three, scheduled for April 2026, as well as Cohort Four, planned for September 2026. Companies not selected for the April cohort may be kept in the pipeline for consideration in the September cohort or future program cycles.
ALTA was launched in 2025 to position Arkansas as a national hub for lithium production, advanced materials, and battery-supply-chain innovation, building on the state’s significant lithium resources in the Smackover Formation.
“We are excited to announce the continuation of our Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator program for 2026 in support of our state’s emerging leadership in building an independent lithium-ion battery supply chain for the U.S.,” said Arthur Orduña, executive director of The Venture Center. “Building on the success of our first two cohorts in 2025, we look forward to bringing promising new technology companies to meet with lithium producers, state and local government and business leaders, academic institutions, and the investor community in South, Central, and Northwest Arkansas.”
ALTA supports early-stage and growth-stage companies working across the lithium and battery value chain, including extraction, processing, materials science, recycling, manufacturing, and enabling technologies. The multi-week accelerator provides founders with direct access to industry partners, research institutions, policymakers, and investors, along with curated programming designed to accelerate commercialization and deployment.
“The University of Arkansas is excited to join our industry and entrepreneurial support partners in welcoming the third ALTA cohort to the state,” said Erik Pollock, director of the University of Arkansas Stable Isotope Lab. “We look forward to showcasing the people and expertise of the University and demonstrating how we are uniquely positioned to support the development of Arkansas’ lithium economy. We are proud to be engaged in building this emerging industry.”
“Strengthening America’s battery supply chain requires coordination across industry, research institutions, and government,” said Chad Martin, vice president of U.S. operations at Standard Lithium. “ALTA brings those stakeholders together in Arkansas, accelerating innovation while supporting responsible development and long-term economic growth in the region.”
The 2025 ALTA program included two cohorts and brought technology companies from across the U.S. and abroad to Arkansas to engage directly with major lithium producers, academic researchers, economic development leaders, and policymakers. Program activities took place in El Dorado, Magnolia, Little Rock, and Bentonville, offering founders firsthand exposure to the state’s rapidly growing lithium ecosystem.
2025 ALTA Cohort Companies included:
Nano One (Cohort One)
RAM Geothermal (Cohort One)
Telescope Innovations (Cohort One)
Lithios (Cohort Two)
Menen Group (Cohort Two)
Tyfast Energy (Cohort Two)
ALTA is delivered by The Venture Center in partnership with Standard Lithium, the University of Arkansas, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and additional public and private partners, and is funded by the Walton Family Foundation, among others.
Companies interested in applying can submit an application at any time. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, with selections made sequentially for upcoming cohorts.
To learn more about ALTA or to apply, visit www.venturecenter.co.
###
About The Venture Center
The Venture Center is a globally recognized Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) based in Arkansas. It supports entrepreneurs in building successful, high-growth businesses through world-class mentorship, programming, and investor connections, fueling economic growth in Arkansas and beyond. Learn more at www.venturecenter.co.
About Standard Lithium Ltd.
Standard Lithium is a near-commercial lithium development company advancing high-grade lithium-brine projects in the U.S., with a focus on sustainability and scalable Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology. Its flagship operations are located in the Smackover Formation across Arkansas and Texas, including a greenfield project in partnership with Equinor. Standard Lithium trades on the TSX Venture Exchange and NYSE American under the symbol “SLI”; learn more at www.standardlithium.com.
About University of Arkansas
As Arkansas’ flagship institution, the University of Arkansas offers more than 200 academic programs and contributes over $3 billion annually to the state’s economy through education, research, and workforce development. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having the highest level of research activity and is ranked among the nation’s top public universities by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.
For more information, contact:
Viktoria Capek | (770) 557-6196
viktoria.capek@venturecenter.co