At the intersection of trailblazing technology and cycling culture sits the Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA), a first-of-its-kind initiative fueling the next wave of innovation in the bike industry. Powered by vision, collaboration, and bold ideas, the AGCA is helping entrepreneurs around the world turn breakthrough concepts into real-world solutions. Bentonville, Arkansas, is the launchpad.

PeopleForBikes is a proud supporter of the AGCA. This program reflects everything we value: entrepreneurship, infrastructure, global connectivity, and a deep belief in the power of bikes to change the world. As we work to strengthen the bike industry in Northwest Arkansas and beyond, AGCA’s momentum is a clear signal, the future of cycling is being built locally.

Led by Visionaries

Spearheading this initiative is Zoe Maddox, Ph.D, director of business incubation at the University of Arkansas, whose leadership has been instrumental in transforming Bentonville into a global proving ground for bike industry innovation.

“This program is about more than accelerating products — it’s about accelerating the future of cycling itself,” said Dr. Maddox. “We’re proud to provide these startups with not just mentorship and tools, but a community that believes in their success.”

Global Talent, Local Impact

In its inaugural year, the AGCA received 64 applications from 15 countries. Ten standout startups from seven nations were selected to join the first cohort, each bringing a game-changing idea to life.

Meet the 2025 Cohort

• Blubrake (Italy) — ABS braking systems for e-bikes.
• BrakeAce (New Zealand) — Braking performance analytics for cyclists.
• Hightag (USA) — Automated action footage of your best ride moments.
• Kino Bikes (France) — Next-gen cargo bike frames.
• Link My Ride (UK) — Social ride planning and group ride tools.
• Lockstop (USA) — Anti-theft mobility systems with integrated insights.
• NOCA (Germany) — Data ecosystems for cycling supply chains.
• Posedla (Czech Republic) — Custom 3D-printed bike saddles.
• Skarper (UK) — One-click e-bike conversion devices.
• TrailPilot (USA) — Audio GPS navigation for mountain biking adventures.

“The AGCA was a great opportunity,” said Matt Miller, founder of BrakeAce. “Building a business in the cycling industry from New Zealand can feel quite isolating, so it was great to connect with other founders in the same industry who can empathize with the unique challenges we face together.”

Mentorship Meets Momentum

Workshops from cycling’s top minds supercharged the AGCA experience, covering everything from product design and storytelling to risk management and market expansion.

“Helping founders understand the pathways to investment and sustainable growth is critical,” said René Wiertz of Fundracer Capital. “The AGCA is building the bridge between bold ideas and business-ready solutions.”

“This accelerator is unique because it pairs big ideas with big opportunities. Bentonville is quickly becoming the epicenter of cycling innovation,” added Doug Baker of SHIFT Active Media.

“The cycling industry needs to invest in its startups and innovations to stay competitive,” said Anna Buchmann, CEO and co-founder of NOCA. “With its industry focus, AGCA has managed to build a support programme that actually provides value, from networking opportunities to visibility and a community of entrepreneurs. We need to see more of these initiatives.”

Bentonville: More Than a Backdrop

AGCA cohort companies established residency in Bentonville in May during a series of major industry events, including E-Mobility Day, the NBDA Summit, and Bentonville Bike Fest. This gave founders firsthand access to leading brands, retailers, media partners, and policymakers.

Industry Engagement Highlights

• Walmart Workplace Mobility Team — Distribution insights and corporate partnerships.
• Allied Cycle Works — Tour and product development deep dive.
• Runway Group — Community business development.
• Visit Bentonville — Local tourism and event alignment.
• Bentonville Moves Coalition — Urban planning and mobility.
• Gnargo Bike Company + SPEC PR — Branding and PR for early-stage startups.
• PeopleForBikes — Advocacy integration and industry connections.

“Through the AGCA, we not only deepened our connection to PeopleForBikes but also joined a mission-aligned community that’s helping shape the future of active transportation,” said Clayton Woodruff, COO and co-founder of Lockstop. “It was both grounding and inspiring to be surrounded by others solving real-world problems in smart, collaborative ways.”

“Participating in AGCA has been a game-changer for Posedla,” said Jiri Duzar, co-founder of Posedla. “It gave us a deeper foothold in the U.S. cycling ecosystem and connected us with industry leaders who share our vision for innovation and rider comfort.”

Demo Night: Innovation on Display

The program’s capstone was a demo night at Ledger, the world’s first bikeable office building. Each cohort company showcased its innovations through live product demos, investor pitches, and storytelling sessions.

“The AGCA proves that when we invest in innovation and community, we can unlock extraordinary new ideas for cycling,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “It’s not just the future of bike products that’s being shaped, it’s the future of the bike industry. We’re thrilled to support this next generation of industry leaders as they help us create a more connected, sustainable, and rider-focused future.”

“The demo night was electric,” said Mark Marsiglio, founder of TrailPilot. “It wasn’t just about pitching, it was about becoming part of a global network that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cycling.”

“The program has been instrumental in shaping our thinking about the U.S. market,” said Uri Meirovich, COO and co-founder of Skarper. “It gave us the knowhow and key contacts to pursue U.S. expansion and connected us with some of the most influential people in the cycling industry all in one week.”

A Movement Worth Accelerating

The Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator is launching a movement. One where bold ideas, powerful networks, and passionate people come together to build a better bike industry.

At PeopleForBikes, we’re honored to be part of that journey. As we continue our work in Northwest Arkansas and across the country, programs like AGCA demonstrate what’s possible when innovation meets purpose and when bikes serve as the vehicle.

Powered by Philanthropy

PeopleForBikes’ sponsorship of the Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator was made possible through a generous grant from the Morgridge Family Foundation, an organization that invests in big ideas that reimagine solutions to some of today's most significant challenges. Their support is helping empower global innovators and strengthen the bike industry from the ground up.

Want to connect with AGCA participants or support the next cohort?
Reach out to PeopleForBikes or visit: cyclingaccelerator.com.