Ozark Retail Accelerator Launches Inaugural Cohort

The Ozark Retail Accelerator, which focuses on helping companies strengthen their product offerings for placement in large retail chains, has launched its inaugural cohort with 12 diverse companies from across Arkansas.

The accelerator, overseen by Act-II Capital Holdings, was conceived to help companies within the consumer-packaged goods industry is designed to help companies strengthen their product offerings, prepare for placement in large retail chains and build sustainable, scalable businesses.

The cohort includes startups touching multiple industries within the retail spectrum, including food and beverage, personal care, home and garden, and pet care.

The 12-week hybrid program launches March 31 and combines digital programming with in-person events at the beginning and end of the cohort. Participants will gain access to retail operators, former buyers and category leaders who have built, scaled and launched supplier brands within some of the world's largest omnichannel retailers.

The program's core facilitation team includes former merchants and suppliers with more than 150 years of combined large-scale retail experience.

Act-II Capital Holdings was awarded funding by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to develop and operate the accelerator. The firm is partnering with the U of A's Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Bentonville Chamber of Commerce and Benedict Enterprises to ensure the program delivers value to every company.

ORA's Spring 2026 Cohort

Barham's Ozark Beef

Conway
Founder: John Edwin "Ed" Linck Jr.
Beef Snob Snack Sticks are premium, ready-to-eat beef snack sticks crafted for consumers who care about where their food comes from and how their food is made. Beef Snob Snack Sticks are made from all-natural, pasture raised beef with no added hormones, no fillers and no artificial coloring.

Carbon Chicken

Fayetteville
Founder: Richard Ims
Carbon Chicken Project has created a complete, three-part system to not just feed your plants, but to build a thriving, resilient and carbon-negative ecosystem right in your backyard.

femPAQ Inc.

Fayetteville
Founder: April Roy
femPAQ develops ready-to-use period preparedness kits that deliver essential menstrual care in one discreet, portable solution. Designed for unexpected moments at school, work, travel, athletics or daily life, femPAQ products ensure users have immediate access to what they need without disruption or embarrassment.

Hillfolk

Bentonville
Founder: Beatrice Apple
Hillfolk manages a dual-channel product portfolio that spans artisanal small-batch goods and mass-market craft innovations. Its flagship brick-and-mortar presence in downtown Bentonville serves as a curated incubator for high-quality home goods and heritage crafts.

Mom's Kitchen B&B LLC

Bentonville
Founder: Daniel Schroeder
Peanut Pupper is a delicious, all-natural, CBD-infused peanut butter for dogs who need help calming down or getting around. Dogs don't just love our product, their humans do, too, because it works.

Muckender

Bentonville
Founder: Joshua Stanley
Muckender is the first dual-action cleaning towel built for the way hardworking people actually live. Muckender Towels are heavy-duty enough to cut through job-site grime (grease, caulk, wet paint, dust), yet safe enough to wipe your hands and your face.

Natural State Beverage Company

Rogers
Founder: Ty Cloud
Made with real ingredients and reduced sugar, Modern Soda is a functional inspired soda made for people who want more intention in what they drink without giving up flavor or familiarity. It sits between traditional soda and nonalcoholic options by pairing classic soda flavors with thoughtfully sourced mushroom extracts.

New Creations Manufacturer LLC

Newport
Founder: Dwight Davis
Hitch Step is a patented, heavy-duty receiver-mounted step designed to improve safety, accessibility and ease of use for trucks, trailers and work vehicles. Built with durability and real-world utility in mind, Hitch Step provides a stable, secure platform for accessing truck beds, toolboxes and trailer components—without sacrificing towing capability.

Pedal Pops

Farmington
Founder: Mike Thompson
Pedal Pops produces all-natural frozen treats made with real fruit and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Our core product line consists of frozen fruit pops crafted from fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables, designed to deliver bold, authentic flavor without artificial additives or unnecessary fillers.

Power Up Pickles

Garfield
Founder: Katie Barrow
Power Up Pickles are made for people in motion. Whether crushing a workout, chasing kids, hiking a trail or heading out the door for a long day, these pickles deliver bold flavor and functional fuel — no fork, no mess, no slowing down.

Roasties

Bentonville
Founder: Collin Whittington
Roasties' Coffee Campfire Starter is an all-natural fire-starting product made from only two natural ingredients: recycled coffee husks from coffee roasters and organic beeswax. It is designed for use in campfires, indoor fireplaces, fire pits, grills, smokers and more! Coffee Campfire Starter contains NO petroleum, paraffin, plastics, kerosene, synthetic additives or fillers.

Sam & Sam's Products

Corning
Founder: Carrie Elizabeth Luter
Nona Belle's Genuine Golden Fry is a versatile, gluten-free cornmeal mixture to use on bread, pork, poultry, seafood, venison and vegetables without adding any ingredients to the meal. It comes in regular and Louisiana Cajun style.

About Act-II Capital Holdings: Act-II Capital Holdings is a boutique, customer-centric strategy and innovation firm based in Bentonville, Arkansas. Founded in 2019 by Shawn Baldwin and Matt Herlevic, Act-II specializes in identifying overlooked market opportunities and building differentiated consumer brands designed to succeed in modern retail. Act-II-backed brands are sold in hundreds of retail locations nationwide and across leading global e-commerce platforms.

About the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio and Startup Village, OEI provides free workshops and programs, including venture internships, competitions and startup coaching. A unit of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and the Division of Economic Development, OEI also supports students and entrepreneurs launching new ventures or innovating within existing organizations.