(The Venture Center)
The Venture Center on Monday launched the Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator (ALTA) — the first U.S.-based accelerator dedicated to lithium and battery supply chain innovation.
The three-week program connects energy technology startups with lithium producers such as Standard Lithium, alongside academic, government and economic development partners.
The accelerator aims to position Arkansas as the center of lithium technology innovation, while advancing U.S. leadership in battery supply chain solutions and accelerating commercial deployment of next-generation energy technologies.
The 2025 inaugural cohort features three companies developing solutions across mineral processing, geothermal deployment and battery materials:
Telescope Innovations — Automating and optimizing lithium and critical mineral
processing
RAM Geothermal — Deploying geothermal solutions in Arkansas’ Smackover region
Nano One — Patented cathode production for lithium-ion batteries to support localization, cost, permitting and security goals
The program will take place across El Dorado, Magnolia, Little Rock and northwest Arkansas. It will include curated meetings, pitch opportunities and pilot planning sessions with lithium producers, researchers, government officials and investors.
The participating cohort companies will gain pilot opportunities with Arkansas-based lithium producers, access to private and non-dilutive investors, increased visibility with industry media and analysts and support from economic development leaders on establishing an Arkansas presence.
“We are very excited to launch the Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator, our newest and potentially most impactful program for the state’s long-term economic benefit, and the first industry-driven lithium battery supply chain accelerator in the country,” Arthur Orduña, executive director of The Venture Center, said in a press release.
ALTA will be led by The Venture Center, with support from industry partners Standard Lithium, Albemarle, Lanxess and Tetra Technologies, academic partners University of Arkansas, South Arkansas College and Southern Arkansas University, with funding support from the Walton Family Foundation.
The program will conclude July 31 with a Demo Day in northwest Arkansas.
“The ALTA program is just another example of the state’s dedication to supporting the nascent lithium industry and maximizing the potential economic impact of Smackover lithium brine to Arkansas,” Jesse Edmonson, director of government relations for Standard Lithium, said in the release. “Investing in lithium extraction and processing innovation as well as complimentary energy technologies like next-generation geothermal will put the state of Arkansas at the forefront of building domestic critical mineral supply chains and securing America’s energy future.”