The Venture Center on Monday (July 14) in El Dorado 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 hand-picked energy technology startups with Arkansas-based lithium producers such as Standard Lithium, alongside academic, government and economic development partners. ALTA is designed to position Arkansas as the epicenter 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 breakthrough 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; and
- Nano One – Patented cathode production for lithium-ion batteries to support localization, cost, permitting, and security goals.
“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,” said Arthur Orduña, executive director of The Venture Center…