Arkansas APEX Accelerator is committed to the success of Arkansas businesses. 

The Arkansas APEX Accelerator has provided services to Arkansas-based businesses since 1993. In that time, more than a billion dollars in contract awards in federal and state contracts have been performed by our clients. Arkansas APEX Accelerator is committed to the success of Arkansas businesses in government contracting and economic growth in Arkansas.

Arkansas APEX Accelerator is part of the Community, Professional, and Economic Development Department of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. We have partnered together to bring Arkansans this program.

Arkansas PTAC is now Arkansas APEX Accelerator

Introducing APEX Accelerators--serving as the axis for existing and new businesses to strengthen the defense industrial base and beyond by accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity, and establishing resilient and diverse supply chains.

Footage in video was captured on November 7, 2022 for the unveiling of the rebranding of PTACs to APEX Accelerators by DoD OSBP Director Farooq A. Mitha.

Mission

The Mission of the Arkansas APEX Accelerator is to provide training and resources that help Arkansas businesses generate revenues and thereby create or retain jobs for Arkansans through successful government contracting.

Vision

The Vision of Arkansas APEX Accelerator is to be the recognized source of knowledge and assistance for Arkansas companies to compete and perform successfully as vendors to public agencies and for agencies to achieve their diversity goals.

Operation

Arkansas APEX Accelerator serves Arkansas businesses in all 75 counties at no charge from offices in Little Rock, Bentonville, and Jonesboro. The County Extension Staff Chairs in each county help to connect the program to the local community.

The Little Rock, Bentonville, and Jonesboro offices are open 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Counseling is done by appointment.

History

Arkansas APEX Accelerator started in 1988 as an offshoot of the Entrepreneurial Services Center operated by the University of Arkansas.

In 1993, the University entered into a cost sharing cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense (DoD) to participate in the nationwide APEX Accelerator Program. Under this agreement, Arkansas APEX Accelerator serves Arkansas businesses and dozens of public agencies. 

In the spring of 2015, we opened a satellite office at NorthWest Arkansas Community College campus in Bentonville, and our satellite office located at Newport Economic Development Commission opened in the spring of 2023.