Initially contrived in the twitters by @cowfartcop as a reaction to the governor’s call to action, this organization was created as a non-profit tech incubator as a way to help curious, talented and capable Arkansans (and others, it aint all just about us lucky folk here in the natural state) to hone and apply their technological and problem solving skills in the real world

Our approach is based in the open source ethos, and grounded in the notion that humanity is not a zero sum game. By learning from each other, and joining together to do that which is useful to others, our future improves just as certainly as our present

Current summary of the Org

Near-term Focus: Establish a 501(c)(3) non-profit technology incubator focused on promoting careers in high-demand, interdisciplinary technology and applied systems within Arkansas and nationwide. The organization will leverage an AI/Robotics/Manufacturing lab to accelerate creativity and capabilities across diverse career tracks

Mission Pillars: Applied Technology & Systems (AI, Robotics, Energy), Creative & Experiential Design (Gaming, UX), and Production & Quality Control (Ergonomics, Manufacturing)

Core Initiatives (Focus Tracks):

  1. Applied Tech/Systems: AI/ML, Distributed File Systems, Solar Power, Crypto Mining, IoT, Autonomous Vehicles (drones, farm vehicles, e-bikes), Experimental Materials (graphene, mycellium)
  2. Creative Design: Game Development, Narrative Economics, Community Management, AR/VR Experience Creation, QA (cheese puffs and Mountain Dew)
  3. Production Systems: Agriculture, Robotics, Ergonomics, Additive Manufacturing, Supply Chain Logistics

Administrative & Operational Needs:

  1. Governance: Formal 501(c)(3) setup, strict Bylaws, and clear financial tracking (essential for Government/grant compliance)
  2. Management: Robust volunteer time tracking system and transparent reporting mechanisms to track program delivery vs. outcome (e.g., career placement)
  3. Facility Plan: Design a shared lab environment (1500-2500 sq. ft.) capable of housing robotics, AI compute, 3D printing, and design workstations, with dedicated space for an incubator hub

Outreach & Leadership Strategy:

  • Outreach:
    • AFK…Gamers, local industry professionals, regulators, educators, entrepreneurs, and students
    • Online…same, but potentially remote
  • Leadership:
    • Gathering of leaders who bridge technical expertise (engineers, developers) with community engagement skills (educators, business leaders)
    • Inclusive of non-builders (Govt ‘partner’ board seat, ceremonial non-voting)

Competition Strategy:

  • Goal: Create high-engagement competitions using the lab resources to test skills
  • Avenues for Competition: ESports tournaments, AI Game Design, Battle Bots, Drone Logistics Challenges, Ergonomic Design Sprints, App Creation Sprints, etc…
  • Scale Recommendation: Start with 20–30 teams for deep mentorship (Phase 1), scaling up to 50–100 teams (Phase 2) through partnerships