Building an Edge Through the University of Arkansas Startup Pipeline

Most early-stage funds compete for access. Ours is built around it.

Dickson & Main was created to invest in startups emerging from the University of Arkansas. We believe there’s a consistent pipeline of high-potential ventures here that are not getting the early capital they need to grow. From research commercialization to student-led ventures and alumni-founded companies, the University of Arkansas ecosystem is producing a steady pipeline of high-growth ventures that are often overlooked by traditional investors.

There’s Real Momentum Inside the University‍

A growing set of programs is fueling that momentum, each playing a distinct role in supporting the university’s startup pipeline:

The Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation (OEI) creates hands-on entrepreneurship and innovation experiences for students across all disciplines, while also supporting early-stage startups across the state through its network of programs and spaces.
The Collaborative is the University of Arkansas education and research presence in Bentonville and catalyst to propel the state’s innovation ecosystem.
I³R is a public research institute with a dual mandate to advance research excellence and drive economic development. I³R focuses on advancing solutions across three key areas: Health Tech, Food Tech, and Cyber.

These programs create a strong, connected environment for founders, researchers, and students to validate ideas and build ventures.

“The talent and ideas coming out of the University have always been strong. What we’ve built over the last few years is the infrastructure to help those ideas become companies and to connect them with capital at the right moment.” - Toby Teeter, Director, The Collaborative

One example of what’s possible: AcreTrader, founded by University of Arkansas alumnus Carter Malloy, has raised more than $75 million in capital and attracted backing from investors like Drive Capital and Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Fund.

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How We Engage with the University Ecosystem‍

We work directly with the university teams supporting early-stage founders. That includes participating as mentors, judging competitions, and staying in regular contact with faculty and program leads.

This helps us build trusted relationships well before companies begin raising capital and develop a level of insight that’s difficult to gain from outside the ecosystem. With most venture capital still concentrated on the coasts, this part of the country is often overlooked, creating an opportunity to invest with more favorable economics.

Northwest Arkansas is also a distinctly founder-friendly region. Many entrepreneurs who start companies here choose to stay, attracted by the region’s low cost of doing business, collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem, and high quality of life. That local commitment leads to talent development and, over time, strengthens the broader ecosystem.

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What This Means for Investors‍

For our investors, this means access to early-stage startups that are often overlooked by traditional funds. We’re focused on a founder pipeline we know well and are positioned to support from the start.

We’ve been encouraged by the response from early supporters, including Arkansas alumni, operators, and others who see this both as a compelling investment opportunity and a way to support the University. If you’re an accredited investor interested in this approach or want to learn more about our work with the University of Arkansas, connect with us. We’d be happy to talk.