LITTLE ROCK — After a successful 2025 program year helping more than 500 businesses navigate government contracting, Arkansas APEX Accelerator program director Melanie Berman said the organization “looks forward to building momentum in 2026.”
The Arkansas APEX Accelerator is part of the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense.
The program, which offers its services for free, helps businesses sell goods and services to the government. Arkansas APEX Accelerator’s mission, Berman said, is to help Arkansas businesses obtain government contracts, which stimulate the state’s economy.
“Together, we have helped businesses navigate complex procurement processes, pursue contracting opportunities and build meaningful connections that strengthen both individual enterprises and our statewide economy,” Berman said. “We are especially proud of the success stories that emerged this year, from businesses securing new certifications and bids to growing capacity through workshops, panels and matchmaking events.”
From June 16-Dec. 15, 2025, Arkansas APEX Accelerator prepared 58 new state businesses to sell to either the Department of Defense or the U.S. federal government. Nine Arkansas businesses became newly certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA, and 102 state businesses received counseling on cybersecurity through the Arkansas APEX Accelerator.
The organization’s procurement counselors provided more than 1,800 hours of counseling to clients in 2025.
“Our clients and partners’ participation in trainings, one-on-one counseling sessions, contracting readiness efforts, networking events and community initiatives have been essential to advancing our shared mission of helping Arkansas companies successfully compete in government contracting at the federal, state and local levels,” Berman said.
January events
To kick off the new year, Arkansas APEX Accelerator will offer two information sessions in January. Both are free to attend, but registration is required.
The first session will focus on business cybersecurity fundamentals, designed specifically for small and mid-sized businesses. The event will be held Jan. 14 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Monticello Economic Development Commission at 211 West Gaines Street. Tim Hicks, procurement counselor for Arkansas APEX Accelerator, will provide strategies for strengthening companies’ cyber defenses.
Register for this event on the APEX Accelerator events calendar.
The second session will be an introduction to government contracting, hosted by the City of Little Rock. The event will be held Jan. 29 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center at 3805 West 12th Street. Also led by Hicks, attendees will learn about the basics of public procurements, the structured process through which federal, state and local government agencies source goods and services from private companies.
To register for this event, contact Kiana Ward at kjward@littlerock.gov, call 501-553-6909, or register online.
Visit the Arkansas APEX Accelerator page on the Cooperative Extension Service website to learn more.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
