Arkade names first EIR as members raise $28.8M in year one
What's the deal? ArkadeDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a Bentonville-based retail technology and supply chain greenhouse, has named serial entrepreneur John Collins as its first entrepreneur-in-residence. The move coincides with the venture's first anniversary on September 9.
Who is Collins? He has two exits behind him, OmniiXDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and ChargeguardDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and currently serves as chief executive officer of creatorXchangeDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, an ad network connecting creators with paid distribution across social media. "The Arkade community and space sits at the top of what I've been looking for," Collins said.
What does Arkade do? Founded by Are Traasdahl — who also founded AI retail data platform CrispDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and family office Spring CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → — Arkade gives growth-stage companies a US base near Northwest Arkansas' network of major retailers, suppliers, and logistics firms. It is now home to 14 member companies and three program-level partners: Endeavor Heartland, Fuse AcceleratorDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and Nasdaq Milestone CirclesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
By the numbers: In their first year, member companies raised $28.8 million, with a further $15 million in the pipeline. Members secured 10 pilots and contracts with retailers including WalmartDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, TysonDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and Home DepotDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and created 15 jobs in the region.
Why Bentonville? The city is Walmart's home turf and a magnet for suppliers wanting proximity to the retailer. Arkade pitches itself as a springboard for companies to test, pilot, and build relationships before committing to a larger US footprint.
Why now? The anniversary lets Arkade show early traction while the EIR appointment signals a push to deepen its founder bench. "A year in, seeing our member companies land pilots with Walmart, Tyson, and Home Depot demonstrates exactly why brands are choosing to invest here," Traasdahl said.
The signal: Arkade's model bets that physical proximity to retail giants still matters for startups chasing enterprise deals. Its first-year figures suggest the pitch is drawing global companies to America's retail heartland — with a named entrepreneur-in-residence now anchoring the next cohort's ambitions.
Read more: rutlandherald.com
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