Fayetteville's Top 10 Startups That Tech Professionals Should Watch Out For in 2025

Fayetteville's startup scene is hitting new heights in 2025, with exciting developments reshaping the tech landscape. The city is becoming a serious player in Arkansas's startup ecosystem, with Startup Junkie Consulting leading a $1.2 million state initiative to boost tech entrepreneurship.

The energy is real - just check out the sixth annual NWA Startup Crawl, which connects thousands of innovators and entrepreneurs in downtown Fayetteville.

What's super cool is that the University of Arkansas is stepping up with programs like their Student Business Incubator and Venture Intern Program, creating real opportunities for new entrepreneurs.

The Root Coworking is expanding with a new North Fayetteville location, and the entrepreneurial scene is getting a boost from free legal support through the Entrepreneurial Law Project.

Tech professionals can find opportunities in everything from machine learning to digital marketing, with local startups contributing millions to the economy. With lower operational costs than major tech hubs and a growing skilled workforce, Fayetteville is seriously positioning itself as an attractive destination for tech talent and innovative startups.

Our selection process for Fayetteville's top startups in 2025 reflects the city's emerging role as a tech powerhouse. The criteria focused heavily on innovation metrics, particularly highlighting companies participating in student-led ventures and entrepreneurial initiatives that demonstrate strong market potential.

We've seen incredible growth in areas like agricultural technology, with companies like AcreTrader making waves by landing on Forbes' Best Startup Employers list.

The startup ecosystem here is thriving, especially with the introduction of new resources like The Root coworking space opening in 2025, which is already creating buzz among local entrepreneurs.

Each startup was evaluated based on innovation capacity, market impact, growth potential, financial stability, and community contribution. Our research team analyzed funding data, conducted interviews with founders, and tracked performance metrics through various stages of development.

What's particularly exciting is how many of these startups are leveraging local talent, with many founders and team members coming from University of Arkansas programs.

The selection process prioritized companies showing clear paths to scalability and those already making measurable impacts in their respective industries. We're seeing a real shift toward sustainable growth models, with many startups focusing on long-term viability rather than just quick wins.

The energy in Fayetteville's startup scene is electric right now, and these companies are proof that you don't need to be in Silicon Valley to build something revolutionary.

BroThrow is crushing it in Fayetteville's tech scene with their fresh take on sports betting. This patent-pending peer-to-peer betting network started beta testing in late 2019 and has totally changed how friends bet on sports.

Instead of dealing with bookies or offshore sites, users can throw bets directly to their friends or the community. BroThrow has already handled over $100 million in total wagers, and their user base has doubled every year since 2022.

The platform is making waves in Fayetteville, helping users save money by eliminating traditional juice/vig fees that sportsbooks usually charge.

The founders Mary Taylor, Chad Dickinson, and James Miller created something that feels more like social media for sports betting, and it's honestly pretty genius.

The platform lets you organize bets, track everything easily, and settle up through regular payment apps. They're not trying to be another typical sportsbook - they're revolutionizing betting with a social twist, making it way more transparent and fun.

The company hit a major milestone in November when they became cashflow positive, and they're already in talks with major companies about potential partnerships.

With sports betting now legal in 37 states, BroThrow is perfectly positioned to keep growing and changing how people bet on sports.

Lineus Medical is making waves in healthcare with their SafeBreak Vascular device, which just received FDA clearance for use on all vascular access lines for patients as young as two weeks old.

This breakthrough device is changing the game when it comes to IV safety. The clinical data speaks for itself - a recent study at Hartford Hospital showed a massive 44% reduction in IV complications when using SafeBreak.

What makes this device so cool is how it prevents IV complications like phlebitis and infiltration by automatically separating when harmful force is applied to the line.

The best part? Both ends seal instantly, so there's no mess from medication spills or blood loss. According to recent research, IV catheters are hitting vein walls more than half the time, which can cause all sorts of problems.

But SafeBreak's smart design helps prevent these issues before they start.

For nurses, this means less time cleaning up spills and dealing with IV restarts, and more time actually taking care of patients. For patients, it means fewer needle sticks and faster treatment.

And for hospitals? They're saving money on supplies and creating better experiences for everyone involved. This is exactly the kind of innovation that's making healthcare better in 2025.

In the dynamic world of digital marketing, Runwae has emerged as a game-changing platform connecting influencers and marketers in Fayetteville.

Founded in 2019 by Thomas Hernandez and Latarence Butts, this innovative startup provides a secure space where marketers can post opportunities and influencers can engage directly with brands.

What makes Runwae special is how it handles the entire transaction process, from initial contact to final payment, taking a percentage of each successful collaboration.

The platform's straightforward approach to influencer marketing sets it apart, making it easier for both sides to find their perfect match.

Taking inspiration from industry giants like Runway Influence's success with major brands such as Adidas and McLaren, Runwae focuses on creating authentic connections between marketers and content creators.

The platform's built-in security features and transparent pricing model give users peace of mind, while its automated systems streamline the collaboration process.

What's really cool is how Runwae goes beyond just being a matching platform - they've even launched their own apparel brand to stay deeply connected with influencer culture.

Looking at the bigger picture, data analytics and consumer behavior tracking are at the heart of Runwae's strategy.

The platform helps marketers make smart decisions by providing real-time engagement metrics and audience insights. By focusing on building lasting relationships rather than one-off deals, Runwae is creating a sustainable ecosystem where both influencers and brands can grow together.

This approach has made them a rising star in Fayetteville's tech scene, earning recognition for their innovative solution to influencer marketing challenges.

Curvahedra is revolutionizing educational technology from right here in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Created by mathematician Edmund Harriss, this ingenious construction puzzle system lets you build amazing geometric structures without glue or tape.

What's really cool about Curvahedra is how it brings complex math concepts to life - you can actually see and touch the geometry while building spheres, cones, and other 3D shapes.

The company started as a successful Kickstarter project that raised over $17,000, proving there's serious interest in creative ways to learn math.

The system has evolved to include stronger connectors and more durable materials, making it perfect for both classroom use and personal exploration. One of their most impressive installations is a massive 12-foot diameter spherical structure at the University of Arkansas' Gearhart Hall, funded by a $50,000 grant.

This installation demonstrates how Curvahedra's principles can scale from handheld puzzles to architectural features. The system is especially popular among students, artists, and puzzle enthusiasts who want to understand complex mathematical concepts through hands-on exploration.

Whether you're building a simple ball or experimenting with hyperbolic geometry, Curvahedra makes abstract math concepts tangible and fun. The company's innovative approach to combining education, art, and technology positions it as a standout startup in Fayetteville's growing tech scene.

With its focus on creative learning and practical applications, Curvahedra is definitely a company to watch in 2025.

MORE Technologies is transforming education through open-source robotics technology, making STEM learning accessible and engaging for students.

Recent studies from the International Journal of STEM Education confirm that educational robotics significantly improves learning outcomes and student engagement.

The platform's open-source model creates a collaborative community where educators and developers continuously enhance the learning experience. According to recent research in AI education, robotics integration is crucial for preparing students for future technological careers, making MORE Technologies' approach particularly relevant.

Their innovative programs have shown remarkable results, with participating schools reporting increased student engagement in STEM subjects and improved problem-solving abilities.

The platform's success lies in its ability to make complex technological concepts approachable while fostering a hands-on learning environment that encourages experimentation and creativity.

By breaking down traditional barriers to STEM education, MORE Technologies is creating opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to access quality robotics education.

Their commitment to affordable, accessible technology aligns perfectly with the growing demand for practical STEM learning tools in classrooms. The impact extends beyond basic education - students develop critical thinking skills, learn collaborative problem-solving, and gain confidence in working with emerging technologies.

As artificial intelligence and robotics become increasingly important in our daily lives, MORE Technologies' platform provides essential training ground for tomorrow's innovators.

Cardiowise Inc. is revolutionizing cardiac care with its machine learning-powered diagnostic platform that transforms how doctors analyze heart health.

Their cloud-based software processes cardiac CT scans in under 10 minutes, providing quantifiable data that helps doctors make faster, more accurate decisions.

Their tech is the first ML solution developed for 4D cardiac CT analysis, giving healthcare providers a complete picture of heart function.

Based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Cardiowise partnered with some seriously impressive institutions - Johns Hopkins University, Emory University, and UC San Diego have all used their technology in clinical trials.

The company's growth got a major boost when they were selected for the Edison Accelerator program with GE Healthcare, which puts their software directly on GE's online marketplace.

With cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death worldwide, Cardiowise's approach to early detection and monitoring could be a game-changer. The company is expanding its team, bringing on radiologic technologists, medical physicists, and biomedical engineers to support their mission of making cardiac diagnostics more accessible and accurate.

Their platform represents a shift from traditional qualitative analysis to data-driven, quantitative diagnosis, helping doctors make better-informed decisions without replacing their expertise.

AMBOTS is revolutionizing manufacturing with its nature-inspired swarm robotics technology that mirrors how bees and ants work together in colonies.

Based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this startup has created a system where multiple autonomous robots collaborate to 3D print and assemble products, completely transforming traditional manufacturing methods.

The technology uses specialized mobile robots equipped with various tools, from filament extruders to pick-and-place mechanisms, working in perfect sync on an electrified floor that provides wireless power.

What makes this system truly innovative is its ability to balance speed and quality - faster robots handle interior structures while precision-focused units manage exterior details.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect is that these robot teams can tackle projects of any size, from small consumer products to large-scale structures, without being limited by traditional build volumes.

The company's chunk-based printing method, as outlined in their recent research publication, actually produces stronger bonds than conventional 3D printing techniques.

This advancement isn't just about making things faster - it's about creating a completely new manufacturing paradigm where robots can self-organize, communicate, and adapt to different tasks on demand.

For tech professionals looking to be part of the next industrial revolution, AMBOTS represents the cutting edge of what's possible when robotics meets additive manufacturing, promising to make "lights-out" manufacturing a reality in the near future.

Tesseract Structural Innovations is changing the game in automotive safety with their Uniform Deceleration Unit (UDU), a revolutionary technology that's seriously upgrading how cars handle crashes.

The National Safety Council reports that about 40,000 people lose their lives and 4.5 million get injured in car accidents, which makes this innovation super important.

The UDU is a smart sandwich of materials - it combines a tough aluminum outer shell with this amazing metallic foam from Cymat Technologies that absorbs crash energy like nothing else out there.

What makes this tech extra cool is that it can be customized for different vehicles, whether you're driving a compact car or a massive pickup truck.

The way this system works is pretty mind-blowing - it's designed to take the hit during a crash while keeping the force from reaching dangerous levels.

During testing on a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado, the UDU proved it could handle serious impact without letting vehicle parts intrude into the space where people sit.

Even better, research shows that the UDU can absorb 25% more kinetic energy than traditional systems.

For electric vehicles, they've created special versions that protect battery packs during side impacts, absorbing over 40% more energy than standard structures.

This isn't just another safety feature - it's literally reshaping how we think about protecting people in cars.

Sport Sapien is transforming athletic training with their breakthrough mobile app for workout planning and monitoring.

The app lets teams and individual athletes schedule, track, and adjust their training throughout the season, all backed by exercise science. What makes this truly next-level is how it aligns with 2025's biggest sports tech trends, including AI-powered analytics and wearable technology that provide real-time insights into performance metrics.

The platform automatically adapts training programs based on an athlete's progress data, helping prevent injuries while optimizing results.

The system leverages advanced tracking tools that monitor everything from movement patterns to recovery markers, enabling coaches to make data-driven decisions about training intensity and load.

Recent studies show this technology-driven approach can reduce injury risks by up to 30% while improving performance metrics across the board. Sport Sapien stands out by incorporating cutting-edge biosensor technology that tracks key physiological markers, similar to what elite endurance athletes use for optimizing their training.

What's really cool is how Sport Sapien integrates virtual reality training environments, allowing athletes to practice complex scenarios without physical strain.

The platform's AI analyzes performance data to create personalized training recommendations, factoring in everything from sleep quality to muscle fatigue. This comprehensive approach to athlete development represents a major shift in how we think about sports training, making high-level performance optimization accessible to athletes at all levels.

ObiiGO is changing the game in car repairs with its groundbreaking auto repair bidding app that puts control back in drivers' hands.

The app sends repair quotes straight to your phone, letting you compare prices and schedule services with just a few taps. What makes it even better is their "Repair Now, Pay Later" feature with zero interest and no credit checks required.

According to industry insights, ObiiGO is launching a rewards program in 2025 that will let users earn points for every service, from oil changes to repairs, redeemable at over 400 stores.

The app's success isn't just talk - customers have reported saving up to 70% on repairs, and independent repair shops are seeing major benefits too. In fact, data shows that 75% of aftermarket auto repairs are done by independent shops, and ObiiGO is helping these businesses thrive by covering 100% of merchant fees and marketing costs.

The app's innovative features include real-time diagnostic code checking, direct messaging with shops, and transparent pricing that eliminates any chance of discrimination since shops only see the car make and VIN. Plus, the service history tracking feature is super helpful when it comes time to resell your vehicle.

For anyone who's ever stressed about that dreaded check engine light or struggled to find a trustworthy mechanic, ObiiGO is seriously the solution we've all been waiting for.

It's not just another app - it's revolutionizing how we handle car repairs by making the whole process easier, faster, and way more affordable.

The startup scene in Fayetteville is seriously taking off, and our methodology for selecting the top players focuses on what's actually making waves right now.

The University of Arkansas Venture Intern Program has been crucial in identifying these emerging companies, connecting talented students directly with startups that are disrupting the market.

The selection process looks at three main things: how innovative they are, what impact they're making, and their potential to scale up. We're seeing these companies introduce totally new solutions to old problems, and the numbers back it up - startup employment in the region is growing 8.5% yearly.

These startups are crushing it because they're solving real problems with smart tech.

AcreTrader, recently recognized by Forbes, shows how Fayetteville startups are revolutionizing traditional industries through technology.

The startup ecosystem is getting a major boost from new initiatives too - like the Student Business Incubator that's letting students actually get paid to work on their startups.

What's really cool is how these companies are growing.

The Root's expansion to Fayetteville in 2025 is just one example of how the local tech scene is expanding.

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission's data suggests this growth trend isn't slowing down anytime soon. We're looking at a potential 20% expansion in the next five years, which is honestly pretty incredible.

Fayetteville is absolutely crushing it as a startup hub, with some seriously impressive numbers to back it up. The city is experiencing a massive 25.6% growth in startups over the last three years, with success stories like RevUnit generating over $30 million in revenue and Movista growing from just 6 to more than 200 employees.

The University of Arkansas's entrepreneurship program just landed at #22 in Princeton Review's top rankings, showing how the education scene is totally in sync with the startup vibe.

The sixth annual NWA Startup Crawl is coming up, which is perfect for networking and seeing what's new in the tech scene.

Plus, with companies like AcreTrader and WattGlass innovating in areas from fintech to renewable energy, there's room for everyone to make their mark.

The city's Economic Vitality Master Plan is focused on sustainable growth and removing barriers for new entrepreneurs, making it easier than ever to launch a startup.

With over $145 million in venture capital funding flowing in last year alone and a projected 18% industry growth by 2024, Fayetteville isn't just talking about being a tech hub - it's actually making it happen.