173 Startups Selected for Onward FX's Inaugural Physical Economy Program

BENTONVILLE, Ark. and LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Oct. 21, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Onward FX, the premier founder-funder exchange in the Heartland, has selected 173 startups from nearly 800 applicants for its inaugural program focused on the physical economy. These companies will convene in Little Rock on October 27, where they will meet with visiting investors and corporate partners for curated one-on-one meetings.

Among the selected startups, Mechro, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, stands out with its service AI that extends senior engineers' expertise across equipment dealer networks. Other notable companies include Riibotics, which offers autonomous forklifts that can be deployed in existing warehouses within a day, and Libi Materials, based in Phoenix, which processes rare earth and critical materials via molten-salt electrolysis.

The program, which has expanded statewide in 2025, aims to accelerate venture capital activity across high-growth markets. Since its launch in 2024, Onward FX has facilitated more than 1,000 curated founder-funder meetings and helped startups secure millions in venture capital investments nationwide.

The Exchange, Onward FX’s public program, will open at 10:30 a.m. on October 27 at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, 501 E. Ninth St. The event will feature a discussion titled “The Next Industrial Bet,” moderated by Daniel Oberhaus, a former Wired reporter and founder of HAUS, a communications agency specializing in deep technology. The conversation will explore where technologies built for defense can find broader markets, what separates a compelling story from a durable business, and where investors are placing their next bets.

Following the opening conversation, attendees will join open networking and two rounds of small-group discussions across four themes: “The Power Problem,” “The New Arsenal,” “The Machine Economy,” and “The Capital Map.” Topics include AI’s power demands, allied manufacturing capacity, automation, and the corporate partnerships that help startups reach the market. Each session will begin with a provocation and open to participant discussion.

The day will conclude with the Heartland Startup Community Happy Hour, open to founders, investors, and the community from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Rock Town Distillery, 1201 Main St. RSVPs are required for the happy hour.

Sponsors for this fall’s Onward FX include Vantora, Buffalo Builders, Rose Rock Bridge, Stephens Group, Venture Capital Services Group, Alex Brown | Raymond James, and Few. The Northwest Arkansas Council, founded in 1990 by Sam Walton, J.B. Hunt, Don Tyson, and other business leaders, serves as a regional convener for economic and community initiatives. The Council works to advance quality of life, attract talent, improve the workforce, create job opportunities, and upgrade infrastructure across the region.