The ARK Challenge, founded in 2012, is a mentorship-driven accelerator program that selects up to 10 startups from around the world to participate in a 14-week entrepreneurial bootcamp challenge in Little Rock. In exchange for a 6% equity stake, each selected startup receives $20K, product development and design support, promotion, networking opportunities, and intensive mentoring. The bootcamp focuses on customer acquisition, investor relations, and programming/product development. Two participating companies are guaranteed access to optional funding of up to $150K. The ARK Challenge has a portfolio of 35 startups that have collectively raised an estimated $1,251,666.