Arkansas
University of Arkansas Team Wins Bangkok Business Challenge
A startup focused on creating bio-based chemicals and fuels has become the first University of Arkansas team to win the prestigious Bangkok Business Challenge, earning nearly $20,000 at Asia’s longest-running global student startup competition.
ProPika, co-founded by Nhiem Cao and Angel Treat, specializes in converting billions of tons of unused agricultural waste into eco-friendly fuels and chemicals. The company’s innovation lies in its method of processing cellulose, a complex natural polymer found in all plants.
ProPika won the competition’s grand prize, H.M. The King of Thailand’s Award, securing $18,000 for their venture, with $2,000 allocated to the University of Arkansas. The event, hosted by the Sasin School of Management, took place June 20-22.
The team also earned $300 each for Best Business Plan, Best Presentation, and reaching the semifinal round. Additionally, ProPika received $500 as a Sustainability Award finalist.
Cao stated that the winnings will aid in further validating the technology and provide ProPika with a “little longer non-dilutive runway.”
“We plan on continuing the research and push it as far as we can,” Cao said. “There are some technical challenges we need to overcome. If we can break through those, this is definitely a homerun opportunity.”
Cao and Treat formed ProPika after enrolling in the entrepreneurship track of the Master of Science in Product Innovation (MSPI) program. This program, overseen by the U of A’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OEI), develops the skills to create, launch and manage products within a startup or innovative industry environment.
David Hinton, executive director of U of A Technology Ventures, said ProPika utilized technology licensed from Technology Ventures, a process that helps bring U of A research to market. The team was embedded in the New Venture Development course sequence of the MSPI, led by Hinton and Sarah Goforth, former executive director of OEI.
Launched in 2002, the Bangkok Business Challenge has distributed more than $220 million in funding to startups. The competition aims to encourage scalable new ventures, provide an international business-matching platform, and create commercial value from research and development efforts.
This year’s event featured more than 200 applicants from 62 institutions across 19 countries, narrowed down to 20 teams competing in Bangkok for a $46,000 prize pool. ProPika was the sole U.S. representative, with other teams from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan and Vietnam.
“This was a truly international competition,” Cao said. “We wanted to represent the university and the state well. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a winning tradition for the University of Arkansas at the Bangkok Business Challenge.”
Treat emphasized that the victory demonstrated U of A’s capability to compete and excel on an international stage.
“We’re proud to bring this achievement home and hope it inspires future U of A teams to aim high and pursue their own groundbreaking ideas as well,” Treat said.
READ ALSO: ARNOLD INNOVATION CENTER CELEBRATES 2ND ANNIVERSARY
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — A bee swarm attack in Texas sent three people, including a firefighter, to the hospital this week, while Arkansas medical experts said most bee stings are not dangerous but can become life-threatening in certain cases.
Authorities in San Antonio said the three victims were hospitalized after being swarmed and stung by aggressive bees. Officials have not released details on what triggered the attack or the species involved.
Doctors in Arkansas said the biggest risk from a bee sting is not the sting itself, but a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
“The concern when you have a bee sting is if you develop a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis,” said Dr. Garrett Lewis, chief medical officer at St. Vincent Infirmary.
Lewis said warning signs include throat swelling, difficulty breathing and feeling faint, which require immediate medical attention.
“If you’re experiencing any throat swelling or severe shortness of breath, you need to seek medical care immediately,” Lewis said.
He added that people who are stung multiple times may also be at risk even without a known allergy, because each sting introduces additional venom into the body.
In the event of a swarm, Lewis said the priority should be escaping the area as quickly as possible and removing any stingers once safe.
“Seek water, seek indoor,” Lewis said. “Once you’re away from the swarm, you want to make sure that you are removing any stingers that might still be in your skin.”
Lewis also said symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and widespread hives can indicate a serious reaction.
While the Texas incident resulted in hospitalizations, a recent swarm outside a Little Rock business ended without injuries after bees briefly gathered on a tree limb before being safely removed by a beekeeper.
Lewis said the best prevention is awareness of surroundings and understanding when medical care is needed after a sting.
CORNING, Ark. (KATV) — Regulatory Enforcement Agents with the Department of Finance and Administration, along with local police, seized a significant amount of illegal THC products from Pacific Green in Corning on Tuesday.
According to the DFA, more than a dozen agents joined the City of Corning Police in the day-long operation that resulted in two arrests.
DFA agents seized more than 25 pounds of illegal products consisting of flower, vapes, and edibles.
Owner Ben Bennett and employee Sharia Shipman were arrested and both charged with the following:
- Delivery of a Schedule VI controlled substance (Class D Felony)
- Possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver (Class B Felony)
- Controlled substances – Offenses relating to records, maintaining premises (Class C Felony)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class D Felony)
- Unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate certain crimes (Class C Felony)
Bennett’s bond was set at $150,000, while Shipman’s bond was set at $100,000.
“In addition to selling illegal products, investigators confirmed violations involving underage access at this location,” said David Potter, Director of the Regulatory Enforcement Division. “This retailer, which was located within 1,000 feet of a school, presented significant public health and safety concerns. We are proud to partner with the Corning Police Department in addressing these violations. We seized a substantial quantity of illegal products, including flower, vapes, edibles, and other items, during the operation. We appreciate the cooperation of local law enforcement and information received from the community that led to yesterday’s operation and stopped this blatant disregard of the law.”
Note: All suspects accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
The Department of Finance and Administration said Arkansans can use Apple Wallet to present their license or ID in person, online and in apps at select organizations, including at more than 250 Transportation Security
-
Alabama4 minutes agoAlabama Baseball Host St Johns For A Trip To The World Series
-
Alaska7 minutes agoFirst Alaska mule deer harvest follows years of fleeting appearances in the state
-
Arizona12 minutes agoArizona’s dry heat may be deadlier than we thought
-
Arkansas19 minutes agoTexas bee swarm hospitalizes 3; Arkansas doctors explain warning signs of severe reactions
-
California21 minutes agoCalifornia man charged with bringing explosives to Sacramento airport after repeatedly calling FBI tip line | CNN
-
Colorado27 minutes agoFarming in Colorado’s vast Uncompahgre Valley
-
Connecticut33 minutes agoSeveral injured in I-91 crash involving multiple vehicles in Hartford: Officials
-
Delaware37 minutes agoDelaware Lottery Powerball, Play 3 Day winning numbers for June 3, 2026
