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University of Arkansas Team Wins Bangkok Business Challenge

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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.

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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.

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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

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Law enforcement searching for missing Arkansas man in Franklin County

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Law enforcement searching for missing Arkansas man in Franklin County


FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – Law enforcement officials are searching for a missing Arkansas man on the east side of Franklin County, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

Daniel Harold Wenger, 26, was with his friends in Bay County, and they reported him missing on Sunday to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. He was added to the missing persons database on Monday, according to FCSO.

Wenger’s truck was found abandoned on Tuesday in Franklin County at Leonard’s Landing, and authorities also located his discarded jacket.

Law enforcement is searching the wooded areas near his car across from Leonard’s Landing and Bay North.

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Those with information about Wnger’s whereabouts are encouraged to call FCSO at 850-670-8500.

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Arkansas football gets commitment of Tulane transfer Jahiem “Joker” Johnson | Whole Hog Sports

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Arkansas football gets commitment of Tulane transfer Jahiem “Joker” Johnson | Whole Hog Sports





Arkansas football gets commitment of Tulane transfer Jahiem “Joker” Johnson | Whole Hog Sports







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Arkansas football: More Razorbacks, including Starzyk, hit transfer portal | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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Arkansas football: More Razorbacks, including Starzyk, hit transfer portal | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


FAYETTEVILLE — The signing of two kickers out of the NCAA transfer portal by the University of Arkansas on Sunday came into clearer focus late that night when highly touted freshman Scott Starzyk announced via social media he was entering the portal.

Starzyk was joined on Monday by defensive tackle Kevin Oatis as the considerable exodus continued for first-year Coach Ryan Silverfield.

The Razorbacks have as many as 30 scholarship players in the portal, and a small handful have already announced their destinations.

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The portal period opened on Friday and it will stay open through Jan. 16. The most recent announcements came from receivers Kam Shanks and Krosse Johnson and defensive back Quentavius Scandrett on Saturday, then long snapper Ashton Ngo, defensive back Ahkhari Johnson and Starzyk on Sunday.

“I’m officially in the NCAA transfer portal,” Starzyk posted to X late Sunday. “Thank you to all the fans at Arkansas for a great year. And thank you to the staff who have supported me during my time at the university.”

Arkansas landed Tennessee transfer Max Gilbert out of the portal on Sunday as well as Braeden McAlister, a kickoff specialist, from Georgia State.

Gilbert, a rising junior from Memphis, made 14 of 19 field goals (73.7%) this season, with a long of 53 yards. He has made 34 of 45 (75.6%) through two years as a starter.

Starzyk, the No. 1 kicker of the 2025 class by Kohl’s Kicking, had a strong freshman season while leading Arkansas with 89 points. The 5-10, 172-pounder from The Woodlands, Texas, made 14 of 18 field goals (77.8%) and converted all 47 of his extra-point tries. He was 2 of 3 from 50-plus yards, including a make from 53 yards on his first career field goal in the opener against Alabama A&M.

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With senior punter Devin Bale out of eligibility, the Razorbacks will lose a large chunk of their key special teams performers. Bale and Blake Ford, who is also in the portal, shared kickoff duties. Starzyk did all the place kicking and Ngo all the snapping, while Shanks was the Hogs’ top punt returner and running back Rodney Hill the lead kickoff returner.

Razorback transfers with known commitments are offensive line starter E’Marion Harris, a former standout at Joe T. Robinson who is expected to sign with Oklahoma, defensive end Justus Boone (Wisconsin), defensive tackle Ian Geffrard (Texas) and linebacker Tavion Wallace (Kentucky).



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