Arkansas

University of Arkansas Team Wins Bangkok Business Challenge

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2024

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

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Arkansas

Arkansas needs balanced strategy to address educator concerns about AI

Published

6 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas needs balanced strategy to address educator concerns about AI

COMMENTARY: While AI can offer transformative support for students who need it, it also risks eroding the foundational skills we are trying to help them acquire. Arkansas needs a balanced strategy that prioritizes accessibility without sacrificing rigor.

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Arkansas

Congressional subcommittee to hold hearing in Little Rock on ‘failures’ of local housing authority | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

18 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Congressional subcommittee to hold hearing in Little Rock on ‘failures’ of local housing authority | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Joseph Flaherty

jflaherty@adgnewsroom.com

Joseph Flaherty covers the city of Little Rock for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. A graduate of Middlebury College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, he has worked for the newspaper since 2020.

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11 people arrested in connection with various charges in Northwest Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

11 people arrested in connection with various charges in Northwest Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Arrests

Benton County Sheriff’s Office

Scott Minor, 45, of Elm Street in Jefferson City, Mo., was arrested Friday on suspicion of computer child pornography and sexually grooming a child. Minor was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with a $150,000 bond set.

Bentonville

Damond Drake, 52, of West Highland Drive in Rogers was arrested Saturday on suspicion of delivery of methamphetamine or cocaine. Drake was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.

Fayetteville

Cornelius Anderson, 33, of Dawn Street in Fayetteville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of third-degree assault on a family member, third-degree domestic battery, first-degree criminal mischief and theft of property. Anderson remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $5,000 bond.

Eduard Korshakov, 37, of Prairie Dunes Trail in Fayetteville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of aggravated assault on a family or household member, kidnapping, first-degree false imprisonment, third-degree domestic battery and interference with emergency communications. Korshakov remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Efrain Quiroz, 29, of North Shamblin Avenue in Fayetteville was arrested Sunday on suspicion of second-degree battery and second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. Quiroz remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Leo Ward, 21, of West Tanner Drive in Fayetteville was arrested Sunday on suspicion of aggravated residential burglary and stalking. Ward was released from the Washington County Detention Center Monday on $25,000 bond.

Rogers

John Jenkins, 21, of Arkansas 351 in Jonesboro was arrested Saturday on suspicion of fraudulent use of credit/debit card. Jenkins was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.

Springdale

Ashlyn Neal, 19, of Powell Street in Springdale was arrested Saturday on suspicion of kidnapping, second-degree battery, endangering the welfare of a minor, resisting arrest and obstruction of government operations. Neal was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

Jose Neal, 37, of South Powell Street in Springdale was arrested Saturday on suspicion of second-degree domestic battery, third-degree domestic battery, interference with emergency communications and resisting arrest. Neal was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

Skyler Shane, 31, of Highway 62 in Westville, Ok., was arrested Sunday on suspicion of Possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance with intent to deliver, simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, carrying a prohibited weapon and disorderly conduct. Shane was released from the Washington County Detention Center Sunday on $3,500 bond.

University of Arkansas Police Department

Celso Adame-Gallegos, 19 of Jade Street in Springdale was arrested Friday on suspicion of possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to deliver. Adame-Gallegos was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

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