University of Arkansas Program Helps Incubate Bike Rental Startup

August 5, 2022

Business

University of Arkansas Program Helps Incubate Bike Rental Startup

NWA Daily

Last year, a couple's roadtrip around the country resulted in not only new folks moving to the area, but a whole new business and more options for bike rentals with it.

  • On the map: In 2021, Morgan and Taylor Baumgardner were on an RV trip and heard about NWA's trail system. They decided to swing through and check it out, and loved it so much they "didn't want to leave".
  • Solving a problem: After experiencing issues getting rental bikes in the area, the Baumgardners decided to address the problem themselves, and Encore Bike Rentals was born. In January before they had a single bike rental, they joined U of A's GORP program initial cohort, receiving training and $15,000 in non-dilutive seed funding.

Now, Encore is providing bikes for rent across three cities in NWA via a concierge service. Read the story HERE and check out Encore's fleet HERE.

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