A New Era for STEM Talent: University Planned for Bentonville to Meet Growing Regional Demand!
See us at Paris Air Show 2025 : AB193
A New Era for STEM Talent: University Planned for Bentonville to Meet Growing Regional Demand!
Plans were announced for a new STEM-focused university in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA. The institution is designed to meet the demands of today’s economy and help develop the next generation of technical and entrepreneurial leaders.
Products & Services
CTP@XNA - New Commerce & Technology Park - Focusing on Aerospace & Defense Opportunities
Northwest Arkansas Council
Northwest Arkansas is the fastest growing region of the state, home of tier one research university and the soon to be developed Commerce & Technology Park (CTP@XNA) immediately adjacent to Arkansas National Airport (XNA), which will have access through the fence and the 8,800 feet runway. CTP@XNA will be a foreign trade zone, and in time have air cargo facilities, rail and intermodal service.
Hephaestus’ Forge: Explore. Fail. Adapt. Win.
Northwest Arkansas Council
Hephaestus’ Forge® is the regional defense innovation ecosystem of Northwest Arkansas—where warfighting technologies are forged, tested, and tempered through real-world proving grounds.
Operated by the Northwest Arkansas Council and key partners, the Forge offers companies a secure, purpose-built environment to explore, fail, adapt, and ultimately win—before stepping in front of defense buyers.
At its foundation are four uniquely specialized proving grounds:
Fort Chaffee: A fully operational DoD-controlled site ideal for kinetic testing and large-scale live-fire evaluations.
Devil’s Den EMS Proving Ground (Q4 2025): Focused on electromagnetic warfare and AI-enabled spectrum operations.
ARES Proving Ground (Q1 2026): A next-gen human-machine teaming testbed for autonomous systems and warfighter integration.
Supply-Chain & Logistics Tech Proving Ground (Conceptual – Target 2027): Designed to evaluate autonomous logistics, resilient networks, and smart systems.
Hephaestus’ Forge® exists to support technology companies at all stages—by offering space to test, permission to fail, and trusted guidance to prepare for fielding, procurement, and mission use.
Operated by the Northwest Arkansas Council and key partners, the Forge offers companies a secure, purpose-built environment to explore, fail, adapt, and ultimately win—before stepping in front of defense buyers.
At its foundation are four uniquely specialized proving grounds:
Fort Chaffee: A fully operational DoD-controlled site ideal for kinetic testing and large-scale live-fire evaluations.
Devil’s Den EMS Proving Ground (Q4 2025): Focused on electromagnetic warfare and AI-enabled spectrum operations.
ARES Proving Ground (Q1 2026): A next-gen human-machine teaming testbed for autonomous systems and warfighter integration.
Supply-Chain & Logistics Tech Proving Ground (Conceptual – Target 2027): Designed to evaluate autonomous logistics, resilient networks, and smart systems.
Hephaestus’ Forge® exists to support technology companies at all stages—by offering space to test, permission to fail, and trusted guidance to prepare for fielding, procurement, and mission use.
Description
The institution is expected to focus on applied STEM and business education, with a curriculum shaped by input from leading voices across industry, technology and academia.
From supply chain analytics to health tech and artificial intelligence, employers are seeking talent that can keep up with an increasingly digital, fast-moving economy. This university aims to be part of the solution. It will offer hands-on learning, access to emerging tools like AI and real-world experience through internships and employer partnerships. That kind of education model—rooted in flexibility, quality and industry connection.
From supply chain analytics to health tech and artificial intelligence, employers are seeking talent that can keep up with an increasingly digital, fast-moving economy. This university aims to be part of the solution. It will offer hands-on learning, access to emerging tools like AI and real-world experience through internships and employer partnerships. That kind of education model—rooted in flexibility, quality and industry connection.
