The ARK Challenge | 141 followers on LinkedIn. The ARK is a full member of the Global Accelerator Network (GAN). GAN was formerly known as the TechStars Network, is a partner of the Startup America initiative and consists of independently owned and operated organizations that utilize a mentorship-based startup accelerator model. The ARK will select 15 young startup companies, comprised of 2-5 people each, from applicants originating from across the nation to participate in a Northwest Arkansas-based entrepreneurial bootcamp challenge over the course of 14 weeks starting in August 2012.