Kelvin Bell Wins UA Little Rock AI Competition
The founder of Stratos Digital secures top prize at the university's second annual artificial intelligence pitch event.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Kelvin Bell, founder of Stratos Digital, won the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's second annual artificial intelligence pitch competition. The event, sponsored by Amazon Web Services, awarded prizes in the form of technical development services to three top entrepreneurs.
Why it matters
The competition highlights local efforts to integrate AI into industries like restaurant management and legal supervision. By addressing specific operational and social challenges, these startups aim to provide scalable technical solutions for the regional economy.
The winning platform, Victor AI, processes restaurant phone orders and performs one up-sell per call to address low profit margins. The On Paper application helps users manage legal supervision conditions by uploading documents to receive automated reminders.
The players
Kelvin Bell
He is the founder of Stratos Digital and the first-place winner of the university pitch event.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
It is a public research university that recently introduced an academic degree program focused on artificial intelligence.
Amazon Web Services
It is a comprehensive cloud computing platform that served as the sponsor for this university competition.
The details
Ashley Franke took second place, and James Hensley earned third place for their respective contributions. Two restaurants in Arkansas are already utilizing the Victor AI service to streamline their operations.
Timeline
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock held its artificial intelligence pitch competition in October 2026.
The university launched its bachelor degree in artificial intelligence in the fall of 2026.
The Tech Race
This event demonstrates how regional academic institutions are becoming hubs for local AI innovation, shifting focus from theoretical study to practical commercial application. It mirrors a broader national trend where universities act as incubators for specialized industry-specific software.
Local restaurant customers may experience more consistent phone service and order accuracy as businesses adopt automated AI systems. For those under supervision, tools like On Paper could simplify compliance and reduce the risk of technical violations.
The takeaway
Innovation competitions serve as a vital bridge between academic research and real-world business challenges. Residents and business owners can look for these tools to lower operating costs and automate complex daily management tasks.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in local innovation, visit the Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ArkansasOnline.
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