About The Arcade District
What is the Arcade District?
The Arcade District was established in 2022 by visionary Bobby Campbell. The Arcade District is a thriving innovation hub in Columbia, Missouri, right in the heart of the Midwest.
Dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation, we actively support emerging businesses by securing financial capital and providing guidance on marketing strategies. Our environment is crafted to nurture creativity. Situated in a walkable area, our locale boasts a retro-style arcade, distillery, vinyl record store, and two restaurants. This carefully curated mix creates an inspiring backdrop, ideal for entrepreneurial endeavors. Additionally, the Arcade District annually hosts musical events in our Sentinel Park venue, further enriching the creative atmosphere. At the Arcade District, we believe in not only providing resources but also fostering an atmosphere where creativity flourishes, setting the stage for the next wave of innovative ventures.
What is an Innovation District?
An innovation district is a strategically located area that serves as a crossroad for innovation, creativity, and collaboration among businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. We provide a supportive environment for the development of new ideas, technologies, and ventures. Our purpose is to drive economic growth and transformation by bringing together diverse business and institutions.
Bobby Campbell: The Visionary Behind the Arcade District
Bobby Campbell, a trailblazing entrepreneur born in Albany, Missouri, found his way to Columbia, Missouri, where he pursued higher education at the University of Missouri. Armed with degrees in Political Science and Creative Writing, Bobby embarked on a journey that would see him redefine the digital advertising landscape.
In 2003, he co-founded Division-D, a company dedicated to helping national advertisers navigate the burgeoning world of digital marketing. Under Bobby’s leadership, Division-D skyrocketed to success, earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list eight times and expanding its footprint to eight offices across the United States.
In 2012, Bobby launched AdKarma, a company specializing in short-form content production and video advertising management. AdKarma quickly made waves, earning the #31 spot on the Inc. 500 list in 2014 and 2015 before being acquired by blinkx in a strategic acquisition.
An innovative thinker and prolific writer, Bobby has contributed his insights to Forbes, Entrepreneur.com, Business Insider, and VentureBeat. He also ventured into film production, founding Tasty Productions and later Good Wizard Productions, where he produced 17 films, including the acclaimed “Blood to Dust,” starring Kit Harington.
Bobby's entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive him forward. Recently, he re-entered the digital advertising arena with VoterX, a cutting-edge platform focused on political and advocacy advertising. His passion for innovation extends beyond his own ventures; he actively invests in venture funds supporting Columbia's startup ecosystem and is the creative force behind the Arcade District, a dynamic, tech-oriented innovation hub that is transforming the local landscape.