NXTUS

Meet the Round of 32! ?? These 32 Kansas startups have advanced to the second round of the?Gamechangers & Champions 2025?pitch competition! Selected from?74 total entries, they’re competing for?$20,000 in prize money, sponsored by the?Barton School of Business at Wichita State University! Congratulations to these innovators ?? ??Authentiya, Ellia Morse ? Novus Network, Inc., Ayaan Parikh ??Cap Creations, LLC, Rashawnda Wright ??Oak Therapeutics, Sally Maliski ??Candid Health Advisors, Molly Breitenbach ??PLOT Jobsite Procurement & Deliveries, Chris Callen ??Chatterbox, Grant Johnson ??Rebound Jerseys, Aidan Scurato ??Cyphr (Formerly Foresight), Jannae Gammage ??Seismi, Inc., Yale Zhang ??FinMan Fishing Innovations, Mark Glade ??Sharing Solace, Crystal Webster ??Flowpoint Medical, Jason Bobe ??ShotTracker Inc., LaDonna Gooden ??Sleep Fitter, Liliana Younger ??George Consulting and Engineering, Anthony George ??Interplay, Jonaie Johnson ??Marma, Meredith McAllister ??MD MatchUp, Bob Waddell ??moment*, Miguel Johns ??Nitride Global Incorporated, Mahyar Khosravi ??NoDwell, Inc. / Spot On, Blake Lappan ??Noonan, Matt Williams ??Storytailor Inc., JQ Sirls ??Tacit Technologies, Rye Kennedy, PE ??Teddy, Drake Dukes ??TokenTourney, Samuel Shortall ??Trident Homes, Christopher Stemler ??Ulom App, Bing Low ??VU Scholarships, Edward Márquez ??Wrax, Frankie Elder-Reedy ??Yes! Athletics, Deborah North Come see these startups pitch live at our Gamechangers and Champions event, where you'll also have the opportunity to partake in networking opportunities, industry leader speakers, educational sessions, and witness the high-stakes pitch competition! Register today: https://lnkd.in/g44_PZ2X ???Who will make it to the Sweet Sixteen??Stay tuned—we’ll announce the next round on?March 17! #PitchToWin #Entrepreneurs #Investors #Innovation #KansasStartups #GamechangersChampions2025 #MarchMadness

Join us for Gamechangers & Champions 2025: A Bracket Bash for Innovators & Angels, presented by NXTUS and the Kansas Department of Commerce!??? If you attended last year’s event, get ready to run it back for another high-energy event with MVP keynote speakers, live startup pitches, and networking—but this time, we’re raising the game with a full-day experience featuring valuable educational sessions, more industry-leading speakers, plenty of opportunities to connect, and a $20K prize pitch competition, thanks to the Barton School of Business! ??Startups—this is your FINAL BUZZER to apply for the pitch competition! Applications close tonight at midnight! Don’t miss your shot to win $20K, apply now! https://lnkd.in/g6DtXD_R ??If you’re an investor, startup, or innovator, get off the bench and grab your tickets today! https://lnkd.in/gXW43tzj

Don’t miss the chance to hear from?Graham Krizek, CEO of Voltage?in a Startup Grind Wichita Fireside Chat, kicking off the morning session of?our Gamechangers and Champions event?on?March 21st! ?? This?high-energy event?brings together?Kansas startups, investors, and innovators?for a full day of?networking, education, and a pitch competition—it’s an event you’ll want to be part of! RSVP for Startup Grind:?https://lnkd.in/gwfXY3VY Learn more & join us for the full day of events:?https://lnkd.in/gXW43tzj

Thank you to our supporters—the team behind Kansas startups—for making our Gamechangers & Champions 2025 event possible! Because of these partnering organizations, we’re fueling the future for Kansas startups! ?? ???Final buzzer alert!?Startup applications for the?Gamechangers & Champions?prize pitch competition?close this Friday, March 7th! This is your shot to pitch live to top investors and industry leaders for a chance to win?$20,000, thanks to the Barton School of Business!?Don't wait—apply now!?https://lnkd.in/g6DtXD_R Want to witness innovation in action??Register for the event today:?https://lnkd.in/gXW43tzj #PitchToWin #Entrepreneurs #Investors #Innovation #KansasStartups #GC25

Have questions about the Accessing Growth Capital Series? We’ve got answers!?? Check out these FAQs on topics ranging from what stage your business should be at to how many companies will be accepted into the cohort! Have another question? Feel free to drop it in the comments below or email [email protected]. Applications close on March 19, apply today! https://lnkd.in/g4XvcVSR Learn more about the program: https://lnkd.in/gSize-kh

What’s happening at Gamechangers & Champions 2025? ?? This event brings together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders for a dynamic mix of education, competition, and networking. What to expect: ?? ?Opening Networking Session?– Connect with Startup Grind Wichita and Wichita Independent Business Association, sponsored by IMA Financial Group, Inc. ???Startup Grind Fireside Chat?– Learn from Graham Krizek, CEO of Voltage, presented by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. ???Expert-led Breakout Tracks?– Focused educational sessions for both startups and investors, supported by the Greater Wichita Partnership. ???Business & Basketball Lounge?– Thanks to Network Kansas' eGrowth Ventures, enjoy networking sessions & complimentary headshots. ???Keynote Speaker: Kevin Lockett?– Venture investor and former K-State and Kansas City Chiefs player. ???Startup Pitch Competition?– Watch innovative Kansas startups pitch live for a chance to win?$20K, sponsored by the Barton School of Business. Kansas Startups, there is only one week left to apply for the prize pitch competition! Submit your application: https://lnkd.in/g6DtXD_R? ? Investors, startups, and innovators, come join in on the fun! Register for the event here: https://lnkd.in/gXW43tzj This event is presented by NXTUS and the Kansas Department of Commerce. ? #Entrepreneurs #Investors #Innovation #KansasStartups #GC25 #MarchMadness

Is your pitch worth $20K? Kansas startups, this is?your shot! ?? Apply now for the?Gamechangers & Champions 2025?pitch competition for a chance to win?$20,000 in prize money, sponsored by the Barton School of Business! As part of a?full day of speakers and programming, this high-stakes pitch competition is just one highlight of this high-energy event designed to?activate, educate, and connect?Kansas’s?Gamechangers—entrepreneurs driving innovation—and?Champions—the angel investors fueling their success. ?? Kansas startups, apply now to pitch! By entering the pitch competition, you will receive free admission into the Gamechangers Startup Track, courtesy of Cargill. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/g6DtXD_R ?? Investors, be part of the action—connect with top founders and get a front-row seat to the next wave of innovation! Get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gXW43tzj #Entrepreneurs #Investors #Innovation #KansasStartups #GamechangersChampions2025 #MarchMadness #GC25

(3/3) We’re excited to announce the 2025 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort! ?? Over the next several weeks, these innovative companies will receive customized support for product-market fit, customer acquisitions and scalable solutions for future growth. "Network Kansas has sponsored this program in partnership with NXTUS since 2022, and we have found the workshop curriculum and one-on-one coaching to be incredibly impactful for entrepreneurs across Kansas—both urban and rural,” said Amara Kniep, Director at Network Kansas. “We are excited to continue playing a part in NXTUS' commitment to innovation and inclusion. Programs like CTC go a long way in fostering a brighter future for entrepreneurs in our state." Join us in celebrating this incredible group! ?? Seedfolk Partners, Sundown AgriSupply, Top Gun Concrete Lifting, Van-Go! Transport Services, and Winding Creek Soap and Supply.

(2/3) We are thrilled to announce our 2025 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort! ?? Now in its fourth year, the program has graduated 50 startups and continues its momentum by fostering customized learning spaces that help early-stage Kansas companies overcome barriers, generate revenue, and identify scalable offerings. Throughout the program, the participants will receive in-depth, personalized, 1:1 coaching provided by a national coaching partner, focusing on product-market fit and customer acquisition strategies. Join us in welcoming the 2025 cohort! ?? MD MatchUp, Midland Railroad Hotel & Restaurant, NPWR Training, Phy-cy.X Security Group, POURPIS, Reliant Merchant Services, Inc., and Scholarnetics360.

(1/3) We are so excited to welcome our 2025 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort! ?? Over the next several weeks, they’ll receive customized support for product-market fit, customer acquisitions and scalable solutions for future growth. This year’s cohort showcases the breadth of entrepreneurial innovators in our state. From tech-driven solutions in talent recruitment, healthcare, finance, and logistics, to scalable spins on upskilling in workforce experiences like team building, DJing, and sustainable retail, these companies represent the spirit of innovation in Kansas. Join us in congratulating this great group! ?? Biomedica Search, Breese Organizational Wellness, Connection & Synergy, Exemplify , Good Works Talent, Jardin, LRG Commercial Contracting. #Entrepreneurs #Entrepreneurship #WichitaWins #BusinessGrowth #b2b #b2c #Kansas #Community #Partnerships