NXTUS

Gamechangers & Champions 2025 is just 3 days away! ?? Kevin Lockett, former NFL player turned venture investor and Partner at Fulcrum Global Capital, invites you to join him at this year’s event, where he will deliver an inspiring keynote during the grand finale session, which will also feature a high-stakes $20,000 Pitch Competition, sponsored by the Barton School of Business. This one-day, innovation-packed event on March 21 at the Commerce Club offers you the opportunity to participate in networking opportunities, hear from industry leaders, attend educational sessions, and witness the exciting pitch competition! ?? Only a few tickets left, get yours today! https://lnkd.in/g44_PZ2X

The just-released list of competitors — narrowed from an initial roster of 32 — packs the benches for Friday’s big pitch showdown in Wichita — set against the backdrop of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament later this week in the Sunflower State’s largest city. Among the 16 startups leaders advancing in the pitch competition — organized by the Kansas Department of Commerce and NXTUS — notably are past Pure Pitch Rally competitors, Digital Sandbox KC winners from Technology Venture Studio, Startland News’ Startups to Watch companies, Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship members, and veterans of NXTUS programming.

Congratulations to the 16 Kansas Startups advancing to the next round of the?Gamechangers & Champions 2025?pitch competition! ?? The competition began with 74 state-wide contenders and narrowed to a second-round pool of 32 last week. These remaining innovators, who offer innovative technologies and solutions in industries ranging from health, sports, and fitness tech to industrial, community, and e-commerce tools, are still in the game competing for cash prizes and the opportunity to catch the eye of potential investors. Congratulations to these startups ?? ??FinMan Fishing Innovations, Mark Glade ??Marma, Victoria Weber ??MD MatchUp, Bob Waddell ? Milton,?Miguel Johns ??Nitride Global Incorporated, Mahyar Khosravi, P.Eng. ??Noonan,?Matt Williams ??PLOT Jobsite Procurement & Deliveries, Chris Callen ??ShotTracker Inc., LaDonna Gooden ??Sleep Fitter, Liliana Younger ??Storytailor Inc., Jaqwan Sirls ??Tacit Technologies,?Rye Kennedy, PE ??Teddy,?Drake Dukes ??Ulom App, Zik Nwanganga ??VU Scholarships, Andrew M. ??Wrax,?Frankie Elder-Reedy ??Yes! Athletics, Deb North Come see these Kansas startups pitch live at our Gamechangers and Champions event, where you'll also have the chance to partake in networking opportunities, industry leader speakers, educational sessions, and witness the high-stakes pitch competition! Only a few tickets left, register today! https://lnkd.in/g44_PZ2X ???Who will make it to the Innovative Eight? Join us in person on March 21st at the Commerce Club to see who advanced to the next round!

“We value the support and education AGCS offers to entrepreneurs going through the capital-raising journey. The speed-dating sessions with investors provided critical insights and connections that will be instrumental to our growth.” said Hessam Vali, PhD, MBA, CSSBB, Founder of Optegrity Solutions, LLC. Entrepreneurs, like Hessam Vali, were able to gain valuable insights and education on the raising capital journey and build connections with regional investors through this program. Don’t miss out on this free opportunity to work with top investors and scale your business! Apply today to join our FREE 8-week program for Kansas entrepreneurs. https://lnkd.in/g4XvcVSR Learn more about the program! https://lnkd.in/gSize-kh

Congrats to the 32 Kansas startups advancing to the next round! ?? Want a front-row seat to the action? Join us for Gamechangers and Champions 2025 where you'll not only witness the high-stakes $20K pitch competition, but you’ll also gain access to exclusive networking, educational sessions, and industry-led speakers. ?? Get your tickets now! https://lnkd.in/g44_PZ2X “Most Kansans have no idea the breadth and quality of entrepreneurs who are building tomorrow’s great businesses right here in Kansas,” said Mary Beth Jarvis, president and CEO of NXTUS. “Thanks to support from the Kansas Department of Commerce, WSU’s Barton School of Business, and dozens of other sponsors, Gamechangers & Champions 2025 will help change that.” Learn about the 32 Kansas Startups and check out the full details in Startland News' story! https://lnkd.in/grFxHeAd

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