When Conor Adler moved to Wichita, he didn’t come chasing a trend. He came chasing a bet.

Eight early-stage Kansas entrepreneurs sat across from Midwest-based investors this week at Aspiria NOW in Overland Park, engaging in rapid-fire, “speed dating” style meetings aimed at moving their ventures closer to real investment.

Applications are open for NXTUS' 2025 Community Health and Vibrancy Pilot Competition as it enters its fifth year.

Connecting Global Startups with Kansas Organizations to Drive Health Innovation and Community Growth

Seven Wichita-based startups graduated from NXTUS' fourth NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort on Tuesday at Evergy Connect, which included a total of 19 participants from Kansas.

NXTUS & Ecosystem Partners Honor 4^th Graduating Cohort with Celebration Luncheon 

Good Day Kansas: Discover Your Passion – Gamechangers & Champions 2025

The team at VU Scholarships left it all on the stage Friday, walking away as champions in the Gamechangers & Champions bracket bash — a high-intensity pitch competition running parallel to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in Wichita.

High-Energy Event Showcases Kansas’ Top Startups, Awards Prize Winners, and Connects Founders and Investors

Monday’s pitch competition announcement served up sweet news for more than a dozen Kansas startups as local founders learned they’re advancing in the Gamechangers & Champions “Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels” — a tournament-style event set to end with a $20,000 grand prize.

Kansas Innovators Edge Closer to $20,000 Prize from WSU’s Barton School of Business

Entrepreneurs will battle each other with pitch ideas Friday between game days of the NCAA Tournament in Wichita.

Nearly three dozen Sunflower State startups are vying for $20,000 in prize money — and courting the attention of investors — as they advance to the second round of an innovative, state-backed pitch competition set amid the excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Leading Innovators Advance Toward $20,000 Prize from the Barton School of Business, Chance to Gain Investors

Unique Accelerator Helps Entrepreneurs Identify Scalable Solutions, Grow Revenue

A new, high-energy pitch competition is expected to help startup founders collide with angel investors and innovation leaders from across Kansas — all set against the excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this spring.

NXTUS, Kansas Department of Commerce bringing state-wide startups together with investors, innovation resources, in Wichita between first rounds of NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

"I thought, You are going to have to give up a lot of what your friends are doing if you want to do this."  -Conor Adler on his commitment.

Conor Adler had his final interview with NXTUS CEO Mary Beth Jarvis during her layover in Chicago at a coffee shop near O'Hare airport. A few weeks later, Adler left the suburbs of Chicago to help build the Wichita — and Kansas — startup and innovation scene at NXTUS, a hard career pivot from his early days after college.