More than 80 companies from across the region vying to earn a slot in the latest NXTSTAGE Enterprise Engagement Series, said Amber Dunn, with two Kansas City startups among the 16 successfully completing the competitive process.

Unique program helping growth-minded entrepreneurs understand, connect with leading Kansas enterprises sees record interest from across the Heartland

Nine Finalists Competing to Pilot Innovations with 15 Kansas Organizations

Accelerate Venture Partners, a Wichita-based angel investor syndicate, is taking its first step into real estate with a $250,000 investment into an Indianapolis hotel alongside the Cochener Garvey Group and ATP Ventures.

With this deal, AVP’s members extend their ‘team sport’ angel investing beyond tech startups.

The journey doesn’t end with an end-of-cohort pitch showcase, NXTUS leaders said this week, debuting a new network for alumni of its portfolio of Wichita-based entrepreneur growth programs.

NXTUS launches program offering 200+ founders mentorship, tools for continued growth

Wichita entrepreneurs, clockwise from left, Logan Schraeder, Blake Christopherson, Jocelyn Powell and Rye Kennedy are developing emerging new technologies and software that recently received funding from the Kansas Department of Commerce.

First Friday e-call outlines support for entrepreneurs and early-stage investment

NXTUS opens applications for 2026 Community Health & Vibrancy Pilot Competition, connecting emerging health technologies with local partners across Kansas

With Kansas City’s knack for scoring big sports headlines, opportunity is on the court for the region to boost its brand as a hub for innovation, said Pam Kramer, emphasizing that the eyes of the world will be watching when the World Cup arrives this summer in the Midwest. 

Kansas came in clutch Tuesday — doubling the grand prize pool for this week’s Gamechangers and Champions pitch competition just before tipoff. Its jersey-clad winner scored $50,000 and a top seed among investors gathered for the state’s bracket bash for emerging entrepreneurs.

High-Energy Event Rewards Kansas Innovators, Connects Startups with Regional Investors

Good Day Kansas: Gamechangers & Champions 2026

Bracket bash races to halfcourt, cutting pitch competitors down to 16 Kansas startups

Startups Vying for $25,000, to be Awarded Tuesday at State-Wide ‘Bracket Bash for Angels and Innovators’

Drilling into the customer profile for his startup — an AI-powered, curated swag marketplace aimed at early stage tech companies — Ivan Hadzhiev used tailored resources from Wichita-based NXTUS to validate a complaint keeping prospective partners from buying in.

An innovation-led startup tournament taking Kansas by storm is just built different, said Conor Adler, announcing the nearly three-dozen contenders featured in this spring’s competition.

Kansas’ Leading Innovators Advance Toward $25,000 Prize from University of Kansas School of Business

Program accelerates market validation, customer acquisition, and revenue growth strategies for Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska startups