Kansas Bankers Association, NXTUS Partnering to Give Kansas Community Banks Access to Innovative Technology Tools Offered by Global FinTech Startups
Photo from the 2024 Financial Technology Pilot Competition. Photo courtesy of Fernando Salazar.
Wichita, Kan. – September 8, 2025 – NXTUS, Inc., in partnership with the Kansas Bankers Association (KBA), has launched the 2025 NXTSTAGE Financial Technology Pilot Competition, designed for startups with innovative financial technology products. Applications are open now and will close on September 30.
For the sixth year of this unique program, NXTUS and KBA assembled a task force of five community banks: Bank of Commerce, First Heritage Bank, Legacy Bank, Silver Lake Bank, and United Bank & Trust. These forward-thinking institutions will work directly with participating startups, providing one-on-one market feedback, evaluating applications through virtual sessions, and helping identify real-world opportunities for collaboration. The top three finalists will be invited to attend KBA’s 2026 Tech Conference in February.
The program offers global FinTech startups a unique opportunity to showcase their solutions directly to Kansas financial institutions. By engaging with KBA and the task force, startups gain access to potential customers seeking breakthrough tools to improve operations and enhance services for both consumer and business clients.
“The Kansas Bankers Association is both proud and excited to continue our partnership with NXTUS in order to bring cutting-edge fintech solutions to the forefront of the banking industry in our state! We look forward to highlighting our top three prospects at our annual Technology Conference in February 2026,” said Doug Wareham, President and CEO of the KBA.
Applications close September 30 at https://www.f6s.com/nxtstage-financial-technology-2025/apply. Eligible competitors are financial technology startups offering solutions that help banks, credit unions, and financial services businesses strengthen their digital banking, data analytics, digital marketing, and related capabilities.
This is the third year KBA has supported the NXTSTAGE Financial Technology Pilot Competition, helping promote innovation for Kansas community banks.
In 2024, the competition drew 131 contenders from 19 states and 16 countries. Eight finalists pitched live in Kansas at an Innovation Showcase in October, resulting in four selections of competition winners by the Kansas Bankers Association and INTRUST Bank.