Six Days Out from Gamechangers & Champions 2026, Pitch Competition Announces Round of 16

Wichita, Kan. – March 4, 2026 – NXTUS, Inc., the Kansas Department of Commerce, and KU Innovation Park revealed the 16 Kansas startups advancing in the Gamechangers & Champions 2026 pitch competition.

The competition began with 75 state-wide contenders and narrowed to a second-round pool of 32 last week. These 16 remaining innovators, who offer technologies and solutions in HealthTech, BioTech, Enterprise SaaS, ConsumerTech, HRTech, IndustrialTech, GamingTech, and FinTech are competing for the $25,000 grand prize, sponsored by the University of Kansas School of Business; a $2,500 Fans’ Choice Award, sponsored by Wichita State University’s Barton School of Business; as well as the attention of region-wide supporters and investors.

These are the Kansas startups selected for the Breakout 16:

• AcuSera, Zaydan Ahmed

• Enrichly Fun, Inc., Romy Carlson

• Huxedo, Tanuj Gupta

• Icorium, Kalin Baca

• LAN Party, Ryan Hesse

• MedCurate, Ashley McClellan

• Myndset, Craig Mason

• Overwatch Technologies, Todd Gentry

• Planetary Talent, Jacob Schlittenhardt

• PLOT, Chris Callen

• Scoutz, Antonio Depina

• SippTech, Tommy McAndrew

• VisiPay LLC, Barry Nelson

• VOISS, Paul Epp

• Whimsi Beans LLC, Meg Dieter

• WRAX, Frankie Elder-Reedy

Representatives from these organizations participated in judging the Round of 32, choosing the Breakout 16:

• Douglas County CORE

• Promethean Ventures

• BioNexus KC 

• Core Bank

• Groover Labs 

• Wichita State University

• University of Kansas 

• Hinkle Law

• Kansas Based Angel Investors

Set for Tuesday, March 10, at the Conference Center at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Gamechangers and Champions 2026 is designed to bring together Kansas startups with angel investors and regional venture-capital fund managers, all set amid the excitement of the Men’s Big 12 Basketball Tournament.

“This unique event brings industry and investors face to face with leading startups from around the state,” said Mary Beth Jarvis,president and CEO of NXTUS. “The high-stakes pitch competition helps showcase some ‘cooler than you thought we had here’ startups, but the day is bigger than that. It’s a chance for Kansas to celebrate its progress as an innovation hub and allow the hype to catch up to the fact that incredible companies are being built here every day.”

At the start of the event, the Innovative Eight will be revealed, and those startups will share their ‘elevator pitches’ with more than 200 audience members, including investors, other entrepreneurs, and business leaders. Attendees will vote for their favorite pitch to determine the Fan’s Choice award, worth $2,500.

Then, capital providers will evaluate the eight remaining competitors and narrow the field to four. These four will deliver their five-minute pitches to a panel of distinguished judges, who will crown the $25,000 champion.

In addition to the pitch competition, Gamechangers & Champions will feature a variety of engaging activities:

• Morning and afternoon curated networking sessions.

• Innovation Ecosystem Kickoff – Statewide innovation insights from Lt. Governor, David Toland, plus corporate-startup collaboration perspectives from Kristen Rodgers of Plug and Play.

• Expert Tracks – Focused educational sessions tailored for both startups and investors, featuring leaders from across North America. Investor track speakers include Mickayla Rosard of Groove Capital (Minnesota), while the startup track features Robi Guha of TLM (Canada), alongside regional ecosystem operators and capital providers.

• Sports Tech Halftime Spotlight – A behind-the-scenes look at the region’s sports-tech momentum, moderated by Jillian Letrinko, broadcast anchor and KC Current announcer, featuring leaders shaping major events and elite sports organizations, including KU, Kansas City FIFA World Cup, and the Kansas City Chiefs.

• Keynote Speaker – Remarks from Neal Sharma of DEG and KC FIFA World Cup 26 Vice President.

The full, detailed event schedule can be found here.

Registration to attend the event will be capped at 300, with tickets going quickly. Investors, entrepreneurs, innovation leaders, and community members are encouraged to register today. Tickets are available here.

This event is made possible by the generous support of the presenting sponsors, NXTUS, the Kansas Department of Commerce, KU Innovation Park, the prize money sponsor, University of Kansas School of Business, Fan’s Choice sponsor, Barton School of Business at Wichita State University, and our host sponsor, the Conference Center at David Booth Memorial Stadium, along with support from our premier sponsors Network Kansas’ Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures, Hutton, Capitol Federal, IdeaTek, Cargill, AltCap, KU Alumni Association, Kansas State University, Hinkle Law, FlagshipKansas.Tech, OREAD Angel Investors, MidxMidwest, Husch Blackwell, and Plug and Play Topeka.

For media inquiries, sponsorships, or event registration, visit nxtus.io/events/gc26 or contact elleigh@nxtus.io or Cory.Keller@ks.gov.