NXTSTAGE taps trio of KC entrepreneurs to help their companies grow revenue, scale
January 25, 2024 | Startland News Staff
WICHITA — Three Kansas City startup founders are among 20 early-stage companies selected for the latest NXTUS program aimed at boosting innovation from within urban and rural areas throughout the state of Kansas.
Joining the 2024 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort: Joy Broils, Hustle & Ground, Shawnee; Mark Lukenbill, Mpruv Sports, Basehor; and Crystal Webster, Sharing Solace, Olathe.
Hustle & Ground and Mpruv Sports previously participated in the 2023 NXTSTAGE Enterprise Engagement Series. Mpruv also recently was named one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024.
RELATED: Mpruv Sports swings for greater inclusion in traditional athletics
The NXTSTAGE program, originally launched in 2022 with support from a Build-to-Scale grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, aims to help early-stage Kansas companies break through barriers to generate revenue and identify scalable offerings for their young companies. It has graduated more than 30 startups to date.
The 2024 cohort includes entrepreneurs offering unique healthcare solutions, business operations and individual well-being technology tools, a spin on traditional services, innovative experience and product-based solutions with robust e-commerce capabilities, and sustainable apparel for today’s generation of shoppers.
Click here to learn more about the 20 companies in the 2024 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort.
2024 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction cohort; photo courtesy of NXTUS
For the second year, NetWork Kansas is supporting the program, enabling NXTUS to serve even more Kansas entrepreneurs in rural and urban areas often underserved by startup programs.
“As we proudly enter our third year of empowering Kansas entrepreneurs through the NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort, I am thrilled about the positive impact these innovative companies will have on economic development in Kansas,” said Amber Dunn, NXTUS Program Manager. “The diverse and dynamic group reflects the spirit of entrepreneurship in our state, and we’re honored to be a part of their continued growth and success.”
Through the program, the cohort will benefit from in-depth, personalized, 1:1 coaching provided by a national coaching partner, focusing on product-market fit and customer acquisition strategies. Additionally, participants will cultivate new connections and establish a supportive community with fellow founders through engaging in in-person workshops. Complementing these interactions, the cohort will also receive ongoing professional pitch coaching and mentorship.
In addition to NetWork Kansas and the Build to Scale grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded to ICT Entrepreneurship Coalition members Wichita State University and NXTUS, the program is supported by the Greater Wichita Partnership, Capacity, the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, and Wichita Shredding.
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Troost revival: Can a brewpub, retail and 670 housing units mend racial divide?
No turning back now, Ilan Salzberg said. “This is real,” the Wonder lofts developer laughed, gesturing at the freshly installed kitchen cabinetry and hardware in a model apartment unit at 30th Street and Troost Avenue. Wonder is expected to be the first of three major residential developments to open between 27th Street and Armour Boulevard…
LaunchCode wins MIT Innovation challenge, $150K award
LaunchCode, a nonprofit that bolsters the tech workforces in St. Louis and Kansas City by offering free but rigorous coding courses, was recently recognized for its innovative approach to reinventing the future of work. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced that LaunchCode is a grand prize winner of its 2017 Inclusive Innovation Challenge, awarding the…
Pipeline receives up to $2M from Kauffman Foundation grant
Pipeline Entrepreneurs announced Tuesday that the fellowship program is deepening its relationship with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and receiving a challenge grant of more than $2 million over the next four years. The grant amount is dependent upon private fundraising with the foundation matching dollar-for-dollar, a release said. Launched in 2006, Pipeline offers an…
KC entrepreneurial educator: ‘Zip code shouldn’t determine success’
Entrepreneurship education should begin as early as kindergarten, said Rachel Foster. “The younger my students are, the more creative they are, and the less the world has had time to tell them that it’s ‘not possible’ or ‘you can’t do that,’” said Foster, entrepreneurship teacher at Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy. “If we are able…