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
Meet six coalitions earning grants through Kauffman Foundation’s new ‘Collective Impact’ funding pathway
Systemic change happens when communities come together to drive transformation through collaboration, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, announcing a half-dozen grants to high-capacity organizations with strategies to close economic mobility gaps in the Kansas City region. The “Collective Impact” planning grants of up to $500,000 are awarded to the winning coalitions are the first piece of…
‘Mama Mystery’ podcast builds true crime following from serial entrepreneur’s St. Joe home studio
ST. JOSEPH, Missouri — Kelly Evans is no stranger to a good mystery. But the real puzzle, the mother of four said, is how she mastered multitasking her true crime podcast, multiple businesses, and a radio show — all while hooking her audience with gripping storytelling and a dash of humor to balance out the…
Grateful for this moment (again): Fantrepreneurs back in play as Super Bowl boosts small biz
A blitz of Super Bowl-bound Chiefs-inspired playoff sales feels like a winning two-point conversion after a holiday season touchdown for Kansas City makers; many of whom in recent years have seen their longtime fandom intertwined with their businesses’ bottom lines. “We are fans and also small business owners all wrapped into one,” said Morgan Georgie,…
KC team leaves its mark on Superdome; How your gameday Super Bowl view could be thanks to this Lenexa firm
A five-year, $560-million renovation at the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans culminates Feb. 9 in a Super Bowl rematch featuring the hometown team of an engineering firm responsible for much of the work at the massive historic arena. Henderson Engineers, a Lenexa-based building systems design firm, recently completed a wide range of renovation projects within…