NXTUS launches bracket-style pitch competition for Kansas startups with $20K in prizes

A new, high-energy pitch competition is expected to help startup founders collide with angel investors and innovation leaders from across Kansas — all set against the excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this spring.

The Gamechangers & Champions bracket bash is set for March 21 in downtown Wichita — a one-day bracket-style experience organized by entrepreneur support engine NXTUS and the Kansas Department of Commerce. The tournament itself begins in the weeks preceding competition day, with startups narrowed from a group of 32 to the “Sweet Sixteen” round.

“Elite Eight,” “Final Four” and Championship rounds are planned in-person for game-day at the Commerce Club in Wichita.

Click here to pitch a Kansas startup at the event, with $20,000 in prize money on the line from the Barton School of Business at Wichita State University, as well as investors standing by.

“This event will not only celebrate the bold innovators who have paved the way and are now leaning into reinvesting into the future but will also plug ‘up and coming’ innovators into the resources, connections, and networking they need to fuel their path forward,” said Amber Dunn, program manager for Wichita-based NXTUS. “Overall, we hope to attract, educate and inspire more Kansans to be champions for startups as angel investors and supporters.”

Kevin Lockett, Fulcrum Global Capital

Among those existing champions: Kevin Lockett, a Fulcrum Global Capital partner and long-time supporter of entrepreneurs, as well as a former Kansas State and Kansas City Chiefs football standout, is slated to give a keynote presentation for the Gamechangers & Champions event. 

“Enabling success for more ‘Gamechangers’ — growth-minded, innovative entrepreneurs — and growing our team of champions are both needed to cement Kansas as a place where startups can thrive,” Dunn said.

The event starts with networking and an opening session that includes a Startup Grind Fireside Chat featuring  Graham Krizek, CEO of Voltage Cloud. The Elite Eight pitch competitors, vying for cash prizes and potential angel  investments, will be revealed and do a mini pitch showcase, setting the stage for the competition’s final rounds in the afternoon. 

“We’re seeking Kansas-based startups that are not only innovative, but also have the potential to create significant economic and social impact within our state,” said Dunn, noting the competition is industry agnostic. “This event is more about creating meaningful collisions with investors and want-to-be investors alongside startups who have passionate and driven founders, a strong understanding of their target market, and a clear vision for the future.”

Trish Brasted, Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures, center, speaks alongside Mary Beth Jarvis, NXTUS, and Josh Oeding, Tenzing Capital Ventures, during a previous NXTUS event at the Commerce Club in Wichita; photo courtesy of NXTUS

Midday breakout sessions are expected to offer tailored content for startups and investors. The Startup Track features workshops led  by seasoned founders, entrepreneur support organizations, and regional advisors, while the Angel Track covers  Kansas’s Growth-Capital Network, investing fundamentals, and due diligence best practices, presented by Accelerate  Venture Partners and industry experts.

Click here to secure tickets as an attendee.

Throughout the day, the Commerce Club will also serve as the Business & Basketball Lounge — sponsored by Network  Kansas — as a hub for casual networking, watching NCAA games from other regions, and connecting with resources  from around Kansas that support entrepreneurs.

“By bringing together startups, angel investors, and ecosystem champions from across Kansas, we are  creating a space where groundbreaking ideas can thrive, partnerships can spark, and the future of our state’s  innovation ecosystem can be shaped,” said Romaine Redman, chief innovation and strategy officer with the Kansas  Department of Commerce. “This collaboration with NXTUS reflects our enduring commitment to empowering local  startups, cultivating collaboration and fostering a culture of innovation that drives economic growth and opportunity  for all Kansans.”

Key competition dates include:

• March 3: Application deadline  
• March 4: Round of 32 announced  
• March 11: Sweet Sixteen announced  
• March 21: Elite Eight pitch live, with judges selecting the Final Four