, , , ,

NXTUS expands enterprise-focused program beyond Kansas; four KC-area startups selected

August 13, 2025  |  Startland News Staff

Gharib Gharibi, Archia; Errick Quartucci, Alex Snook, and Hunter Haufler, OnSight; Donnie Hampton, ROZ; and Zik Nwanganga, ULOM; courtesy photos

WICHITA, Kan. — An ongoing initiative to demystify the relationship-building process between emerging entrepreneurs and potential enterprise partners just expanded deeper into the Midwest, welcoming 20 growth-minded innovators from Wichita to St. Louis.

Mary Beth Jarvis, president and CEO of NXTUS, speaks in March during the Gamechangers & Champions summit in Wichita; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“For entrepreneurs whose success depends on forging relationships with ‘the big guys,’ this unique program is so valuable,” said Mary Beth Jarvis, president and CEO of NXTUS, which organizes the NXTSTAGE Enterprise Engagement Series. “The entrepreneurs build their knowledge and confidence to more effectively approach large organizations. And the enterprise partners benefit from getting to know these startups as potential suppliers and collaborators, helping advance the ‘grow our own’ economic development efforts that are crucial to keep our region moving forward.”

Advancing in program, four Kansas City-area businesses — Archia, Overland Park, Kansas; OnSight, Spring Hill, Kansas; ROZ, Olathe, Kansas; and ULOM, Kansas City, Missouri — are set to meet weekly with the cohort through the end of September, gaining the tools and insights needed to build meaningful partnerships with the medium-to-large enterprises they hope to collaborate with and sell to in order to grow.

New this year, the program expanded its reach by welcoming startup applications from across the Midwest, moving beyond Kansas for the first time.

Through a curated selection process, NXTUS accepted startup founders from across a wide-range of industries, from advanced cybersecurity and AI-driven health and wellness platforms to inclusive workforce integration, transformative HR services, and specialized professional support that spans logistics, compliance, creative marketing, and more.

Members of the NXTSTAGE Enterprise Engagement Series cohort; photo courtesy of NXTUS

The just-announced cohort includes:

The 2025 program is expected to culminate with live pitches Sept. 29 at Cargill Protein Headquarters during the Startup-Enterprise Summit, the kickoff event of Launch Week, formerly known as Wichita Startup Week.

Now in its fourth year, the NXTSTAGE Enterprise Engagement Series has graduated 60 startups across 15 counties in Kansas. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have generated more than $44 million in lifetime revenue and created or retained 125 jobs since 2022.

Enterprise partners for 2025 include:

  • Berry Companies
  • Cargill
  • City of Wichita
  • Equity Bank
  • Evergy
  • Kansas Department of Commerce
  • Koch Supplier Strategies
  • LANGE Companies
  • iSi Environmental
  • Sedgwick County
  • Textron Aviation
  • USD 259 Wichita Public Schools
  • Village Travel

In addition, the 2025 NXTSTAGE Enterprise Engagement Series is made possible thanks to support from NetWork Kansas, the Greater Wichita Partnership with Opportunity Wichita affiliate, Fidelity Bank, and Forvis Mazars.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged , , , , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      Startland News Staff

      2025 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Carlos Mortera, Poio

        Brands from Poio to Made in KC booked for new airport; $1.5B expected through the gate over 15 years

        By Tommy Felts | October 9, 2021

        Local and minority-owned vendors selected to operate shops in Kansas City’s new airport terminal are more than up to the task, said Carlos Mortera, emphasizing the power of adding flavor to the highly anticipated project. “Most airports aren’t filled with local businesses,” noted Mortera, founder of Poio Mexican Barbeque. “We in Kansas City, I feel…

        Sean Null and Philip Van der Straeten of Erkios Systems at the Oct. 1 Arch Grant Gala for the 2021 cohort

        Erkios confirms KC headquarters moving to St. Louis; gears up for 2022 product launch

        By Tommy Felts | October 7, 2021

        While vendors for Erkios Systems were shut down during the pandemic, Sean Null and his team got busy learning the necessary skills to keep their startup going, he recalled. “We were doing a lot of the work on our own; so when the world started moving again, we were prepared. Essentially, we were able to…

        Adrianna Stranak, Who Is She?

        Sustainable style: Pop-up jewelry maker adds final touch of flare through zero-waste designs

        By Tommy Felts | October 7, 2021

        Everything in Adrianna Stranak’s life seems to happen a bit haphazardly, she said, laughing.  “When I started making jewelry, creating a business was not my initial goal,” shared Stranak, who teaches kindergarten in Kansas City, Kansas. “For me, I wanted these earrings that I couldn’t afford, so I made them!” As Stranak continued designing and…

        David Roberson, Azella

        How $90K from Fountain Innovation Fund could help Azella reach 10,000 financial advisors

        By Tommy Felts | October 7, 2021

        David Roberson grew up watching his mother struggle with financial management, he shared, noting his family’s stresses could have been alleviated with the help of a financial advisor.  Combining his passions for digital marketing, web development, SEO, design and financial literacy, Roberson founded the marketing firm Azella — named for his mother.  “Azella is a…