LISTEN: Meet the partners behind Plug and Play Topeka’s growth (and impact)
October 10, 2025 | Austin Barnes
On a special episode of Startland News’ 12-part podcast series diving deeper into Plug and Play, we explore how the Topeka-based program and its partners work to turn bold ideas into Kansas success stories.
Cole Ahlvers, NQV8 Fund, right, speaks on a panel at the Plug and Play Animal Health & AgTech Expo in Topeka; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Guests includes Bret Lanz from Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute; John G. Brown of StenCo; and Cole Ahlvers from NQV8 Fund.
RELATED: Global startups plug into Topeka: How Kansas connections are powering their innovation
Together guests unpack collaboration across universities, corporations, and investment firms is accelerating innovation in the Midwest — fueling everything from advanced manufacturing to agtech and animal health.
Recorded live at the Plug and Play Animal Health & AgTech Expo in Topeka, hear how Plug and Play connects these players, why Kansas is quietly becoming a national hub for commercialization, and what it takes to turn breakthrough ideas into scalable companies.
Listen to a teaser below or click here for the full podcast episode.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Timely funding opportunities for Kansas City startups
Despite Kansas City’s recognition as a tech hub, its variety of incubator programs and array of successful startup ventures, the metro’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is still trying to fill the money gap. How can the community ensure that entrepreneurs have access the capital they need? Well, as KCSourceLink knows well, appropriate funding resources vary widely depending…
Mobility Designed tackles a demand unaddressed since the Civil War
Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by LaunchKC but independently produced by Startland News. Some technologies are slow to innovate. And crutches — which haven’t changed much since the U.S. Civil War — are a prime example. “They’ve pretty much been the same for decades,” said Liliana Younger, CEO of Mobility Designed. “Although there…
Two area startups still vying for $25K from the Kauffman Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation on Monday announced the top 15 finalists in the 1 in a Million pitch competition that are vying for a $25,000 grant — and two startups hail from the metro area. Kansas City-based The Grooming Project and Lawrence-based DraftPak both cracked the top 15 in the contest after beating out…
Fund me, KC: Hidden Abilities offers high-tech pen to topple dyslexia
Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Hidden Abilities co-founders Payden and Jamee Miller — to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Back Hidden Abilities’ product here. Who are you? Jamee Miller and Miller, co-founders of Hidden…