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
5 KC startups make national contest
Kansas City is well represented in a national competition in which startups have a shot at winning $10,000. Five Kansas City companies were recently announced among 40 contestants in the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s “One in a Million” competition. The competition, which received 377 applicants, challenges startups that have presented at the foundation’s 1 Million…
Angel investors recommit to KC with new fund
A new micro venture investment fund launched in Kansas City last week is targeting local, regional and national technology and science startups for funding. The fund, run by Angel Capital Group, is targeting $1 million to $5 million in capital to invest. This isn’t ACG’s first funding effort in Kansas City. The organization has a…
Events Preview: Working with co-founders
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW September First Friday @ Think Big When: September 4 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Where: Think Big Coworking We’re back for another First…
MECA Challenge engages KC students in entrepreneurship
For two years, MECA Challenge has been working with Kansas City’s students to instill an entrepreneurial mindset. This fall, organizers are all-in with the first of five MECA Challenges of the season set for tomorrow, Friday, at Blue Valley CAPS. The program is a one-day event for student groups in which they work on teams with…