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
VIDEO: Local Legends makes brick-and-mortar play with new Westport gaming center
A popular E-Sports startup plans to level up sooner than its founder ever envisioned — putting Local Legends Gaming on Main Street. But this time, it’s wheels up, said AbdulRasheed Yahaya. “We really want to introduce Kansas City to the big, E-Sports brand and how social [gaming] really is,” Yahaya said of his new brick-and-mortar…
Make KC Gift Again 2018: 12 Kansas City-stuffed stocking stuffers
Startland News presents its annual gift guide of Kansas City-made products to celebrate dozens of KC makers and give readers curated shopping hints. Check out selections for last-minute (or not) stocking stuffers below. (Have more ideas? Leave them for readers in the comments below. We know this is just a glimpse of what Kansas City…
Make KC Gift Again 2018: Five wearable Kansas City pride shopping ideas
Startland News presents its annual gift guide of Kansas City-made products to celebrate dozens of KC makers and give readers curated shopping hints. Check out selections for showing Kansas City pride below. (Have more ideas? Leave them for readers in the comments below. We know this is just a glimpse of what Kansas City has…
Make KC Gift Again 2018: 10 homegrown shopping ideas for him, her or them
Startland News presents its annual gift guide of Kansas City-made products to celebrate dozens of KC makers and give readers curated shopping hints. Check out selections below for him, her or them — heck, these are suggestions anyone would love. (Have more ideas? Leave them for readers in the comments below. We know this is…