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
Venture for America class comes ‘together like lightning’ for Friday job fair in KC
National fellowship program Venture for America is hoping to boost regional startups with an infusion of new talent. VFA, a two-year program for recent college graduates who want to learn how to build businesses, is planning one of its four regional job fairs Friday in Kansas City. The group — which launched in Kansas City…
Midwest VC, area startup vet join Firebrand Ventures following $17.7M fund raise
On the heels of smashing its fundraising goal, Firebrand Ventures has added a pair of new team members. The Kansas City-based seed fund is welcoming Cincinnati venture capitalist Wendy Lea as an advisor and Kansas City startup vet Maranda Manning as fund associate, said managing director John Fein. Lea brings a wealth of investment and…
Kansas City Coworking Alliance named world’s best at international Coworky’s
Scoring the title of the world’s best coworking alliance is a big win for Kansas City, Melissa Saubers said. “This is just another way that we can put Kansas City on the map to show that we are the most entrepreneurial city in America,” said Saubers, president of the Kansas City Coworking Alliance. “It’s verification…
Convenience unlocked: Amazon now offering delivery directly to vehicles in KCK
Adding to its area delivery offerings, Amazon is turning trunks in Kansas City, Kansas, into mailboxes. The Seattle-based tech giant on Tuesday introduced in-car delivery options in 37 U.S. cities, allowing its Prime members to receive packages in their parked vehicle. Kansas City, Kansas, and St. Louis are the only cities in Kansas and Missouri…