Trio of KC healthtech startups wrap NXTUS competition; Marma scores pilot project

WICHITA — Companies working to improve Kansans’ health and community growth momentum across the state just completed an eight-week competition in hopes of developing collaborative relationships to scale alongside new regional partners.

Three Kansas City startups were among a cohort of 10 finalists — drawn from global innovation hubs to participate in the NXTSTAGE Community Health & Vibrancy Pilot Competition, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) through Wichita-based NXTUS.

“The competition has been a game-changer for bringing solutions to rural health challenges across our state,” said Virginia Barnes, director of Blue Health Initiatives for BCBSKS. “We are proud to support this competition because it means more resources, healthier Kansans, and stronger, more well-connected communities.”

Marma — a Kansas City, Kansas-based, OB-GYN-approved platform that offers personalized nutrition during the birthing years from fertility through postpartum — earned a pilot project with Hodgeman County Economic Development through the NXTSTAGE competition.

“We’re finalizing a pilot with Hodgeman County Economic Development to bring Marma’s women’s health expertise to their community,” Meredith McAllister, founder of Marma, told Startland News. “We’ll offer personalized coaching and nutrition resources for hormone support, fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum care. Our missions align in prioritizing women’s wellness across life stages.”

The collaboration could serve as a model for integrating women’s health into community development strategies, she added, noting the pilot will provide measurable data on health outcome improvements.

“Our selection for this pilot is timely,” McAllister continued. “We recently launched our web platform and integrated with a new EHR system, enhancing our ability to work with larger organizations and provide personalized user experiences. We’ve expanded our services to include fertility and general cycle support. NXTUS has connected us with health organizations and communities, highlighting the growing focus on women’s health and food as medicine.”

Innovator finalists in the 2024 NXTSTAGE Community Health & Vibrancy Pilot Competition in Wichita; photo courtesy of NXTUS

The Marma collaboration was announced at the culmination of the eight-week cohort, wherein regional health and economic-development organizations revealed their top pilot picks after a startup pitch showcase. It was the first in a series of NXTUS program events that continue this week during Wichita Startup Week.

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NXTSTAGE’s 2024 Community Health & Vibrancy Pilot Competition highlighted entrepreneurs’ solutions to health challenges linked to veteran career opportunities, holistic individual care, early skin cancer detection, citizen engagement, and gamified addiction recovery.

In addition to Marma’s success with Hodgeman County Economic Development, Kansas City-area cohort members Leva and SeeInMe are exploring opportunities with Russell Regional Hospital, though no specific projects are currently in the works.

All three companies are also eligible to work with LiveWell NWK, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, and Republic County, with each of those potential partner entities still looking at how grand and other funding opportunities could support future projects with finalists.

Vanessa Jupe, Leva, pitches her company during the 2024 NXTSTAGE Community Health & Vibrancy Pilot Competition in Wichita; photo courtesy of NXTUS

Risa Stein, SeeInMe, pitches her company during the 2024 NXTSTAGE Community Health & Vibrancy Pilot Competition in Wichita; photo courtesy of NXTUS

Kansas City, Kansas-based Leva holistically supports new moms and families, reducing turnover and boosting productivity and morale. SeeInMe, which is headquartered in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, promotes collaborative, coordinated care, fueled by data-driven insights “and a relentless focus on the uniqueness of every individual.”

Click here to learn more about the other competitors.

Since 2021, the NXTSTAGE Community Health & Vibrancy Pilot Competition has kick-started 55 local and statewide projects, organizers said. This year’s program attracted 136 competitors from 31 states and 11 countries.

Of these diverse competitors, 72 percent had females or minorities on their founding teams, and 100 percent of the finalists had ethnic minorities or females as founders.

In addition to the presenting sponsorship from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, the competition is made possible by support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation, NetWorked Partnership for Community Investment, OneRise Health Campus (Lange Companies), Kansas Health Science University-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Greater Wichita Partnership’s Opportunity Wichita Affiliate.