Tag: Yes! Athletics

This duo plans to takedown one of female wrestlers’ most ‘mortifying’ foes: the wrong kind of exposure

By Tommy Felts / May 6, 2025

Two women-owned Kansas businesses are teaming up to ensure that female wrestlers don’t get pinned by a wardrobe malfunction mid-match, shared Deb North and Frankie Elder-Reedy. It’s a pairing that shows for these sole sisters, entrepreneurship is more than an individual sport. Topeka-based Yes! Athletics is going to the mat with the Apex high-impact sports…

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Still in the game: 16 startups advance in Kansas pitch tournament; courting a new style of seed funding

By Tommy Felts / March 17, 2025

WICHITA — And then there were 16. Monday’s pitch competition announcement served up sweet news for more than a dozen Kansas startups as local founders learned they’re advancing in the Gamechangers & Champions “Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels” — a tournament-style event set to end with a $20,000 grand prize. The just-released list of…

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Roster filled: 32 Kansas startups march into Round 2 of tourney-style pitch competition

By Tommy Felts / March 12, 2025

WICHITA — Nearly three dozen Sunflower State startups are vying for $20,000 in prize money — and courting the attention of investors — as they advance to the second round of an innovative, state-backed pitch competition set amid the excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. NXTUS on Tuesday announced the initial 32 companies advancing…

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AltCap Your Biz reveals 10 finalists vying for $25K grand prize at cornerstone GEWKC event

By Tommy Felts / October 23, 2023

A competition aimed at mobilizing the next generation of entrepreneurs and social innovators — along with awarding more than $40,000 in cash prizes to its winners — announced Monday the 10 finalists vying for its 2023 honors. AltCap Your Biz returns to the stage Thursday, Nov. 16 at Plexpod Westport at Park 39 as part…

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HERImpact awards $50K: Prize money expected to help pop-up scale into its own space

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2023

Editor’s note: 1863 Ventures is an advertiser with Startland News, though this report was produced independently by the nonprofit newsroom. Tirza Design allows consumers to support cause-based brands and survivors of human trafficking, exploitation, and other forms of abuse, detailed Nikkie Affholter, noting her venture also meets the need of bringing dignified employment to women who’ve escaped…

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