19 Kansas Entrepreneurs Graduate from 2025 Customer Traction Cohort
Photo of the 2025 Customer Traction Cohort. Photo courtesy of Darrin Hackney.
Wichita, Kan. – April 9, 2025– NXTUS, Inc., yesterday celebrated 19 growth-minded Kansas entrepreneurs that have completed its fourth-annual NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort at a luncheon at Evergy Connect. The program, completed by 70 startups to date, is individually tailored for each entrepreneur, helping them advance their unique go-to-market and revenue strategies.
"This program is hyper-customized, meeting each startup exactly where they are, and helping them validate their riskiest assumptions through a series of small, targeted tests,” said Amber Dunn, NXTUS Program Manager. “This cohort has seen incredible wins, like expanding into new markets, experiencing 'light bulb' moments leading to new revenue models, and launching new products to early adopters."
Thanks to funding from Network Kansas and INTRUST Bank, the program serves rural and urban entrepreneurs at no charge to the startups. The cohort spans the breadth of innovators and company builders in Kansas, from tech-driven solutions in talent recruitment, healthcare, finance, and logistics, to scalable spins on upskilling in workforce experiences like team building, DJing, and sustainable retail.
The 2025 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort Members:
· Biomedica Search (Manhattan)
· Breese Organizational Wellness (Topeka)
· Connection And Synergy (Oskaloosa)
· Exemplify Leadership (Wichita)
· Good Works Talent (Wichita)
· Jardín (Lawrence)
· LRG Commercial Contracting (Wyandotte)
· MD Matchup (Olathe)
· Midland Railroad Hotel (Wilson)
· NPWR Training (Wichita)
· Phy-Cy.X Security Group (Wichita)
· POURPIS (Wichita)
· Reliant Merchant Services (Wichita)
· Scholarnetics360 (Prairie Village)
· Seedfolk Partners (Wyandotte)
· Sundown AgriSupply (Hoisington)
· Top Gun Concrete Lifting (Ottawa)
· Van-Go! Transport Services (Wichita)
· Winding Creek Soap and Supply (Ellsworth)
Throughout the program, participants engaged in in-depth, one-on-one coaching with a national partner, focusing on product-market fit and customer acquisition. They also developed valuable connections through in-person workshops and received ongoing professional pitch coaching and mentorship.
“The 1:1 coaching was invaluable. My coach’s strategic and brilliant advice is actively shaping the growth of my business and leading to new opportunities,” said Vanessa Tillemans, founder of POURPIS. “Receiving actionable feedback on my pitch from the group was also incredibly helpful. I’m so grateful to have been part of a program that offered such insight and support.”
In addition to the program’s course, the cohort had the opportunity on March 21st to participate in Gamechangers & Champions 2025: A Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels, a high energy event that provided a platform for startups to connect with investors and innovation stakeholders, fostering networking, education, and competitive interaction.
Yesterday's luncheon not only graduated the Customer Traction Cohort participants, but it also served as the launch of the Spring 2025 Accessing Growth Capital Series, a program that helps founders prepare to secure funding, refine their pitches, and connect with investors. The AGCS cohort and ecosystem partners joined in on the graduation celebration, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the Kansas startup community.
In addition to Network Kansas and INTRUST Bank, the 2025 Customer Traction Cohort was supported by K-State 105, Capitol Federal, Evergy, the Greater Wichita Partnership’s Opportunity Wichita affiliate,Capacity, and the College of Innovation and Design at Wichita State University.
For more information about this program or to view program participant details, go to:https://www.nxtus.io/nxtstage-customer-traction-cohort.