21 Kansas Startups Chosen for Second Annual NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort!
NXTSTAGE - A program of NXTUS
What: The NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort is a customized accelerator designed for growth-minded Kansas startups who are in the thick of their product-market fit and customer-acquisition journeys. The program is designed to help early-stage companies break through barriers to generate revenue and identify scalable offerings. It launched in 2022, thanks to a “Build to Scale” grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and additional funding from NetWork Kansas has enabled the 2023 program to more than double in scope to better serve rural entrepreneurs. The program includes both in-person workshops and intensive 1:1 coaching in partnership with Fluent's national Flex Accelerator program.
Who: This cohort includes 21 startups hailing from Wichita, Lawrence, Overland Park, Shawnee, Maize, Elkhart, Dodge City, Jetmore, Liberal, Great Bend and more!
Participating companies offer a variety of products and services: breakthrough biotechnology solutions, tech-enabled services to enhance the lives of women, value-added capabilities for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and everyday offerings to enhance the culture and vitality of rural Kansas communities.
This program will impact the lives and business journeys of diverse Kansas Entrepreneurs. For example,
81% had minority or female founders
90% had females as founders/co-founders
62% had an ethnic minority
19% Black or African American
5% Asian or Asian American
29 % Hispanic or Latino
9% Native American or Alaska Native
9% had veterans and/or disabilities
All startups were from Kansas
11 are operating in underserved, rural Kansas
Two are operating in an Opportunity Zone Zip Code
Please see the attached for an overview of this dynamic group.
When: This program kicks off January 11th and ends with a Graduation Celebration on Wednesday, March 15th in Wichita.
Why: NXTUS exists to enable entrepreneurs grow companies of significance by connecting them to community resources, capital and customers. All of NXTUS’ programs work to address systemic challenges that affect entrepreneurs’ ability to start and grow businesses in the Heartland. Specifically focused on customer and revenue growth for early-stage companies, this accelerator operates alongside the NXTSTAGE Community Health & Vibrancy Pilot Competition, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas; the NXTSTAGE Fintech Pilot Competition; and the NXTSTAGE Enterprise Engagement Series.