NXTUS Launches 2024 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort
By: NXTUS, Inc
January 10, 2024
Photograph courtesy of Darrin Hackney Photography, 2024
Wichita, Kan. – January 10, 2024 – NXTUS, Inc. today, announced the 2024 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort, comprised of 20 early-stage Kansas entrepreneurs serving a range of industries from urban and rural areas throughout the state.
The program, originally launched in 2022 with support from a Build-to-Scale grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, aims to help early-stage Kansas companies break through barriers to generate revenue and identify scalable offerings for their young companies. It has graduated more than 30 startups to date.
The 2024 cohort includes entrepreneurs offering unique healthcare solutions, business operations and individual well-being technology tools, a spin on traditional services, innovative experience and product-based solutions with robust e-commerce capabilities, and sustainable apparel for today’s generation of shoppers. For the second year, NetWork Kansas is supporting the program, enabling NXTUS to serve even more Kansas entrepreneurs in rural and urban areas often underserved by startup programs.
“As we proudly enter our third year of empowering Kansas entrepreneurs through the NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort, I am thrilled about the positive impact these innovative companies will have on economic development in Kansas,” said Amber Dunn, NXTUS Program Manager. “The diverse and dynamic group reflects the spirit of entrepreneurship in our state, and we’re honored to be a part of their continued growth and success.”
Through the program, the cohort will benefit from in-depth, personalized, 1:1 coaching provided by a national coaching partner, focusing on product-market fit and customer acquisition strategies. Additionally, participants will cultivate new connections and establish a supportive community with fellow founders through engaging in in-person workshops. Complementing these interactions, the cohort will also receive ongoing professional pitch coaching and mentorship.
2024 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort Members
· BerliozaBoyz (Wichita)
· BiioSoft (Wichita)
· Candid Health Advisors (Wichita)
· CardioBra (Wyandotte County)
· Crestview.io (Wichita)
· Finman Fishing (Hesston)
· GG’s Alpaca Farm (Wyandotte County)
· Hustle & Ground (Shawnee)
· Irrigation Ales (Courtland)
· Krispni (Wichita)
· Long Stem Gardens (Beloit)
· Los Charros Birria (Garden City)
· Maid Strong Cleaning Services (Wichita)
· Midwest Hemp Technology (Augusta)
· Mpruv Sports (Basehor)
· Roadside Wichita (Wichita)
· Service Plus Electrical (Hutchinson)
· Sharing Solace (Olathe)
· SwipeRep (Hutchinson)
· WRAX (Pleasanton)
In addition to NetWork Kansas and the ‘Build to Scale’ grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded to ICT Entrepreneurship Coalition members Wichita State University and NXTUS, the program is supported by the Greater Wichita Partnership, Capacity, the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, and Wichita Shredding.
For more information about this program or to view program participant details, go to: https://www.nxtus.io/nxtstage-customer-traction-cohort-2023
For more information on other NXTSTAGE programs, including the Community Health & Vibrancy Pilot Competition, the Financial Technology Pilot Competition, and the Enterprise Engagement Series occurring in Fall 2024, go to: www.nxtus.io/nxtstage