NXTSTAGE Pilot Competition Banking on Innovation
NXTUS’ 2021 Financial Technology Startup Competition Opens Today!
Wichita, Kan. – May 6, 2021 – NXTUS, Inc. today announced the launch of the 2021 NXTSTAGE Financial Technology Pilot Competition alongside 2021 Premiere Sponsors Emprise Bank and Fidelity Bank.
This innovation program allows startups from around the world to present their innovative technologies to Kansas organizations.
The startups hope to gain market feedback and earn pilot tests and paying customers. Emprise Bank, Fidelity Bank and other pilot partners get the benefit of collaborating with innovative young companies and being an early adopter of next-generation “FinTech” solutions. These are technologies designed to help banks, credit unions and financial services businesses enhance their digital banking offerings, data analytics, digital marketing and other capabilities.
“We are excited to continue our participation with NXTUS as a founding program partner,” said Matt Michaelis, Chairman, President and CEO of Emprise Bank, which awarded two pilot projects in 2020. “Through the NXTSTAGE Pilot Competition, we have had the opportunity to engage with numerous startup companies from all over the world, each bringing an advanced solution along with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. These conversations and pilot programs have driven our innovative culture forward. We are excited to collaborate with this year’s cohort of startups.”
“With the last competition, we experienced first-hand how the entrepreneurial spirit is powering the positive disruption of the financial services industry,” said Aaron Bastian, President and CEO of Fidelity Bank. “Since then, the needs of our customers have further evolved. For us, the innovation spotlighted by NXTSTAGE empowers our efforts to build a stronger technological backbone, deliver truly integrated experiences and cultivate a more robust startup ecosystem right here in our home town.”
Last year, in the inaugural year for NXTSTAGE, 263 global startups applied, and four pilots were awarded during an online event that had more than 800 viewers, was headlined by Chase Koch and Steve Case, showcased 11 competition finalists, and featured inspiring Wichita entrepreneurs.
INTRUST Bank, which was a NXTSTAGE FinTech founding partner and awarded a pilot project in 2020, remains involved in the competition and its goals to advance innovation and help young tech companies grow in Kansas.
Thanks to pilot partner support, as well as a generous grant from the Talent Ecosystem Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation and support from NetWork Kansas, NXTSTAGE is advancing its vision to boost the growth of young tech companies and build the innovation culture in the region.
“NXTSTAGE is powered by forward-thinking organizations that believe Kansas can be a great proving ground for promising technologies,” said Mary Beth Jarvis,
NXTSTAGE executive director. “These competitions help advance the innovation culture in our region and alert smart young companies in the region and around the world that they have the chance to grow their business here.”
Applications for the Financial Technology Competition are now being accepted on the f6s startup platform.
In April, NXTUS launched a sister program, the NXTSTAGE Community Health and Vibrancy Pilot Competition, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. Applications are coming in from startups around the world, offering technology tools to be piloted by six Kansas organizations looking for innovative ways to improve population health and tackle challenges to their communities’ growth and vibrancy.