Still in the game: 16 startups advance in Kansas pitch tournament; courting a new style of seed funding
Gamechangers & Champions Round of 16 companies: Mark Glade, FinMan Fishing; Victoria Weber, Marma Health; Bob Waddell, MD MatchUp; Miguel Johns, Milton; Mahyar Khosravi, Nitride Global; Matt Williams, Noonan; Chris Callen, PLOT; LaDonna Gooden, ShotTracker; Liliana Younger, Sleep Fitter; JQ Sirls, Storytailor; Rye Kennedy, Tacit Technologies; Drake Dukes, Teddy; Zik Nwanganga, ULOM; Edward Márquez, VU Scholarships; Frankie Elder-Reedy, Wrax; Deb North, Yes! Athletics
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 competitors — narrowed from an initial roster of 32 — packs the benches for Friday’s big pitch showdown in Wichita — set against the backdrop of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament later this week in the Sunflower State’s largest city.