{"id":72681,"date":"2025-03-24T10:25:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T15:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kansascommerce.gov\/?p=72681"},"modified":"2025-03-24T10:25:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T15:25:07","slug":"kansas-innovation-partners-gather-for-gamechangers-and-champions-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kansascommerce.gov\/es\/2025\/03\/kansas-innovation-partners-gather-for-gamechangers-and-champions-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Kansas Innovation Partners Gather for Gamechangers and Champions Event"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Kansas Office of Innovation served as a convening partner last week for the Gamechangers and Champions event, held in Wichita, which brought together a diverse set of partners to support entrepreneurship and innovative startup development in Kansas. The 2025 Gamechangers and Champions was co-presented by NXTUS, a Wichita-based catalyst for the startup ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cBy bringing together startups, angel investors and ecosystem champions from across Kansas, we are creating a space where groundbreaking ideas can take root, partnerships can spark, and the future of our state\u2019s innovation ecosystem can be shaped,\u201d El Vicegobernador y Secretario de Comercio, David Toland, declar\u00f3<\/strong>. \u201cThis collaboration with NXTUS reflects our enduring commitment to empowering local startups, cultivating collaboration and fostering a culture of innovation that drives economic growth and opportunity for all Kansans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In addition to professional development and networking, Kansas startups competed in the Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels \u2014 a startup pitch competition \u2014 where entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their businesses, gain exposure to investors, and compete for funding that could propel their ventures forward. A $20,000 grand prize was delivered to pitch competition winner, Andrew Marquez with VU Scholarships of Roeland Park. And, selected by a vote of the more than 200 attendees, Matt Williams with Noonan brought home the \u201cFan\u2019s Choice\u201d award, which carried a $2,500 prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMost Kansans have no idea the breadth and quality of entrepreneurs who are building tomorrow\u2019s great businesses right here in Kansas,\u201d President and CEO of NXTUS Mary Beth Jarvis said<\/strong>. \u201cWe\u2019re changing that, thanks to the support from the Kansas Department of Commerce, Barton School of Business at WSU and the dozens of other sponsors. For the first time ever, we\u2019ll collide state-wide innovators \u2013 these gamechangers for our economy \u2013 with their champions \u2013 the investors and supporters who are lifting them up as they build companies around breakthroughs in every industry.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In addition to the pitch competition that initially included 74 companies, Gamechangers and Champions 2025 featured a variety of engaging activities, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n