GUIDELINES

The ACCEL-KS at Groover Labs grant program helps Kansas innovators move ideas from concept to commercialization. Awards provide early funding, mentorship, and access to the resources founders need to test and validate scalable products.

Grant Awards

Award size

Grants run up to $25,000. Larger awards are typically paid in two milestone-based tranches. Smaller awards may be paid in a single tranche.

Purpose

Funding supports prototyping and technical validation as you move toward commercialization.

Programming support

Grant recipients gain access to Groover Labs programming, including the CAMPFIRE course, Maker Lab hardware prototyping, mentorship, and our statewide partner network.

Eligibility

The primary applicant must be a Kansas resident, and the project must be based in Kansas.

Eligible applicants include

  • Early-stage startups and entrepreneurs with a scalable product idea or prototype, software or hardware

  • Innovators and researchers seeking a commercialization pathway

Not eligible

  • Retail, storefront, consulting, or service businesses without a technical component

  • Projects that rely only on off-the-shelf tools (for example, a Shopify store) without proprietary technology

  • Founders who received funding in the 2025-2026 ACCEL-KS grant round

Application Process

Application

The application is not open yet. Sign up for our newsletter for official announcements.

Where to apply: grooverlabs.org/accel-ks-2027

Opening Date: TBD

Closing Date: TBD

Decisions will likely be announced by October 30.

Terms

  • This is a grant, not a loan. Whether you receive $5,000 or $25,000, you don’t have to repay the funds, regardless of the outcome.

  • Neither Groover Labs nor the Kansas Department of Commerce will require or request ownership in your company.

  • All intellectual property developed before the grant or with grant funds will remain yours.

  • You will be asked to provide progress updates to measure progress and the overall impact of the program.

  • You will be asked to keep records for occasional reports, and you may be asked for receipts on request.

  • Funds must be used by June 30, 2027, unless other arrangements are made.

  • Both Groover Labs and the Kansas Department of Commerce may ask your permission to promote your project in marketing materials through social channels, newsletters, blog posts, and media interviews.

Review Process

Screening Call: Groover Labs staff may hold a 20-minute call with eligible applicants to confirm fit, scope, and founder availability. We expect these calls to take place the week of September 28, 2026.

Evaluation Committee Review: Applicants who meet eligibility will be forwarded to the Review Committee. The Review Committee will evaluate applications on problem significance, technical feasibility, commercialization potential, team readiness, and overall merit. This review will likely take place the week of October 5, 2026.

Applications that meet these criteria will then present their project over Zoom to the Committee. Only a limited number of applications will advance to the interview stage due to the competitive nature of the program.

Conflicts of interest are disclosed; reviewers recuse themselves from the process if necessary.

You’ll receive an email from innovationkansas@grooverlabs.org to schedule your presentation time, likely the week of October 12, 2026. We understand you have jobs and families, but we expect you will make every effort to find a time within the listed dates. 

Evaluation Committee Decision: Awards are based on Committee scores and discussion and may be full or partial (e.g., $15,000 of a $25,000 request). We expect awards to be announced the week of October 27, 2026.

Grant Acceptance: Applicants receiving funding will receive an Acknowledgement Form outlining the approved uses of funds and corresponding milestone dates. They’ll be asked to sign and return this form, along with a company W-9, to confirm acceptance of the award and receive funds.