Tacit Technologies, founded by Rye Kennedy, makes Jitterbug, a device that helps wind farm owners decrease maintenance costs by up to 30 percent. Jitterbug identifies the early signs that a wind turbine is failing, so operators can plan repairs before a breakdown.

Founded by Logan Schraeder, Toadworx develops night vision accessories and hardware for civilians and law enforcement. Their first product, the BATL (formerly the LAM Mk1A), began as a notebook page drawing during a team brainstorming session around a kitchen table. Now, they’re shipping to customers.

On June 11, we gathered at Groover Labs to mark the conclusion of the inaugural Accelerating Concept to Commercialization in Kansas (ACCEL-KS) proof-of-concept grant program, and to celebrate the 25 founders who spent the past year turning their ideas into working hardware and software prototypes.

Congratulations to Groover Labs member and ACCEL-KS grant recipient Planetary Talent, which was named Kansas Tech Startup of the Year at FlagshipKansas.Tech’s Ad Astra Technology Summit on June 4.

ACCEL-KS Proof-of-Concept grant recipient and Maker Lab member Toadworx took first place in Wichita State University’s Shocker New Venture Competition. Congratulations, Toadworx!

Last week, the Wichita Business Journal published a cover story about startups to watch in Wichita. All four selections are both Groover Labs members and ACCEL-KS grant recipients.

ACCEL-KS grant recipient MLNavigator on their product adapterOS, an energy and cost-efficient AI solution.

ACCEL-KS grant recipient Grace Heritage Farm tells us about their Virtual Goat Fencing Collars.

ACCEL-KS grant recipient Covalent Construction Solutions is an AI-powered estimating tool built from the ground up with trade contractors.