Wichita Startup Week will take place at Groover Labs for the third year in a row. This year’s event takes place November 13-17, and will feature five tracks. The organizers are searching for a diversity of speakers, so if you’re interested or know someone who might be interested, read the release below to learn how to enter or nominate someone. We’re excited to host WSW23!
Wichita Startup Week Announces 2023 Tracks, Calls for Speakers
WICHITA – Wichita Startup Week, presented by Koch Industries, announced at its Preview Party last week the tracks planned for this year’s event and opened a call for proposals.
Wichita Startup Week 2023 will present five days of panel discussions, sessions and workshops across five tracks designed to transform ideas into startup reality.
Startup Toolkit Track
Whether you have the beginnings of an idea or you’re seeking solutions for scaling your existing startup, the Startup Toolkit Track is intended to open the door to the education and resources available in the Wichita ecosystem for newcomers and established entrepreneurs alike.
Innovation Track
Imagining Wichita’s entrepreneurial future and working toward strategies to get us there, Wichita Startup Week’s Innovation Track touches on topics like advanced manufacturing, AI, cybersecurity and other technological innovations driving Wichita to win.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Track
For underserved populations who do not have equitable access to entrepreneurship, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Track focuses on ensuring marginalized communities have the opportunity to lead in the economy of Wichita’s future by connecting them to education and resources available.
Social Entrepreneurship
Not every entrepreneur sets out to start a business. The Social Entrepreneurship Track highlights the entrepreneurs starting up nonprofits and their impact on the Wichita community and ecosystem.
Entrepreneurial Spirit Track
Wichita Startup Week’s goals are to activate, celebrate and elevate the community, and the Entrepreneurial Spirit Track focuses on celebration. From the Welcome Reception and Kickoff Keynote to the Martin | Pringle #WichitaWins wrap-up celebration, Startup Week is celebrating the entrepreneurship community.
Youth Track
Designed to inspire young people to explore entrepreneurship, the Youth Track features panel discussions and speakers who have blazed the trail for the next generation of entrepreneurs in Wichita.
Speaker and volunteer forms are available at www.WichitaStartupWeek.com. The deadline to submit a speaker nomination is September 30, 2023.
A preliminary schedule of events for Wichita Startup Week 2023 was also released at the Preview Party:
Monday, November 13
Kickoff Keynote at Groover Labs
Resource Summit and Kickoff Party at Wave
Tuesday, November 14
Panels, sessions and workshops at Groover Labs
Social Hour
Wednesday, November 15
1 Million Cups at 9 a.m.
Panels, sessions and workshops
NXTUS Enterprise Engagement Series Culminating Event at 4 p.m.
Thursday, November 16
Panels, sessions and workshops
Startup Trade Show
The Startup Mashup Meetup, in partnership with Startup Grind and WIBA
Friday, November 17
Panels, sessions and workshops
The Martin | Pringle #WichitaWins Celebration at Wichita Petroleum Club
Wichita Startup Week is a volunteer-led effort in collaboration with Techstars, a global network devoted to aiding entrepreneurs. This year’s Organizing Team includes:
James Williams, Black Hills Energy Senior Community Affairs Manager, and Thomas Papadatos, Venture Investment Manager of Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures, organizing sponsorships and partnerships for 2023.
Ramsey Jamoul, Founder of Unified Esports Association, leading Community and Mentorship and working with established founders to connect them with newcomers at this year’s event.
Ti’Juana Hardwell, Founder of Mamarazzi Communications, leading Wichita Startup Week’s marketing efforts this year.
Ian Worrell, Program Manager at NXTUS, leading Wichita Startup Week volunteer efforts.
Troy Tabor, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Wichita State University, leading programming, panel discussions, sessions and workshops. His programming team includes:
Cody Hill, Founder of Cody Hill Coaching, leading our Innovation Track.
JaNeshia Wilson, Assistant Director of Innovation and New Ventures at Wichita State University, leading the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Track.
Roy Moye, Founder and CEO of STEMusic and Talent Acquisition Specialist at Spirit Aerosystems, leading the Youth Track.
For more information, please contact Shae Blevins, Wichita Startup Week Organizing Team Lead, at sablevins1@gmail.com. To stay up-to-date about featured programs, speakers, visit www.WichitaStartupWeek.com.
About Wichita Startup Week
Wichita Startup Week is an annual event that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of Wichita. With a series of workshops, keynote speeches, networking events, and more, it aims to inspire, educate, and connect individuals in the startup ecosystem. Since its inaugural event in 2021, Wichita Startup Week has witnessed rapid growth, from 300 registrants in its first year to more than 700 in 2022. This year, the goal is to go even bigger and shed light on the thriving entrepreneurial spirit in Wichita. The event is made possible through a partnership with Techstars, a worldwide network dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed. WSW is a grassroots effort by local volunteers who believe the time is now to help Wichita realize its entrepreneurial potential. Learn more at www.WichitaStartupWeek.com.
About Techstars
The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas — entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,500 companies with a combined market cap of more than $200B. www.techstars.com
About Koch Industries, Inc.
Based in Wichita, Kansas, Koch Industries, Inc. is one of the largest private companies in America, with estimated annual revenues that have exceeded $125 billion. It owns a diverse group of companies involved in industrial manufacturing, agriculture, building materials, glass, automotive components, refining, renewable energy, chemicals and polymers, pulp and paper, packaging, consumer products, electronics, enterprise software, data analytics, medical products, engineered technology, project services, recycling, supply chain and logistics, global commodities trading, and investments. Since 2003, Koch companies have invested nearly $150 billion in growth and improvements. With a presence in more than 70 countries, Koch companies employ more than 120,000 people worldwide, with about half of those in the United States. For more news and information, visit www.KOCHind.com.