Parker McConachie 7/2/26 Parker McConachie 7/2/26

Accel-KS Proof of concept grant comes to a close

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.

Parker McConachie 6/5/26 Parker McConachie 6/5/26

Planetary Talent Wins Kansas Startup of the Year

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.

Parker McConachie 5/15/26 Parker McConachie 5/15/26

TOADWORX Wins Shocker New Venture Competition

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!

Parker McConachie 5/1/26 Parker McConachie 5/1/26

Members in the News: ACCEL-KS Grant Recipients

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.

Parker McConachie 3/17/26 Parker McConachie 3/17/26

ACCEL-KS Profile: MLNavigator

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

Parker McConachie 3/17/26 Parker McConachie 3/17/26

ACCEL-KS Profile: Grace Heritage Farms

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

Parker McConachie 3/6/26 Parker McConachie 3/6/26

Jacob Schlittenhardt Earns spot in Pipeline

We sat down with Planetary Talent Co-founder Jacob Schlittenhardt to hear about his experience as a member of Pipeline’s 2026 cohort.

Parker McConachie 3/6/26 Parker McConachie 3/6/26

ACCEL-KS Profile: Covalent Construction Solutions

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

Parker McConachie 3/6/26 Parker McConachie 3/6/26

ACCEL-KS Profile:Proactive Ballistics

ACCEL-KS grant recipient Proactive Ballisitic Sysems is building proactive technology engineered to enhance any safe room.

Parker McConachie 2/20/26 Parker McConachie 2/20/26

ACCEL-KS Progress Report: Where the money is going, and what’s being built

As of Janaury 31, 2026, we’ve received milestone reports from all grant recipients. Every funded project is active, building, and tracking toward their goals.

Parker McConachie 2/19/26 Parker McConachie 2/19/26

ACCEL-KS Profile: Winnovations LLC

Greg Winkler is the founder of Winnovations LLC, maker of The AngLure, a fiber-optic fishing lure attachment that mimics live prey to trigger instinctive strikes.

Parker McConachie 2/19/26 Parker McConachie 2/19/26

ACCEL-KS Profile: Planetary Talent

Planetary Talent uses AI to match startups with qualified candidates quickly, transforming hiring into storytelling.

Parker McConachie 2/5/26 Parker McConachie 2/5/26

ACCEL-KS Profile: Deltawerx

ACCEL-KS grant recipient Deltawerx Aerospace is engineering rapidly deploying drones for defense and emergency response.

Parker McConachie 2/5/26 Parker McConachie 2/5/26

ACCEL-KS Profile: George Consulting and Engineering

ACCEL-KS grant recipient George Consulting and Engineering is developing a self-powered IIoT product that captures data and monitors industrial equipment for manufacturers.

Parker McConachie 1/23/26 Parker McConachie 1/23/26

Interview: Jocelyn Galicia Powell

Read our interview with Jocelyn Galicia Powell. She’s well known in the Wichita Startup Ecosystem and is working on several exciting projects.

Parker McConachie 1/22/26 Parker McConachie 1/22/26

ACCEL-KS Profile: Toadworx

ACCEL-KS grant recipient Toadworx is developing affordable night vision equipment for civilians and law enforcement with innovative design and ergonomics.