Gather the latest news about Groover Labs, Wichita Coworking, Startups, and Founders on our blog.
Groover Labs in the News
This article appeared in the Wichita Business Journal on 1/7/22: Responding to a growing need for educated software developers in Wichita and the surrounding region, WSU Tech has launched a fast-track program in cloud computing aimed at placing students in the career field in as fast as 16 weeks. Classes for the cloud computing and cloud application development program will begin Jan. 31.
Media Release: WSU Tech launches cloud computing program
Today, WSU Tech announces the launch of a cloud computing program designed to fast-track students straight into a high-demand, high-wage career in as little as 16 weeks. The new program was developed due to the increasing need in Wichita and the surrounding region for educated software developers with an emphasis in cloud computing.
Office Hours Moves to 3rd Wednesday
Wednesdays at Groover Labs are about to get even more interesting! Starting in January, we're moving Office Hours to the third Wednesday of each month to coincide with Free Coworking Day and 1 Million Cups. And on the third Wednesday of each month, in addition to 1 Million Cups, we'll also host Office Hours and Free Coworking Day. So, you can come to Groover Labs, hear from local entrepreneurs, meet with professionals with startup expertise at no cost, and stick around to work in the hotseat area for the rest of the day.
KaaS in the News
One of downtown Wichita’s most historic buildings will soon house innovation — a move that has a former Silicon Valley startup sinking deeper roots in an emerging Heartland tech hub as it rapidly expands. Knowledge as a Service, Inc. (KaaS), maker of Ringorang, inked a five-year lease agreement and strategic partnership with Bonavia Properties earlier this month, securing 5,500 square feet of office space within the historic Garvey Center Plaza along Douglas Place, the companies said.
PLOT Hires Chad Cox as Head of Engineering
Plot Communications has hired Chad Cox as their new Head of Engineering. Chad has a deep startup background, most recently as co-founder of Appointment Launch, a patient onboarding and e-commerce application built to boost the optical experience of patients, customers, and optical staff. Born and raised in Wichita, KS, Chad is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion stationed in Ft. Benning, GA. He has a degree in computer science from Wichita State University and is passionate about his hometown, innovation, software, and startup
Shock Talk: Innovators Podcast with Curt Gridley
Our co-founder and executive director Curt Gridley joined the Shock Talk: Innovators podcast to talk about his experience starting AmberWave Systems in Boston in the late 90’s. The episode airs on December 15. Click here for a link or check it out where you listen to podcasts.
KaaS in the News
Startup technology company Knowledge as a Service Inc. (KaaS) has found its Wichita location in the Garvey Center downtown. The business has signed a five-year lease on office space in the building as part of an agreement with Bonavia Properties that included investment in the new company through two avenues. Read the full article in the Wichita Business Journal here. Read KaaS’ press release here.
Member Media Roundup: QuickHire
Groover Labs member QuickHire’s media mentions have taken off! Their most recent announcement, that the startup raised $1.41 million—an oversubscribed round—also highlighted a remarkable fact: sisters Deborah Gladney and Angela Muhwezi-Hall became the first Black women in Kansas to raise at least a million dollars in capita
QuickHire in the News
The Wichita sisters who founded a dating app-style platform matching job seekers with employers have raised $1.41 million for their startup, QuickHire. Deborah Gladney, 34, and Angela Muhwezi-Hall, 31, became the first Black women in Kansas to raise at least a million dollars in capital, according to Project Diane, which tracks minority women-led startups. “Most of these funds, especially when they are making early-stage investments, they are making investments in the people,” Gladney said. QuickHire hit the million-dollar fundraising milestone in a seed round led by MATH Venture Partners.
QuickHire Press Release
QuickHire, a career discovery platform working with service workers to find job and advancement opportunities, announces an oversubscribed $1.41 million financing round, led by MATH Venture Partners.
The funding will go towards technology investments and team expansion of this female, African American-run company, led by co-founders Deborah Gladney (34) and Angela Muhwezi-Hall (31).
PLOT Construction Communications Press Release
Congrats to Groover Labs member Chris Callen on his new venture, PLOT Construction Communications, a startup set to change how the construction industry communicates. Callen, co-founder and CEO, announced pre-seed funding from Koch Industries and Seeking Alpha.
IdeaTek in the news
One of our members, IdeaTek, was in the news recently. On Monday, October 25, the Wichita Eagle, in partnership with the Kansas Reflector, published an article about how CARES Act relief money to the tune of $50 million has gone into expanding broadband internet access in rural communities across Kansas. Photo Courtesy of the Kansas Reflector.
PLOT Communications in the News
Chris Callen has a new startup company called PLOT, which aims to help construction teams communicate more efficiently. He has partnered with the Indianapolis-based venture studio High Alpha Innovation.
Partnership Showcase : FLEXcon
Groover Labs and Wichita State University are excited to announce their first Partnership Showcase, a panel discussion and networking event. The event takes place at Groover Labs on Monday, October 25 from 4-6 p.m., and we hope you’ll join us. In-person registration is here and registration for the virtual option is here. The Partnership Showcase will feature the FLEXcon Company in a discussion entitled “Roll-to-Roll Processing: What It Is and What Does It Mean for Wichita-Based Companies and Startups.”
An Interview with the KaaS Team
Knowledge as a Service, Inc., or “KaaS”, operates Ringorang®, an app-based software solution designed to disrupt corporate learning. Companies that subscribe to Ringorang will use the technology to ensure employees retain and apply critical information from each learning session. The KaaS team brings high energy to Groover Labs. They walk fast and talk faster.
Office Hours Upgrade
We're upgrading the Office Hours program! Starting in September, each Office Hours advisor will give a short talk about a topic relevant to their field. After each talk, we'll open the floor for discussion. We will then return to our regular Office Hours advisory time, where each advisor will be available to meet with eager entrepreneurs.
Interview with Chad Cox, Co-Founder of Optical Launch
Chad Cox is the co-founder of Optical Launch, a turnkey e-commerce application built to boost the optical experience of patients, customers, and optical staff. Born and raised in Wichita, Kan., Cox is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion stationed in Ft. Benning, Ga. He has a degree in computer science from Wichita State University and, in his free time, is a pretty good chef. Read our interview with him here.
QuickHire Appears in Washington Post (Again!)
Groover Labs members Deborah Gladney and Angela Angela Muhwezi-Hall, along with their tech startup QuickHire, were mentioned in the Washington Post for the second time in less than two months. Click the link for the article.
Groover Labs Welcomes Bookkeeper Brittany Sweeney to Office Hours
Brittany Sweeney is the owner of Sweeney Bookkeeping, LLC. She has an extensive background in public and private bookkeeping, having worked in the field since 2010. Over the years, she has worked with a variety of different businesses. Brittany decided to open Sweeney Bookkeeping, LLC after seeing a need for affordable bookkeeping services for small businesses and start-ups. Her clients' success is what drives her.
KAAS begins crowdfunding to drive local hiring
Check out Groover Labs member and tech startup Knowledge as a Service, or KaaS, in a recent edition of the Wichita Business Journal by clicking on the link below. They have initiated an equity crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder.com to help hire 40 people in Wichita over the next year as they move operations to town.