Gather the latest news about Groover Labs, Wichita Coworking, Startups, and Founders on our blog.
Groover Labs Co-founders on ICT Podcast
Successful Tech Entrepreneurs Curt Gridley and Tracy Hoover created Groover Labs, and the accelerator is pressed firmly to the floor in the startup/entrepreneurial space in Wichita, Kansas.
Six Wichita Startups to Watch in 2022
The below feature in this week’s Wichita Business Journal lists six local startups to watch in 2022. Three of those six are members at Groover Labs. Read about out members below. Read the entire article at the business journal by clicking here.
Groover Labs in the News
From KSN.com: People searching for a first career or a new career have a new option through WSU Tech. The school announced Thursday it is launching a cloud computing program designed to fast-track students straight into a high-demand, high-wage career in as little as 16 weeks. Classes begin on Jan. 31. WSU Tech said there is a need in the Wichita metro area for educated software developers with an emphasis in cloud computing.
Groover Labs in the News
From the 1/6/22 edition of the Wichita Eagle: WSU Tech is announcing the launch of a new cloud computing and application development program that promises to train students for in-demand IT jobs in just four months. Jennifer Seymour, WSU Tech vice president of general education and applied technologies, said that as businesses have been forced to rethink their operations during the pandemic, the technical college has identified a need for dynamic IT training in Wichita.
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 in the News
Wichita startup QuickHire is poised for continued growth following a funding round that raked in $1.4 million for founders Deborah Gladney and Angela Muhwezi-Hall. It was the hiring technology company’s first institutional raise, with Gladney telling the WBJ that the company raised more than it expected.‘It was oversubscribed,” Gladney says. “Initially, it will go toward technology and continued expansion.” -Daniel McCoy, Reporter, Wichita Business Journal
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).
RECAP: 3D Printing classes
Groover Labs is excited to begin opening its Maker Labs facilities by offering a roster of classes, with plans to expand in the future to more classes, Maker Labs memberships, and open studio hours for class attendees. We recently held two 3D printing class sessions to begin our education outreach. Led by Executive Director Curt Gridley and Shop Lead Jeremiah Burian, we had students with different levels of experience and a variety of goals.
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.”