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.
Groover Labs member and Knowledge as a Service co-founder Robert Feeney was recently featured in the Wichita Business Journal. KaaS operates Ringorang, a mobile app that provides short, daily nudges that are customized to specific goals and challenges.
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!
Longtime Groover Labs member Ryan Selenke, founder of Reliant Merchant Services, was recently recognized as one of the 2026 SBA Small Business of the Year nominees.
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.
Last Wednesday, Hope Shimabuku, Director of the USPTO’s Southwest Region Office, spoke at 1 Million Cups. We moved the presentation from our event venue to the Maker Lab, which felt like a better fit for the theme
Reverie Coffee Roasters, one of the most well-known artisanal independent coffee shops in Wichita, was recently featured in a Wall Street Journal article. The piece, which appeared in the Monday, March 29 print edition, highlights some of the challenges founder and owner Andrew Gough faces as the “roller coaster” price of coffee fluctuates due to market conditions.
On Saturday, April 18, the Society of Women Engineers - Wichita Professional Section, will host the SWE Engineering Expo, a family fun event with 40+ activities for kids K-8th grade.
