Key Dates

What to Expect Through the End of the Year

The ACCEL-KS proof-of-concept grant program is open for 2026-2027. Here's what to expect from now through the end of the year, whether you're applying or you've just been awarded a grant.

Application Process

August

August 14: Applications open. The application goes live at grooverlabs.org/accel-ks.

August 28: Info webinar. Learn what the grant funds, who should apply, and how to put together a strong application. Register at grooverlabs.org/accel-ks. We’ll post a video of the webinar afterward for those who cannot attend.

August 31, September 8, September 14, September 21: Office hours. Join us for virtual office hours, where members of the team (who are NOT on the Review Committee) will answer questions about your application. if we don’t know the answer to your question, we’ll find out and follow up after. No registration needed.

September

September 30: Applications close at 5 p.m. Central. Apply early. We will not accept late submissions.

Selection

October

October: We hold short virtual screening calls with eligible applicants, and then invite selected founders to present to our review committee. We keep you posted at each step.

October 29: Recipients announced. We announce the new cohort!

If you're awarded

November

November 12: Open House and Orientation. Meet the Groover Labs team, tour the space and the Maker Lab, meet our ecosystem partners, and get oriented to your grant year.

November: One-on-one consultations open. Book private sessions with expert consultants to work on your specific challenges.

November and December: Onboarding. We get you set up with your workspace or Maker Lab bench, if applicable, and confirm your company profile for our website and blog. You'll also receive details on the programs available to you, including the NXTUS Customer Traction Cohort, AVP’s Accessing Growth Capital, and more. They start in January.

In 2027

The grant year continues into 2027 with hands-on programming, including customer traction, manufacturing readiness, our CAMPFIRE startup course, and growth-capital sessions, along with a mid-program milestone and a close-out celebration in June. We'll share the full 2027 timeline before the new year.

Click HERE to subscribe to the official ACCEL-KS 2026-2027 calendar.

Dates change as partner programming develops, but we'll update you via email. Questions? Reach us at innovationkansas@grooverlabs.org.