Author: Zeeshan Khan

Wichita State faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend the kickoff of the ACCEL-KS @ Groover Labs Proof-of-Concept Grant Program at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5 at Groover Labs, 334 N St Francis.

Funded by the Kansas Department of Commerce, this program accelerates innovation across Kansas by providing early-stage founders with up to $25,000 in funding, mentorship, educational programming, prototyping capabilities and community support to help bring ideas to market. Featured speakers include Romaine Redman, chief innovation and strategy officer, and Brandon Hutton, director of innovation and programming, with the Kansas Department of Commerce. The event is a valuable opportunity to connect with state and community leaders who are supporting the next wave of Kansas innovation.

If you are interested or plan to apply, contact Zeeshan Khan with the Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization for support at zeeshan.khan@idp.wichita.edu.

Students are invited to take part in the Student Practical Architecting Challenge (SPARC) hosted by WSU innovation partner, FirePoint Innovations.

The challenge is divided in three progressive phases spanning the course of nine months. First and second place teams will compete for financial awards, with first place winning $29,500, and will have access to networking and educational opportunities with government and industry experts.

Each team needs one faculty advisor.

Using dedicated campus and/or small business resources, members will collaborate internally to produce a software product.

Teams must register by Dec. 16.

Students and staff can win up to $300 when they sign up to compete in the Technology Mashup Challenge, which will be held on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3.

For the challenge, teams will select a technology from our Matchmaking Program and  create a presentation for a new product or use of service.

Any major or professional background is welcome and encouraged to sign up. This is a great opportunity to network with the Wichita entrepreneur community and the judges, who will be coming from a local venture capital firm and start-up accelerator.