Get ready for one of the most anticipated events of Launch Week, the Pitch Competition! This high-energy showcase brings together some of the region’s most innovative startups as they pitch their big ideas to a panel of judges and a room full of investors, ecosystem partners, and thought leaders.

Following Startup Grind’s conversation on how meaningful deals can and do happen right here in the Midwest, Accelerate Venture Partners will host a special Investor Pitch Experience. This session will not only showcase the investable opportunities that exist in our region but also give attendees a behind-the-scenes look at how early-stage deals take shape.

Join us over the lunch hour at Launch Week with a Startup Grind Fireside Chat featuring two leading voices in venture capital, Landon Campbell with Drive Capital and Liam Reilly with KC Rise.

Before the pitches begin, the day kicks off with the Launch Week Business Expo, where selected startups showcase their solutions to attendees. With so many unique and innovative businesses from across Kansas, the Expo is a chance to discover fresh ideas, meet local founders, and see creativity in action.

Come celebrate startups, founders and entrepreneurs with the 4th Annual STARTUP MASHUP MEETUP event hosted by WIBA! This high energy Launch Week celebration features a DJ, an open bar, tastings, hors d’oeuvres and an opportunity to connect with business owners, community leaders and other entrepreneurs.

Discover the ActionCOACH 5 Ways, a globally recognized framework that pinpoints the five profit drivers every business must understand to grow.

Attendees will get insights into the financing options available to Kansas entrepreneurs, including the GrowKS Equity Program. We will explore how Kansas programs support startups by attracting private capital and promoting economic growth.

Want to know what really drives you—and your team? Coach Lee Gray is a successful serial entrepreneur who has made it her mission to help entrepreneurs and their teams discover their DISC style and key motivators.

Ever wanted insider marketing tips for your business? Join digital marketing strategist Ti’Juana Hardwell of Mamarazzi Communications, LLC for a lunch-hour Pick My Brain session. 

Kansas is investing in its entrepreneurs like never before. Join leaders from the Kansas Office of Innovation at the Kansas Department of Commerce to explore the powerful programs helping founders and investors turn ideas into thriving businesses.

Hey high schoolers! Want to get a behind-the-scenes look at running a business and pick up skills you can actually use? Youth Day is your chance!

Join us for a morning of caffeine and community as entrepreneurs present their ideas and sharpen their elevator pitches. It’s a great opportunity to explore unique business concepts, connect with fellow innovators, and see how 1MC comes together to support local businesses.

The FIFA World Cup™ is coming to Kansas City in 2026, and Wichita-area businesses have a chance to get in the game. Kansas City will be one of just 16 host cities in North America, welcoming more than 650,000 visitors from across the globe. The influx of fans, families, and media professionals will bring unprecedented demand for food, lodging, retail, cultural experiences, and services.

For many small businesses, access to capital is the difference between growth and stagnation. Yet navigating the lending process, preparing the right documents, and demonstrating financial readiness can feel overwhelming.

The contracting world can be complex—but it’s also full of opportunity for those who know how to play the game. This panel brings together entrepreneurs who actively bid on contracts and organizations that receive them, offering real-world insight into navigating proposals, building strong relationships, and securing wins.

From kitchen hustle to business strategy, this panel dives into the real journey of food entrepreneurs. Hear from industry experts and local tastemakers as they share the recipe for turning passion into profit.

The Garages, a retail incubator program, is on the hunt for bold, innovative businesses that challenge traditional models and bring fresh energy to the retail scene. The strongest candidates will showcase exceptional design, dynamic customer experiences, and offerings that stand out in today’s market.

In this session, Shawn Bauman of Driven Tax Strategies will help early-stage entrepreneurs move from chaos to clarity with their finances. You’ll learn how to choose and manage a bookkeeping system, prepare for tax filings with confidence, and avoid costly penalties.

“Everything I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Entrepreneur” is an honest conversation with entrepreneurs who’ve been there.

Celebrate the official start of Launch Week at the NXTSTAGE Startup-Enterprise Summit! NXTUS, entrepreneurs, enterprises, and community leaders will come together to recognize 20 early-stage startups completing the Enterprise Engagement Series.

Kick off Launch Week with CapFed Connect, a networking happy hour hosted by NXTUS and Capitol Federal! Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, community leaders, and supporters over drinks and snacks while taking part in interactive activities designed to spark conversation.

Be part of the conversation shaping the future of Wichita's biomedical sector. This session will explore how our region can build a connected ecosystem that drives innovation, commercialization, and startup growth around the new BioMed campus.

This is your chance to meet the organizations that help Wichita small businesses start and grow. Join us for this unique, no pressure opportunity to learn how these organizations may be able to help you!

Kick off the week with Launch Week organizers, partners, and Robert Feeney, Chief Vision Officer at Knowledge as a Service (KaaS), as he delivers “How Not to Fail”—an inspiring talk on navigating challenges, learning from missteps, and building lasting success.