Are you a budding entrepreneur in the Wichita area? Or maybe just want to get more involved in town and network, but you don’t know where to start?
Here is a list of several organizations in town to help you get started:
Event Based
Twice a year (Typically fall & spring):
Shift Conferences – Formerly named Disrupt ICT, Shift Conferences are held to bring people in disruptive technologies together to help move ideas forward. A few past Shift conferences have included a focus on Blockchain and a focus on Women in Tech. These are hosted at various venues around Wichita.
https://www.shiftconferences.co/
Monthly:
Startup Grind – Wichita – Startup Grind is “designed to educate, inspire and connect” entrepreneurs. There are branches of Startup Grind all over the globe. The Wichita branch offers a new speaker each month. These speakers are potentially more established in their career or venture than the speakers at 1 million cups. These are hosted at various venues around Wichita.
https://www.startupgrind.com/wichita/
Startup Grind U – Wichita State University – Startup Grind U is very similar to the regular Startup Grind, but with an emphasis on a university. This features current students and alumni, as well as influential people in the area and hosted/run by students. These events are typically hosted on WSU campus.
https://www.startupgrind.com/wichita-state-university/
Weekly – Wednesday Mornings:
1 million cups – 1 Million Cups is another nationwide initiative of which Wichita is fortunate to have a branch. The idea behind 1 Million cups is that “great ideas are discussed over a million cups of coffee”. Every Wednesday, entrepreneurs or business owners have 6 minutes to present their company or business idea. These businesses ranges from newly formed to 5 years in age. Following the 6 minute presentation, there will be 20 minutes of questions and feedback.
https://www.1millioncups.com/wichita
Community Based:
Connecting ICT – “Connecting ICT is a hub for committed area professionals to impact the growth of the Wichita region through Civic, Private, Community, and Personal connections and engagement.” This is a group of diverse people with a mission to network and move Wichita forward in all aspects. Connecting ICT is a great group to get involved with if you want to make a real impact.
https://www.connectingict.com/
W (formerly YPW) – W, formerly known as Young Professionals of Wichita is a community for young professionals here in the ICT. This is a great group for networking and improving your leadership skills.
Accelerators / Development Opportunties
e2e – e2e helps entrepreneurs get their startup off the ground and serves as “a catalyst for the Wichita startup ecosystem”. E2E is an accelerator for Wichita.
E-Launch – The E-Launch program is through Wichita State University. This program helps take you from just an idea to launch. This takes place over 6 weeks, once a week. There is a cost and details can be found at the below link, but this is a great option to propel your business.
https://www.wichita.edu/academics/business/entrepreneurship/E_Launch.php
Launch Prep – Launchprep is a partnership between the WSU Center for Entrepreneurship and the E2E accelerator. This is a 3 month program and is for early stage companies (operating 1 to 3 years at a minimum).
https://www.launchprepict.com/
Kansas SBDC – Kansas Small Business Development Center – This one is pretty straight forward. If you have a small business, go check out the SBDC and help move it in the right direction.
https://www.wichita.edu/research/ksbdc/index.php
WSU Ventures – The objectives of the WSU Ventures initiative is to transform ideas into reality. It helps you protect your IP.
https://wichita.edu/services/wsuventures/
Wichita SCORE – Founded in 1976, the Wichita Chapter of SCORE helps mentor start-ups and existing small businesses.
Midwest Venture Alliance – This is a group of accredited private investors who provide opportunities to quality and qualified entrepreneurs.
http://www.midwestventure.com/
Wichita Technology Corporation – This is a not-for-profit corporation who provides capital to help your company grow.
http://www.wichitatechnology.com/
Tech specific:
Flagshipkansas.tech – Flagship Kansas helpsraise awareness, grow the workforce in Kansas and help push innovation.
Dev ICT – DevICT have a common goal to “be better at what they do”. This is a group to get involved with if you’re interested in software development.
Co-working spaces:
The Hive – The Hive is more than just a co-working space. It is one of the most empowering women groups here in Wichita.
The Labor Party – This co-working space is located down in the Old Town District.
Current start-ups in Wichita:
This could be a very extensive list, but a few start-ups are listed before. If you want to understand how to get started, all of these founders and co-founders are great resources and some of the nicest people I’ve met.
Quicc – https://www.quicc.io/
Lawn Buddy – https://lawnbuddy.com/
Buddy Brands – https://www.buddybrands.pet/
2U Auto – https://www.2uauto.com/
King Fit – https://kingfit.io/
