Gamechangers & Champions - A Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels

Gamechangers and Champions 2025 is a high-energy, innovation-driven event that aligns with the excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in Wichita! This event is designed to unite startups, angel investors, and innovation stakeholders from across Kansas for a dynamic day of activation, networking, education, and competition. Presented by the Kansas Department of Commerce and NXTUS, this event will catalyze new angel investments, support early-stage startups, and strengthen Kansas’s innovation ecosystem.

Kicking off and concluding the day, all attendees will join together for combined workshop sessions, while the middle of the day features two breakout tracks—one for investors and one for startups. The Commerce Club will be open all day as the Business & Basketball Lounge, a home base for entrepreneurs and ecosystem supporters who aren’t participating in breakout sessions. At this spot, enjoy live broadcasts of NCAA tournament games, interactive activities like pop-a-shot, and networking!

The day will wrap up with a bracket-style prize pitch competition and a keynote from Kevin Lockett, Partner at Fulcrum Global Capital and former Kansas City Chiefs and K-State football player. Watch as the Final Four startups pitch live to judges and investors for a chance to win $20,000 in prize money, sponsored by the Barton School of Business. Applications for startups to apply to be a part of the competition are open until March 3rd.

View and complete the startup application online.