ACCEL-KS Grant Guidelines

Introduction

The ACCEL-KS at Groover Labs grant program helps Kansas innovators transform ideas from concept to commercialization. Awards provide early funding, mentorship, and access to resources that help founders test, validate, and launch scalable products.

Prefer video? Jump to the webinar recording.

Grant Awards

  • Award Size: Up to $25,000 total, typically distributed in milestone-based tranches.

  • Purpose: Funding supports prototyping, technical validation, and early commercialization.

  • Programming Support: Grantees gain access to Groover Labs programs like the CAMPFIRE course, Maker Labs hardware prototyping, mentorship, and statewide partner networks.

  • Rural Grants: Rural partners may award up to $5,000 for early-stage prototyping. Rural grantees may then apply for additional funds, up to $25,000 total.

Eligibility

The primary applicant must be a Kansas resident.

Eligible applicants include:

  • Early-stage startups and entrepreneurs with scalable product ideas or prototypes, software or hardware.

  • Innovators and researchers seeking commercialization pathways.

Not Eligible

  • Retail, storefront, consulting, or service-oriented businesses without technical component.

  • Projects that rely on off-the-shelf tools (e.g., Shopify) without proprietary software

rural participation

ACCEL-KS at Groover Labs is a statewide program designed to reach founders across Kansas, including those in rural communities.

  • Rural Partner Grants: To leverage existing local networks in rural counties, Groover Labs has partnered with several regional economic development organizations to offer awards of $5,000 to support early-stage prototyping. Applicants will apply through their local partner organization.

  • Path to Full Awards: Rural grantees who validate their idea can apply for additional funds through innovationkansas.org, up to $25,000 total.

  • Full Awards: Rural applicants ready to pursue larger projects may also apply directly at innovationkansas.org.

  • Rural Access: Our programming is available virtually, and hardware track grantees may receive on-site visits along with virtual coaching sessions to support prototype development.

  • Interested in being a rural partner? Contact us here.

Application Process

Deadlines

  • Round 1: Closes September 30, 2025, at 5 p.m. (decisions announced by October 30).

  • Round 2: Closes November 14, 2025 (pending funds).

  • Round 3: Closes January 15, 2026 (pending funds).

Reapplying: Applicants not selected in earlier rounds may reapply with revisions.

Review Process

  • Screening Call: Groover Labs staff hold a 20-minute call with eligible applicants to confirm fit, scope, and founder availability.

  • Applicants who meet eligibility will be forwarded to the Review Committee.

  • The Review Committee will evaluate applications on problem significance, technical feasibility, commercialization projects, team readiness, and overall merit.

  • All applicants forwarded to the Review Committee will then present their project over Zoom to the Committee. Awards are based on Committee scores and discussion.

  • Committee Decision: Awards may be full or partial (e.g., $15,000 of a $25,000 request).

Conflicts of interest are disclosed; reviewers recuse themselves from the process if necessary.

Funding and Use of Funds

  • Funds are released in milestone-based tranches.

  • $25,000 requests may be considered with strong justification.

  • Changes to milestones or budgets must be requested in writing and approved by the Review Committee.

  • Funds may not be used for salary or stipends.

  • Grant funds may be combined with other income sources (personal, investor, other grants).

Programming Components

  • Maker Labs: Hardware grantees receive a bench membership with supervised access to tools and equipment.

  • Campfire: All awardees may attend Campfire programming; while it is encouraged, it is not required.

  • Hotseat area: Software grantees receive hotseat memberships.

Timeline and Use of funds

  • Projects must be finished by June 30, 2026.

FAQ

IF I LIVE IN A RURAL COUNTY BUT WORK IN WICHITA, AM I CONSIDERED RURAL?

Yes. Rural status is based on your home address, not your work address.

WHO IS ON THE REVIEW COMMITTEE?

We’re keeping those names private, but we selected a team with a broad range of startup experience, including an experienced Angel Investor, a wide-ranging and influential technologist, a senior software developer at a multi-billion dollar technology company, an intellectual property and commercialization expert, a hardware expert, and an accomplished tech founder. If your application is selected to present, we will provide you with information about the reviewers.

IF I ALREADY HAVE A MANUFACTURER, DOES THAT AFFECT MY ELIGIBILITY?

Already having a manufacturer means you’re well on your way. We and our network can help with design iterations, product validation, or other paths to commercialization.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE “NON-TECH-INFUSED”? WHAT IF MY RETAIL IDEA USES CUSTOM SOFTWARE? WHAT IF MY STOREFRONT USES AN ECOMMERCE SOLUTION?

Non-tech-infused means there is no new technology being developed or proven out. For example, a basic retail or storefront wouldn’t qualify. But if your project involves proprietary technology, or you are building a technical prototype, you may be eligible.

WHY DON’T YOU award THE $25,000 UPFRONT?

The grant is milestone-based to reduce risk. Also, the grant to Groover Labs is being released in tranches, so we can’t release all of the funds at once to grantees.

IF MY PROJECT RUNS INTO PROBLEMS, CAN I CHANGE MY MILESTONES?

Yes. If you encounter problems or roadblocks, you can change your milestones and/or budget. Contact the Groover Labs team as soon as possible so we can ensure the change aligns with the mission.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I KNOW SOMEONE ON THE REVIEW COMMITTEE? IS THERE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST?

Wichita is a small pond, and reviewers will disclose their relationships to founders during the discussion. Conflicts are determined if the reviewer or an organization the reviewer is directly connected to would financially benefit from the application or if the reviewer is a relative, employee, or board member of the applicant.

IF I’M AWARDED $25,000 BUT DON’T USE ALL THE FUNDS, WHAT HAPPENS?

We will consult with the Kansas Department of Commerce for guidance.

WHY IS THE RURAL AWARD ONLY $5,000, WHEN THE MAIN PROGRAM GOES UP TO $25,000?

In our ACCEL-KS grant application, Groover Labs elected to allocate funds that would be awarded by rural partners. These grants allow for rural founders to do some initial analysis or prototyping in order to decide if it makes sense to pursue an idea. These founders may then apply through the regular process for additional funding to pursue the idea further, up to a total of $25,000.

webinar recording

On August 27, the Groover Labs team hosted a webinar on the ACCEL-KS at Groover Labs grant application process, followed by a live Q&A. The full recording is embedded below.