Announcing the ACCEL-KS Award Recipients
Wichita, Kan. – Nov. 16, 2025 – Groover Labs today announces the recipients of ACCEL-KS Proof-of-Concept (POC) grant funding, part of a Kansas Department of Commerce initiative administered by Groover Labs to help founders transform early-stage ideas into commercially viable products and companies. The Department of Commerce awarded two PoC grants to Groover Labs and KU Innovation Park in Lawrence as part of its effort to build a connected, statewide innovation network. More than 50 applications were submitted to the Groover Labs grant program from across Kansas, representing a broad range of industries.
About the ACCEL-KS Program
ACCEL-KS provides grant funding, technical assistance, and ecosystem support to entrepreneurs developing scalable products and technologies. The 2025-26 awardees represent both software and hardware innovation across Kansas, with more than 30% of projects based in rural communities.
Awardees will receive between $5,000 and $25,000 in proof-of-concept grant funding, distributed in milestone-based tranches as founders develop product prototypes, test markets, validate demand, and advance toward commercialization. Beyond funding, awardees gain access to customized resources and mentorship through Groover Labs and its statewide partner network, ranging from prototyping facilities and technical support to business programming and professional guidance.
Groover Labs’ grant application to the Kansas Department of Commerce included a rural grant component designed to work with economic development organizations in rural counties to identify founders and support their projects. More than $26,000 has been reserved for rural partners, and those applications are still open. Email innovationkansas@grooverlabs.org to connect with our rural partners.
Expanding Access for All Applicants
All applicants will receive access to the ACCEL-KS Ecosystem Support Package, a suite of wraparound consulting and programming services offered by program partners from across the state, including the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Kansas, Kansas State University Technology Development Institute, Mindscapes Inc., Network Kansas, NXTUS, Software Engineer Seth Etter, Wichita State University College of Engineering Project Innovation Hub, and Wichita State University Office of Tech Transfer and Commercialization. The Groover Labs team created this offering after being inspired by the number of new entrepreneurs who applied to the proof-of-concept grant program.
The goal is to ensure that every applicant, whether they received grant funding or not, has a path to connect, learn, and grow. This is an uncommon approach for a competitive grant program, and one that requires substantial coordination among Groover Labs and its ecosystem partners.
“The mission of Groover Labs and the purpose of the ACCEL-KS POC program come from the same place–a desire to help Kansas founders transform big ideas into scalable technologies,” said Groover Labs Co-founder Tracy Hoover. “We’re proud to see such a wide range of entrepreneurs represented, and we’re grateful to all of our hardworking partners who have offered their time and expertise to make this statewide collaboration possible.”
To receive updates about the progress of grant awardees, subscribe to the Groover Labs newsletter here.
Upcoming Open House
The award recipients, along with other ACCEL-KS applicants and program partners, will be recognized at a public open house event on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Groover Labs in Wichita. The event will highlight funded projects, connect founders with ecosystem partners, and showcase how the ACCEL-KS program continues to strengthen the Kansas innovation economy.
Award Recipients
Brad Zwick Innovation - Designing modular in-field reusable crop storage and logistics systems
Chasing Squirrels - Creating improved mouthguards for athletes
Chatterbox Studios - Building an adaptive, conversational language-learning platform
Covalent Construction Solutions - Creating AI-driven digital preconstruction tools
Deltawerx - Deploying ultra-compact, auto-expanding weartec drones: instantly airborne for military and civilian use
Endure Robotics - Creating electronic wagons for industrial job sites and airports
Freeman Constructs - Building efficient AI-training technology
George Consulting and Engineering - Modernizing manufacturing with industrial IoT, automation, and cybersecurity
Grace Heritage Farms - Developing virtual fencing for regenerative goat grazing
Helten Panacea (Handy Hook) - Designing tools for firefighters and industrial users
ILIOS Aerospace - Developing light sport aircraft under the FAA’s Part 22 MOSAIC Rule
Lucille Group - Developing an AI-driven inventory platform
MLNavigator - Freeing your data from third-party AI dependency
Planetary Talent - Developing a story-driven AI platform for rapid hiring across the planet
Proactive Ballistic Systems - Building proactive technology engineered to enhance any safe room
Promax Freight - Accelerating freight workflows with intelligent automation
Tacit Technologies - Detecting wind-turbine failures for an aging U.S. wind fleet
Toadworx - Developing an IR night vision aiming device
Winnovations - Developing fiber optic lures for smarter fishing
About Groover Labs
Groover Labs is a nonprofit innovation hub located in Wichita, Kansas, providing coworking, prototyping, and resources for entrepreneurs, founders, remote workers, freelancers, and more. Through programs like ACCEL-KS, CAMPFIRE, and the Maker Labs, Groover Labs helps founders and innovators build, test, and launch news ideas.
