Wichita entrepreneurial organization NXTUS Inc. on Wednesday launched its 2023 startup competition for companies in financial technology, this year including a new, statewide partner on the program.
Applications are open now online, with submissions for the 2023 NXSTAGE Financial Technology Pilot Competition being accepted through April.
The contest helps connect budding entrepreneurs from across the country to financial institutions in Kansas that are looking for new ideas to help better serve customers.
The event, now in its fourth year, is backed by returning sponsors Emprise Bank and Intrust Bank — while the Kansas Bankers Association has joined them as a first-time premiere sponsor.
“We are very excited about the potential for NXSTAGE to bring cutting-edge financial technology solutions to community banks across Kansas,” KBA CEO Doug Wareham said in a press release. “KBA’s partnership with NXTUS reinforces the desire of Kansas banks to provide their customers with the safest, most efficient, and user-friendly technology tools available to meet the needs of Kansas consumers.”
The fintech competition in 2022 drew 94 competitors from 27 states and 13 countries. The eight finalist startups were featured at an innovation showcase last September where pilot projects with two of the companies were announced.
Matt Michaelis, CEO of Emprise Bank, said the competition marks another important opportunity for his institution to stay ahead of the technology curve.
“Innovation is accelerating all around us, and it’s invigorating to see Wichita play a key role in driving bank innovation through NXSTAGE,” he said. “Our teams are excited to engage with the newest cohort of finalists. Collaboration with startups like this is critical as we invest for the future. Their tools and capabilities are instrumental to our efforts to continually empower our customers by delivering more personalize and relevant experiences.”
And through the NXSTAGE contest, Intrust CEO Charlie Chandler said, the stage is set for more of the innovation that has helped defined the history of business in Wichita.
“Banking is constantly changing, and we have more competition than we’ve ever had,” Chandler said. “Innovation is part of our history as a community. We are proud to support that tradition as our region builds upon its reputation as a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can be successful in today’s ever-changing world.”
NXTUS has more on the contest available online.
The fintech competition’s third founding partner, alongside Emprise and Intrust, is Fidelity Bank — which continues its financial support of NXTUS.
The event is also supported by grant funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
