Tech startup competition in Wichita similar to ‘Shark Tank’ will award bank contracts

A business startup competition in Wichita this week will end with technology companies winning contracts with banks.

The NXTSTAGE Pilot Competition will have a virtual Innovation Showcase on Thursday featuring guest speakers Chase Koch, president of Koch Disruptive Technologies, and Steve Case, CEO of Revolution LLC.

“During this pitch showcase, similar to ABC’s Shark Tank, viewers will get an insider’s look at the next big ideas coming to Wichita,” organizers said in a news release. “At the end of the event, winners from among these 11 promising young tech companies – chosen from among global applicants – will be awarded contracts with Emprise Bank, Fidelity Bank and INTRUST Bank to put their financial services innovations into action.”

The 11 finalists include three Kansas-based companies: SimBlox in Wichita, Griffin in Overland Park and Bellwethr in Wamego.

A broadcast of the 4 p.m. Thursday showcase will be available on the NXTSTAGE YouTube channel.