Gamechangers & Champions 2026 (Round of 32)
- Project application deadline
- Judge registration deadline
- Entry fee
- Free
Description
Description
Congratulations! You've advanced to the Round of 32 of Gamechangers & Champions!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
To compete in the Round of 32 of the competition, you must submit your materials no later than 8PM CT tomorrow (Wednesday, February 18). Updating your materials with new traction or information is encouraged but not required. You may also re-submit your existing pitch deck and elevator pitch, as a new panel of judges will review this round. If we do not receive a re-submission by the deadline, we will assume you have chosen to withdraw from the competition.
We understand that it is a short timeline, but it is paramount you meet the deadline.
Judging for this round will begin on Thursday, February 19.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
To compete in the Round of 32 of the competition, you must submit your materials no later than 8PM CT tomorrow (Wednesday, February 18). Updating your materials with new traction or information is encouraged but not required. You may also re-submit your existing pitch deck and elevator pitch, as a new panel of judges will review this round. If we do not receive a re-submission by the deadline, we will assume you have chosen to withdraw from the competition.
We understand that it is a short timeline, but it is paramount you meet the deadline.
Judging for this round will begin on Thursday, February 19.
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Gamechangers & Champions is a $25,000 statewide pitch competition, presented in partnership with KU Innovation Park and the Kansas Department of Commerce, designed to identify and elevate high-growth startups from across Kansas.
Gamechangers & Champions is a $25,000 statewide pitch competition, presented in partnership with KU Innovation Park and the Kansas Department of Commerce, designed to identify and elevate high-growth startups from across Kansas.
The competition combines structured virtual evaluation with a live, in-person championship event on March 10 at David Booth Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, bringing together founders, investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders.
1. How the Competition Works
- Startups advance through multiple rounds of review, beginning with a large virtual screening and progressing through increasingly competitive stages.
- Each round is evaluated by experienced judges using a standardized rubric focused on:
- Problem clarity
- Solution differentiation
- Traction and market validation
- Team strength and execution
- Market size and scalability
- The process is fair, signal-driven, emphasizing readiness and execution, not fundraising.
2. Competition Structure & Rounds
- Based on feedback from founders and judges in last year’s competition, each round of Gamechangers & Champions is run as a separate competition in VentureDash.
- This structure allows startups to:
- Update and improve materials between rounds
- Be evaluated based on their most current progress
- Experience & focused judging aligned to each stage
- Avoid being locked into early submissions as the competition advances
3. Live Championship Event – March 10
The competition culminates at the all-day live March 10 event in Lawrence, KS.
- The Innovative 8 are announced publicly and deliver one-minute pitches to all attendees
- Each Innovative 8 startup then participates in a structured pitch and live Q&A with a room of regional investors
- The Final 4 are selected and pitch live in front of the full audience
- Judges select and announce the Gamechangers & Champions Winner
5. Important Disclaimers
Participation does not constitute fundraising or solicitation of investment.
The goal is to provide founders with high-quality exposure and rigorous evaluation, while giving investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners visibility into the region’s strongest emerging companies.
- Founder Expectations
- Written feedback is not guaranteed in early rounds due to volume
- Later-stage teams may receive summary feedback when feasible
- Founders must meet all deadlines and submission requirements
- Professional conduct and accurate representation are required
- Confidentiality & Publicity
- Some rounds are confidential until officially announced
- Advancing teams agree to participate in media and promotional activity
- Founders are responsible for protecting proprietary information
- Scheduling & Availability
- Advancing teams must be available for required preparation and onsite participation on March 10
- Inability to attend required sessions may result in forfeiture
Questions related to the above please reach out to avpadmin@nxtus.io
Schedule and key dates
*Important Dates – Gamechangers & Champions 2026
Schedule and key dates
- Public Release – Round of 32: Wednesday, February 25
- Public Release – Breakout 16: Wednesday, March 4
- Private Release – Innovative 8: Week of March 2
- Live Event – Gamechangers & Champions Finals: Tuesday, March 10 @ David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium - Lawrence, Kansas
- Innovative 8 announced publicly
- Live investor pitch sessions
- Final 4 selected
- Gamechangers & Champions winner announced
Organized by
Alex DeDeckerDate & time
Address and location
—Components
Elevator Pitch
The Elevator Pitch is a short, recorded video pitch delivered by the founder tha...
Weight: 40%
Edit Elevator Pitch
Pitch Deck
The Pitch Deck is a concise visual presentation that communicates the core eleme...
Weight: 40%
Edit Pitch Deck
Judges Discretion / Advancement Conviction
Judges should consider market potential, team capability, traction relative to s...
Weight: 20%
Edit Judges Discretion / Advancement Conviction
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