Plug and Play Expo
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – In collaboration with Go Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership graduated 14 startup companies from it’s accelerator program on Thursday.
The global innovation platform connects startups with resources, like corporate partners, to help startups succeed. The program offers tips, training, and mentorship.
“What we’re what we do here is we’re really trying to connect to the innovation ecosystem,” says Stephanie Moran, Senior Vice-President of Innovation for GoTopeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership. “And by that we mean, what are those resources that really help innovators and entrepreneurs stand up their businesses.”
Startup companies face any number of challenges when trying to get started. According to LendingTree, 24.5% of small businesses in Kansas fail within the first year but Plug and Play offers solutions to many of those problems.
Lindsay Lebahn, Program and Partner Success personnel for Plug and Play Topeka, explained the type of resources and tools they offer startups in their program.
“We do everything from legal help, to regulatory demands, and how they can break into the United States.”
These startups offer innovation to some of Kansas’ biggest industries like health science and agriculture.
“We have a lot of strong startups in animal health and ag tech, and this accelerator program,” said Moran. “Technologies anywhere from alternative proteins, to new spray technologies for crops, to forming technologies for managing livestock and regenerative farming”
