MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State University’s College of Business Administration has selected seven startups to participate in the Center for Entrepreneurship Accelerator program, which provides funds, training and resources for early-stage companies to turn their concepts into successful ventures.
The selected businesses will participate in a virtual eight-week program, including faculty-led workshops, support from hands-on student research teams, access to the university’s world-class alumni mentor network and equity-free funding for completing the program.
“The K-State Accelerator program is a key component of how the college contributes to economic development in Kansas,” said Kevin Gwinner, Edgerley family dean of the College of Business Administration. “By taking high-potential businesses and helping them start or scale to be successful, we are contributing to growing the Kansas economy. We are very excited to support entrepreneurs through this innovative and impactful program that aligns well with K-State’s land-grant mission.”
Criteria for selection in the program included identifying a real problem and an innovative solution, demonstrating the drive to succeed and the ability to incorporate feedback, and showing commitment to the business and the Accelerator program.
The following startups were selected for the 2025 program:
4D Leaders: Jim Huber and Jason Holzer, Olathe — Transforming youth sports by equipping coaches, parents, and athletes to work together in developing leadership, resilience, and life skills.
Big Hands: Darian Massey, Manhattan — A business that does all the little things from mowing to remodeling.
Custom Nano: Amie Norton, Manhattan — Builds smart sensors and nanotechnology to assist in delivering herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides utilizing recycled agriculture and food waste.
dScribe AI: Jordan Mryyan, Cole Robertson and Warren Wang, Overland Park — Turns rich media content into LLM-ready data.
Hunt Family Candy Co: Eric Hunt, Clay Center — A candy maker boasting a unique flavor of handmade caramels made in small batches to ensure consistent high quality.
Pink Skies Boutique: Jenna Curry, Iola — A boutique founded in faith and a love for pink skies.
Rebound Jerseys: Aidan Scurato, Mission Hills — The only marketplace dedicated to authenticated sports jerseys.
The Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship focuses on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset — equipping students with essential skills for success in any career, whether launching a business or innovating within an existing organization. The center is in Room 1056 of the Business Building and serves as a dedicated space for studying and coworking. Students can pursue an entrepreneurship and innovation major, a 15-credit-hour minor or take individual courses to develop their entrepreneurial skills.
