Calendar of events
AVP Monthly Pitch Meeting - February
Hear shark tank style pitches from two startups around the Heartland.
February Future Funders
Future Funders is a new initiative designed to equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge, exposure, and network to confidently engage in investing and ownership.
Participants will gain insight into the investment and purchasing processes, build meaningful relationships with experienced investors and peers, and learn how to identify and support promising early-stage companies.
Gamechangers & Champions 2026
A high-energy event uniting Kansas startups, investors, and innovators for a day filled with networking, education, and a pitch competition!
AVP Monthly Pitch Meeting - April
Hear shark tank style pitches from two startups around the Heartland.
April Future Funders
Future Funders is a new initiative designed to equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge, exposure, and network to confidently engage in investing and ownership.
Participants will gain insight into the investment and purchasing processes, build meaningful relationships with experienced investors and peers, and learn how to identify and support promising early-stage companies.
AVP Monthly Pitch Meeting - May
Hear shark tank style pitches from two startups around the Heartland.
May Future Funders
Future Funders is a new initiative designed to equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge, exposure, and network to confidently engage in investing and ownership.
Participants will gain insight into the investment and purchasing processes, build meaningful relationships with experienced investors and peers, and learn how to identify and support promising early-stage companies.
AVP Monthly Pitch Meeting - June
Hear shark tank style pitches from two startups around the Heartland.
June Future Funders
Future Funders is a new initiative designed to equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge, exposure, and network to confidently engage in investing and ownership.
Participants will gain insight into the investment and purchasing processes, build meaningful relationships with experienced investors and peers, and learn how to identify and support promising early-stage companies.
January Future Funders (Mark Soucie)
Mark Soucie is the President and Owner of Ferroloy, Inc., a Wichita-based manufacturing company specializing in iron casting and precision machining. After nearly two decades in senior finance and operating leadership roles at Koch Industries, Mark transitioned from corporate executive to business owner by acquiring Ferroloy in 2017. Since then, he has led the company’s growth, operational modernization, and diversification into new markets.
Mark brings a practical perspective on entrepreneurship through acquisition, private company ownership, and long-term value creation in real assets. He holds a degree in accounting from Kansas State University, is a CPA, and remains active in community and philanthropic leadership. Mark enjoys mentoring emerging leaders and sharing lessons learned from moving from corporate leadership into ownership and investing.
*Future Funders is a new initiative designed to equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge, exposure, and network to confidently engage in investing and ownership.
Participants will gain insight into the investment and purchasing processes, build meaningful relationships with experienced investors and peers, and learn how to identify and support promising early-stage companies.*
AVP Monthly Pitch Meeting - December
Hear Portfolio Updates and New Asset-Backed Deal Pitch.
Gamechangers and Champions 2025: A Bracket Bash For Innovators and Angels
A high-energy event uniting Kansas startups, investors, and innovators for a day filled with networking, education, and a pitch competition!
AVP Monthly Pitch – February 20, 2025
Hear Shark Tank style pitches from two startups around the Heartland!
Bridging The Gap
A focus on inclusive investment, addressing the underrepresentation of women and people of color in venture capital.
Engaging panel discussions, founder pitches, and actionable strategies to increase diversity in early-stage investing.
Investing, Tasting, and Racing
A hands-on experience in ag-tech investing with robot racing, networking, and drinks.
Discover early-stage investment opportunities and connect with industry innovators.
Breaking Down The Pitch, Play By Play
A deep dive into evaluating startup pitches with expert insights from Scott Flucke (Highmount Capital), Trish Brasted (Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures), and Josh Oeding (Tenzing Capital).
Interactive investor education session followed by an optional networking happy hour (5:00 – 6:30 PM).