Episode 37 : Big Ideas, Midwest Energy

Send us Fan Mail🍷 Episode SummaryWhat if the next big idea didn’t come from Silicon Valley… but from right here in Wichita?In this episode, we sit down with Tracy Hoover, founder of Groover Labs, to talk about what it really takes to build something from the ground up and why you might not have to leave home to do it. From her background in big tech to creating a space where founders, developers, and creatives can collide and collaborate, Tracy shares how Groover Labs is helping shape the future of innovation in Kansas.We explore the realities of entrepreneurship, the power of being surrounded by other builders, and the idea that sometimes what a city needs most isn’t more talent… it’s a place for that talent to come together.Because big ideas? They’re not limited by geography. They’re just waiting for the right environment to grow.🥂 In This EpisodeTracy’s journey from Hewlett-Packard and startup leadership to founding Groover LabsThe moment she realized Wichita needed a physical hub for builders and foundersWhat Groover Labs actually is (and why it’s so much more than coworking)The role of space, tools, and proximity in accelerating ideasWhy startups don’t just need funding… they need structure and supportInside the ACCEL-KS program and how it’s helping founders across KansasReal examples of builders creating, prototyping, and refining ideas at GrooverThe truth about Midwest talent and why people are choosing to stayHow community fuels innovation in ways you can’t replicate alone💡 Key TakeawaysYou don’t have to leave to build something big. The narrative that success only exists on the coasts is shifting and Wichita is part of that story.Ideas need more than inspiration. They need infrastructure. Groover Labs exists to give founders a place to actually build, not just brainstorm.Funding helps, but guidance changes everything. Programs like ACCEL-KS show that mentorship, structure, and feedback can be just as valuable as capital.Community is the multiplier. There’s something powerful about being surrounded by people who are also in the messy, in-progress stage of building.🔥 Memorable MomentsThe realization that Wichita didn’t lack talent… it lacked a central place for that talent to connectFounders evolving from modifying products to creating original prototypesThe idea that even founders who didn’t receive funding still gained clarity and directionThe energy inside Groover Labs when multiple builders are working and collaborating at the same time🔗 Resources + LinksGroover Labs — learn more, explore membership, and get involvedACCEL-KS — supporting early-stage founders across Kansas🍷 Join the ConversationHave you ever felt like you had to leave your city to chase something bigger?Or have you seen something incredible being built right where you are?We’d love to hear your story. Come join the conversation with us.⭐️ If You Loved This Episode…Share it with a friend, tag us on social, or leave a review. It helps more people discover conversations like this one.And as always…So THIS Happened. 🍷✨Support the show