Photos: Innovation Exchange returns with Top KC Startups to Watch celebration

February 28, 2018  |  Startland Staff

IXKC TSW 2018 (28 of 76)

So … What’s your spirit animal?

Eleven startup founders and leaders joined Startland News and the Kansas City Startup Foundation on stage Tuesday for a rebooted Innovation Exchange experience — complete with casual conversation, jazz and few unexpected queries.

Saluting the Top Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2018, the rapid-fire, Q&A-style event showcased the innovative ideas behind the firms Startland thinks will be the year’s biggest newsmakers. Among the honorees were Plexpod, PayIt, Bardavon, Rx Savings Solutions, Swell Spark, Mycroft, Super Dispatch, Made in KC, RFP365, Ruby Jean’s Juicery, and Cambrian.

Plexpod’s Westport Commons coworking community literally set the stage for Innovation Exchange, with Startland and KCSF also tapping top startups Ruby Jean’s Juicery for food and drinks for about 175 guests, and Swell Spark for commemorative plaques for the honorees.

Huge thanks to our sponsors of the Innovation Exchange, including the Brain Family, NBKC, Polsinelli, GXP Investments, Plexpod and Think Big Partners.

Watch for details on the next Innovation Exchange, coming in March! In the meantime, enjoy photos from Tuesday’s event below.

Cheers!

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2018 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    Scott Leigh, Tom Jantsch, Heather Decker and A.J. Mellott, Ronawk

    Ronawk accelerates its growth with exec hires, creation of expansive ‘Bio-Block Universe’

    By Tommy Felts | January 21, 2022

    Synergy and chemistry are just as important as expertise when hiring strategic, high-level positions within a startup, said A.J. Mellott. “Ronawk has gone from this startup with its organized chaos, to having structured pathways that have emerged because we are better informed. That in itself has been really exciting and stimulating. We are more of…

    WATCH: Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2022

    By Tommy Felts | January 20, 2022

       This broadcast features Startland News reporters in conversation with the founders who lead the Startups to Watch companies showcased in the publication’s 10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2022 list and explore ways in which they’re disrupting industries in Kansas City and beyond. Use #KCSTW22 to interact with other viewers on social media. Click…

    Raven Book Store ownership group, front row: Nikita Imafidon, Mary Wahlmeier Bracciano, Jack Hawthorn, Danny Caine; back row: Kelly Barth, Hannah Reidell, Chris Luxem, Sarah Young.; photo by Adam Smith

    A radical new chapter: Why Danny Caine gave up 49 percent of his business to form an employee ownership collective

    By Tommy Felts | January 20, 2022

    Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. LAWRENCE…

    Graham Krizek, Voltage

    Voltage charges ahead with $6M seed round in quest to ‘fast-track a Bitcoin standard’

    By Tommy Felts | January 20, 2022

    Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. WICHITA…