Photos: Innovation Exchange returns with Top KC Startups to Watch celebration
February 28, 2018 | Startland Staff
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!
Featured Business

2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Charlie Hustle returning to founder’s vintage Jayhawk roots with Lawrence shop
A new retail space in Lawrence will be a homecoming of sorts for Chase McAnulty — taking Charlie Hustle back to the college city where he first wove his passion for vintage threads into a business. “It’s huge for me personally because it’s kind of come full circle,” the founder, owner and CEO said. Overlooking…
The Neighbrohood aims to build an entrepreneur network for KC men, leader says
Sunday’s debut public event from The Neighbrohood is about generating fellowship and conversation among young professionals, entrepreneurs and any other men working to make Kansas City thrive, Patrick Green said. “Our vision in that is to see Neighbrohood as a place for brotherhood, and our mission is to be change agents that strengthen men through…
UMKC entrepreneur competition ups prize money to $75K
For the second consecutive year, the University of Missouri-Kansas City has boosted prize money for its premier entrepreneurial competition. Eligible student teams will now vie for $75,000 in total awards through the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge Competition and new Blue KC Healthcare Innovation Prize. “The Regnier Venture Creation Challenge has become one of the signature…
KC designers: Send us your anti-gun violence messages, we’ll make the protest signs
Young people marching Saturday as part of nationwide anti-gun violence demonstrations deserve for their messages to be seen and heard, said Spencer Branham. Solid, impactful design will help, he added. Members of AIGA KC, a professional organization for Kansas City graphic designers, are now accepting submissions ahead of Saturday’s March For Our Lives events, said…










































































