Startup Crawl is back June 9: Get your passport to KC bands, businesses, beverages
May 30, 2023 | Startland News Staff
More than 50 startups and a quartet of local bands and performers will headline the June 9 return of Startup Crawl — and it’s a pretty sweet symphony, teased event organizers.
“It’s been almost four years since we’ve been able to host our community in this way,” said Austin Barnes, executive editor of Startland News and lead organizer of the once-annual, innovation-focused, crawl-style event hosted by the nonprofit publication.
Startup Crawl attendees gather at a rooftop stop during the 2019 innovation showcase; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Startup Crawl was put on an indefinite, pandemic pause following its 2019 showing in the Crossroads Arts District where nearly 1,000 guests gathered to explore Kansas City’s culture of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Barnes expects just as many — if not more — will do so again this year as the event moves to the Kansas City Power & Light District where it will host 55 local companies and four local bands.
Click here to register for Startup Crawl — completely free.
“Response to our rebooted version of Startup Crawl has been overwhelmingly positive. This event is a massive undertaking and to be honest, we didn’t know what to expect,” he explained, noting that with nearly four years between events, past attendees could easily stay home.
“They’ve shown us they don’t plan to,” Barnes continued. “Ticket sales are some of the healthiest in our history and we’re eager to see who finds us on event day. The way this event engages the public and captures the attention of curious Kansas Citians is one of its greatest benefits to entrepreneurs.”
Guests of the crawl will make their way through four venues — starting at Spark Coworking and traveling to additional crawl stops at PNC Plaza, H&R Block World Headquarters, and Blade & Timber.
A post-crawl experience, hosted at Sinker’s Lounge, will be accessible only to VIP event participants after they’ve traveled the full Startup Crawl route.
Click here to purchase a VIP event pass, which includes access to live music, drinks, treats, swag bags, a limited-edition 2023 Startup Crawl t-shirt, and other perks. VIP tickets are available only through Thursday, June 8.
From startup mainstays that include Healium, Homebase, and Ruby Jean’s Juicery to such newer ventures as Go Bananas A.I., Mpruv Sports, and Foresight, entrepreneurs and resource providers will fill each crawl stop with homegrown innovation and entrepreneurship success.
When local musicians take the stage at each venue, they’ll highlight the intersection between entrepreneurship and the arts — they’ll also up the cool factor of the event, Barnes added.
Featured acts set to perform during Startup Crawl include Konrad Hell and the Highwater, Cease and Desist, Jass Couch, and Nicholas Guess. Each group or artist is expected to play at Spark Coworking, PNC Plaza, Blade & Timber, and Sinker’s Lounge from 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
“One of the stand out things about our lineup this year is the way many of our acts are also involved in entrepreneurship efforts across the city,” Barnes explained, noting some featured performers are also startup founders or work for area small businesses.
“We’re excited to provide an outlet where some of them can show their peers and investors who they are creatively and others can showcase their talents to a larger audience.”
Startup Crawl is made possible by presenting sponsor Husch Blackwell and supporting sponsors at Block Advisors by H&R Block, Spark Coworking, and Swell Spark.
Additional support for the event comes from UncommonGood, Saile, PNC Plaza, the Kansas City Power & Light District, KC BizCare, Social Apex Media, Vibration Nation, and Crux.
Interested in becoming a Startland News sponsor or underwriter? Click here for details.
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
PHKC planning to open its retail incubator in mid-May; here’s a first look inside the east side space
A new space for entrepreneurs to test-run their retail businesses is envisioned as a 12- to 16-month stepping stone to their own permanent storefronts or locations, said Dan Smith, and the resource could be open as soon as this spring. “We’re preparing entrepreneurs to open their own brick and mortars on the east side,” said…
Chingu founders, Mean Mule partner for KC’s first soju — a Korean nod to vodka, distilled with culture
Serial foodpreneurs Keeyoung Kim and David Son are launching the Midwest’s first locally distilled premium soju — a pays homage to the traditions of soju, but embraces a new era of cocktail culture. Through a partnership with Mean Mule Distilling Co., the first release of Chingu Soju will be just 15-20 cases of the product. …
WeCode KC, high school partner to launch cybersecurity program for students
A new program from an expanding Kansas City nonprofit plans to expose high school students to job readiness and life skills that prepare them for careers in cybersecurity, right out of high school. WeCode KC, which promotes tech education and creating sustainable career pathways, recently announced a partnership with KIPP Legacy High School to introduce…
WeWork closing Corrigan Station, once a core hub for Kansas City’s startup community
Coworking giant WeWork on Thursday confirmed the planned closure of its Corrigan Station location in Kansas City — a space once closely intertwined with the local startup scene and its flourishing culture of innovation. “As part of WeWork’s strategic restructuring efforts, we have made the difficult decision to end our operations at Corrigan Station,” a…