Startup Crawl returns June 14; here’s where you’ll discover dozens of innovators shaping a new KC
May 3, 2024 | Startland News Staff
Sneakers and sunscreen are recommended as Startup Crawl makes its way back to the Kansas City Power & Light District this summer.
Startup Crawl attendees and participants crowd together at Spark Coworking during the 2023 Startup Crawl in downtown Kansas City; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
The annual gathering of startups will return the evening of June 14 to three locations across the entertainment district, Startland News announced this week. Organizers expect to reveal the band lineups for two stages of live music soon.
“We’re coming back strong with what I’d call Startland’s most intentionally curated event yet,” teased Austin Barnes, executive editor. “We’ve teamed up with a stellar group of community partners — all eager to bring their networks and expertise together to show off the innovation prowess of our city.”
Such partners include Spark Coworking — which will serve as presenting sponsor of Startup Crawl — Full Scale and Startup Hustle, 1 Million Cups Kansas City, and the Kansas City AI Club.
“Each of these groups is working with us in an intentional way to bring startups, small businesses, and organizations together from each of their industry specific networks,” Barnes explained. “Our goal is to showcase close to 100 companies and reach more than 1,000 guests.”
Want to participate in Startup Crawl? Click here to complete a booth application.
Additional event sponsors include the City of KCMO and its Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, Sailes, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Nick Smith, center, and members of the Sailes team at Startland News’ 2023 Startup Crawl; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
“Our community is at its best when it’s connected,” said Barnes. “Startup Crawl annually gives us the chance to make sure silos are broken down, partners and stakeholders are engaged with one another, and the communities we serve are intentionally exposed to the work being done to reimagine Kansas City as a leader in innovation.”
Mark Lukenbill, Mpruv Sports, talks with fellow startup community members during Startland News’ Startup Crawl at PNC Plaza; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Click here to check out a photo gallery from the 2023 Startup Crawl.
The 2024 event will also serve as an annual fundraiser for Startland — showcasing its work in nonprofit journalism, workforce development, education redesign, and youth engagement. Programs such as the Social Change Internship will be on full display for the community to learn more about and consider investing in.
“We’ve made broadly sharing our story with the community a strategic priority in 2024,” Barnes explained. “There is much being done to shape and reshape the collective work we’ve done at Startland and making sure the people we serve understand the cost associated with our work and the need for their support on both small and large scales is critical to our survival.”
All proceeds from Startup Crawl ticket sales will support new and existing community programming efforts aimed at supporting entrepreneurs.
Tickets for Startup Crawl — ranging in price from $20 to $80 — launched Monday. Click here to register.
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KC Black Owned’s fall summit returns this weekend with corporate backing, tools for Black entrepreneurs
A summit planned for Saturday at the Kansas City Convention Center aims to inspire Black business owners and equip them with the resources, strategies, and connections needed to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. The Global Strategies Summit for Market Innovators — organized by KC Black Owned — is deeply rooted in its founder’s drive to…
This Midtown pizza shop sliced through challenges, topping years of popup work with grand opening
Orange By: Devoured — the flagship pizza shop from Jhy Coulter — is finally ready for the public, she said, after enduring years of pop-ups to keep the dream alive, renovations, and the closure of business lending platform Mainvest that took founders by surprise. “I am tired — I’m exhausted,” Coulter said with a laugh,…
Exited founders: Face the tough conversations first; avoid a messy post-honeymoon breakup
Preparing for an exit begins with co-founder alignment at the startup’s launch, three veteran Kansas City founders agreed. “You are getting married to your founders,” explained Tony Caudill, who co-founded two tech startups with his best friend — including aware3, which was acquired in 2018 by Nelnet. “Just like when you find your mate of…
Hy-Vee’s small biz competition sends Midwest entrepreneurs racing for $50K checkout; Here are the winners
BaKIT Box, a Chicago-based subscription service offering baking kits inspired by diverse global cuisines, took home the $30,000 grand prize at the 2024 Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit. Shelley Gupta, the founder and CEO of BaKIT Box, was thrilled to receive the grand prize, she said. “It feels incredible,” Gupta said. “I flew here last…