Photos: Founders plug into vibrant Startup Crawl energy as Startland celebrates decade of storytelling

September 24, 2025  |  Startland News Staff

Zack Hoskins, who performs as Swoovi, takes the stage at Startup Crawl with Swoovi&&Co. inside Spark Kansas City; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

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

2025 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    Trio adds Asian fusion to KCK culinary cluster; new BYO ramen, poke spot opens by May

    By Tommy Felts | March 17, 2025

    This little strip in Kansas City, Kansas, boasts some of the metro’s favorite restaurants: Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, 1889 Pizza Napoletana, and Gus’s World Famous Chicken.  Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop is just down the street in Westwood. Now an Asian fusion restaurant is joining the mix. Sannin — poke, sushi and ramen — plans to…

    Meet the competition: 10 entrepreneurs vying for $60K at KC GIFT ‘Pitch Black’ business summit

    By Tommy Felts | March 17, 2025

    The return of Kansas City G.I.F.T.’s spring pitch competition not only opens the door to prize money for emerging Black entrepreneurs, said Brandon Calloway, it also allows community members and supporters of his nonprofit to see the impact of its mission firsthand. GIFT’s highly anticipated Pitch Black Business Summit 2025 is set for 10 a.m.…

    How a toy car can recapture a moment (and put a little cash in this student’s pocket)

    By Tommy Felts | March 14, 2025

    Collecting toys is in Andrew Bates’ blood, the UMKC senior said — and now it’s in his wallet. A supply chain management student at the university, Bates was exposed to the hunt for nostalgia early, he said; his father was snagging Hot Wheels for him before Bates was born. “I was (slow) to embrace it,” the…

    Support without limits: Doctor duo flexes scrub design that’s a dream for women, mothers-to-be

    By Tommy Felts | March 14, 2025

    A pair of Kansas City doctors diagnosed a chronic need in maternity and versatility care for women — turning to entrepreneurship to prescribe “bump to pump” comfort and flexibility through a new line of scrubs. “Being physicians, we want to continue to help people,” said Dr. Christine Khong, who co-founded Vervee Scrubs alongside Dr. Melanie…