Photos: Founders score electric vibes, human connections with Startup Crawl’s return

Even tech startups benefit from one-on-one conversations with peers and the public, founders said, reflecting on the connections, collisions and real-time feedback earlier this month during Startland News’ Startup Crawl in downtown Kansas City’s Power & Light District.

Startup Crawl participants test out tech from Kansas City-based Mpruv Sports during the 2024 Startup Crawl; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“It was an incredible experience that allowed for free-flow conversations and engaging activities between myself and the participants,” said Mark Lukenbill, founder of Mpruv Sports, a second-year Startup Crawl vendor and one of Startland News’ 10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024. “The casual atmosphere allowed for more real human-to-human connections not focused around business development or metrics, more around a shared experience.”

The June 14 Startup Crawl boasted dozens of Kansas City startups, small businesses, and nonprofits, as well as food trucks, a live art installation, and VIP networking opportunities. Action stretched from Spark Coworking, up a section of Walnut Street closed for the event, to PNC Plaza — where Startup Crawl participants and curious onlookers intertwined for a trio of local band performances (Keelon Vann, The Highwater, and Golden Groves).

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Kansas City-based Golden Groves performs at PNC Plaza during the 2024 Startup Crawl; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Startland News curated featured businesses at the event in partnership with Full Scale, 1 Million Cups KC, and the Kansas City AI Club. Startup Crawl also was made possible by KCMO’s Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, the Power & Light District, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Boulevard Brewing, Sailes, Andrews McMeel Syndication and Vibration Nation.

The event is a fundraiser for Startland, the nonprofit parent organization of Startland News.

Startup Crawl attendees take part in the Venture Connect happy hour at Spark Coworking; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Mpruv — a Kansas City-built sports education platform, driving access and opportunity for players, parents, instructors and businesses — benefited from a high-traffic spot near the Venture Connect happy hour sponsored by Novel, Husch Blackwell and Spark, Lukenbill said.

“Support for entrepreneurs is what is going to continue the growth of this city for you, your children, your grandchildren,” he said. “All of the businesses there are out to make a positive impact in our community and to feel the support from that community, makes us want to work even harder.”

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JQ Sirls, Storytailor, speaks with a Startup Crawl attendee along Walnut Street during the 2024 Startup Crawl; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Less than a block away, JQ Sirls said, the vibe was electric, making it easy for the Storytailor founder and CEO to connect with like-minded founders and event-goers.

“The atmosphere was laid-back, hot, and buzzing with energy, which was perfect for great conversations and potential collaborations,” said Sirls, who leads another of the Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024. “It felt like everyone was there to genuinely support and uplift each other.”

Startup Crawl serves as an important reminder of how critical a supportive network can be, he emphasized, along with showcasing the passion and innovation of Kansas City’s startup community.

Herston Fails, Storytailor, center back, chats with Startup Crawl attendees on Walnut Street in Kansas City’s Power & Light District; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Storytailor — an AI-infused, inclusive storytelling platform that crafts customized stories for young people — for example, is scaling up, expanding its story library, and preparing for a raise, Sirls said, noting the startup serves an audience of one — or at least one at a time.

Click here to create a story with Storytailor.

“We aren’t a replacement for books or authors or illustrators, but addressing very specific needs for families and caregivers who need stories in the moment — right now, whether helping them for school, an emotional hurdle, hospital visit, bedtime, or needing a little confidence,” he described, channeling the pitch he gave throughout Startup Crawl. “These are the stories that will not be published in stores because they don’t have international appeal, they just appeal to one child — your child. That’s all that matters.”

“The real-time feedback and ideas we got for Storytailor [during the event] were super helpful,” Sirls continued. “It was cool to hear different perspectives and see how our mission resonates with others.”

A crowd gathers to listen to Kansas City bands at PNC Plaza during the 2024 Startup Crawl; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

A Startup Crawl visitor-turned-vendor, Wes Elder used the one-night-only opportunity to create in-person buzz for his new venture, Creatorspace.

“The quick pitch is always that we’re the Airbnb of brand deals, but then elaborate how that’s a marketplace between influencers and brands. However, the Airbnb hook helps them have a quick understanding of how it will function,” Elder explained of his approach to drawing early interest to what his startup calls the world’s first content marketplace.

Wes Elder, Creatorspace, center, speaks to a Startup Crawl attendee at PNC Plaza; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“People were often surprised that we’re based here and not LA or NYC, but the reality is there are close to 200 creators in KC where this is a significant part of their life,” the serial entrepreneur continued. “And the creator economy has enabled people to do this profession from anywhere.”

Click here to browse listings in the Creatorspace marketplace.

Because Creatorspace is still small and relatively young in its journey, Startup Crawl served as a great dry run for what a booth setup could look like as the startup plots its course toward future exhibitions, Elder said.

“We hadn’t yet done that, so to test a couple things within the KC community was a plus for us,” he said. “Since everyone is cheering you on, they could be more forgiving if you haven’t ironed the kinks out yet.”

Having attended the 2023 Startup Crawl just to learn more about the local innovation space, Elder said, pivoting to the other side of the booth was an exciting opportunity to spread the message about Creatorspace.

“We made a couple relationships from the event; from potential customers to some higher level connections who really understood what we’re building,” he added. “And for a one-night event, if I meet one person who changes the trajectory of our business, then it’s all worth it.”

Check out a photo gallery from the 2024 Startup Crawl below.