Startup Crawl returns June 14; here’s where you’ll discover dozens of innovators shaping a new KC

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.