On Friday, February 8th, Kansas City hosted a premier event called KC Startup Crawl. The Startup Crawl was a local experiment focused on what can happen when entrepreneurial initiatives are showcased at the business forefront . Six destinations, 50 startups; an entrepreneur’s networking dream come true!
Startup Crawl was a one-night tour from 5-9PM showcasing new startup companies, co-shared workspaces, unique businesses accessing Google Fiber as well as business accelerators and incubators. “Crawl participants” were encouraged to network, seek out business owners and test novel technology in a spirited, pub crawl-like atmosphere where individuals could share entrepreneurial ideas over a Boulevard beverage. Limited free tickets were available and participants could choose to donate $5, $10 or other donation amount; shuttles were provided between destinations.
Red Nova Labs, a Web marketing think tank in Westwood, Kansas, partnered with KC Startup Village (Google Fiber’s first wired network), the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation/ Kauffman Labs, Think Big Partners/ BizPerc, OfficePort and BetaBlox to showcase roughly 50 startups.
“The goal of the city’s first Startup Crawl was to unite more groups and locals toward that objective,” said Carrie Royce, Chief Marketing Officer of Red Nova Labs. “It encouraged wider-spread interest in upstarts, and based on conversations in the social ether, it looks like people had a great time all around.” Royce shared the event served as a casual way to network with a diverse mix of local entrepreneurs.
Crawl Highlights
Startup Village hosted a prairie bluegrass band that live video-streamed into multiple event locations
BizPerc/ Think Big Partners featured 20+ companies with startup CEO’s or teams giving demos of new software & sellable technology
OfficePort hosted a lite-version of their “Whiskey Friday” tradition, showcased videos on a 15-foot screen and Roasterie’s iconic Airstream trailer was camped outside offering event goers hot coffee beverages
Local Ruckus handed out free cozies and event schwag at nearly every event stop
BetaBlox hosted tours of its’ huge office & event space in the 31st street caves; a lively networking party underground
Red Nova Labs had staff on hand from Silicon Prairie News, lively games of pool, a DJ and well-stocked bar
Last, but not least, Kauffman Labs features ‘Mr. K Trivia’ and attendees could meet up with a Kauffman Global Scholar and snag a photo in the photo booth.
Source: Startup Crawl aims to get entrepreneurs up and running