STARTUP CRAWL: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Apr 4, 2022

The Northwest Arkansas Startup Crawl will return to downtown Fayetteville on Friday, April 8, for an evening-long celebration of the region’s budding entrepreneurial ecosystem. The fourth iteration of the event, postponed from September 2021, is organized by Startup Junkie Foundation, a mission-driven organization and startup resource dedicated to improving lives through innovation and entrepreneurship. The event is made possible by a number of sponsoring companies and organizations from across the region.

Launched in 2017, the Startup Crawl has connected more than 4,500 members of the Northwest Arkansas community to the region’s most exciting startups, founders and creatives over a shared interest in local craft beer and live music.

“It’s the biggest startup party in Arkansas,” said Caleb Talley, Startup Junkie executive director. “There are so many incredible young companies and innovative thinkers right here in our own backyard. Startup Crawl gives everyone the opportunity to meet these awesome people, to get a glimpse inside their world in as fun an atmosphere as any.”

GET YOUR STARTUP CRAWL TICKETS HERE!

The Startup Crawl will kick off on the downtown Fayetteville square at 5 p.m. Guests will check in at a pair of stations located on East Avenue, one in which paid ticket holders can check in to receive a Startup Crawl-branded, reusable Silipint cup and wristband; the other where unpaid ticket holders can check in or walk-ups can purchase a ticket.

With that cup, attendees will be able to enjoy beers from the local craft breweries that have been paired with each of the 10 stops along the crawl, as well as from the beer garden located on the same street. Crawlers will also be given a passport, and those who have their passports marked by at least five of the 10 stops along the Crawl will receive a t-shirt provided by B-Unlimited.

This year’s stops include: Startup Junkie, Zenwork, SharpHue, Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, AcreTrader, Bearded Goat, Encore Bank, Big Box Karaoke, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) + Startup Village, and an Entrepreneurial Resource Stop at the Fayetteville Town Center Plaza.

In addition to the 10 stops, the Startup Crawl will feature a mega-location at the Pryor Center, 1 E. Center St., where dozens of startups will be exhibiting and interacting with everyone in attendance.

Some of the featured stops, too, will showcase local startups. Attendees can meet incredible entrepreneurs at the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, including the first cohort of companies participating in the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreational Program (GORP). The ASBTDC and Startup Village will also showcase startup and small business clients.

Out front of the Pryor Center, on South East Avenue, from East Rock to East Mountain streets, live music will be performed from the Startup Crawl’s main stage, one of three throughout the crawl. Musical performances include The 1 oz. Jig, JukeBoxx, Thrifty Biscuits, and Akeem Kemp.

In addition to a stage and beer garden, East Avenue, located right outside of the Pryor Center, will play host to food trucks and other activities. Attendees at the Brewer Hub can also participate in games lead by GORP.

The fourth annual Startup Crawl is free to attend, but those interested in joining in on the festivities are encouraged to register. Tickets to access everything the Startup Crawl has to offer, including local craft beer, are $30 in advance and can be purchased here. Tickets will be $35 on the day of the event.

Performances:

East Center Stage

JukeBoxx – 5 p.m.

DJ – 7 p.m.

Akeem Kemp – 7:45 p.m.

Block Street Stage

Thrifty Biscuits – 5 p.m.

DJ – 6:30 p.m.

Snaps for Sinners – 7:30 p.m.

Stops + Breweries:

• Startup Junkie (Pryor Center, #270) + Bike Rack Brewing

• Zenwork (Pryor Center, #250) + Black Apple Hard Cider