Startup Crawl Returns to Downtown Fayetteville on Sept. 25 with Beach-Themed Celebration

Main stage music lineup released, featuring emerging and nationally recognized artists

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark – Startup Junkie today officially announced the return of Startup Crawl 2026: Making Waves, taking over the Downtown Fayetteville Square on Friday, September 25, for its eighth year with local startups, craft beer, food trucks, live music and much more.

The lineup of this year’s main stage musical performances was also released today, featuring both established and up-and-coming local bands as well as a unique mix of nationally recognized artists.

Since 2017, Startup Crawl has connected more than 10,000 community members with the founders and ideas driving the region’s innovation economy. The walkable, one-night celebration turns the Square and One East Center into a curated showcase of Northwest Arkansas innovation, and general admission is free with registration encouraged.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to host this event again, and for another year to celebrate the founders, innovators, small business owners and everyone else who makes this ecosystem great,” said Caleb Talley, Executive Director of Startup Junkie Foundation. “We are blown away by the support from this community every single year, and we’re excited to welcome everyone to this year’s event.”

Main Stage — West Mountain Street

• 5:15 p.m. – Malibu Moon, rising talent, a Northwest Arkansas indie alternative rock band, opens the night.
• 6:30 p.m. – The Irie Lions, Fayetteville’s original roots reggae band, a veteran act and recognized regional talent.
• 7:30 p.m. – Memphis Ukulele Band headlines. Founded at the iconic Sun Studio, this unique collective of Memphis music veterans has built a national following on a sound nobody else has: an all-ukulele front line reworking soul, country and pop standards. Having been featured on PBS’s Sun Studio Sessions, Music City Roots and NPR’s internationally syndicated Beale Street Caravan, their appearance at Startup Crawl 2026 comes as the group celebrates the 10-year anniversary of their debut album.

The lineup helps set the stage for a Crawl set to island time. This year’s theme invites attendees to exercise their imaginations as Startup Junkie turns the Fayetteville square into a startup beach party where founders and community members can “make waves” — a look that carries through the commemorative cups, event merch and giveaways, and even the map attendees will carry from stop to stop.

“Of all the events we host over the course of a year, Startup Crawl is by far my favorite,” said Daniel Koonce, Events Director at Startup Junkie Foundation. “It’s the biggest startup party in the Heartland. If you want to support small businesses, hear great live music and enjoy a little craft beer, this is your event. And this year, we’re bringing the party to the beach.”

What to Expect on Sept. 25

• Check-in opens at 5:00 p.m. outside One East Center on the Fayetteville Square. Attendees pick up their event map and, with a paid ticket, a commemorative cup and wristband, then chart their own route.
• This year’s event trades the traditional Startup Crawl passport of crawl stops for an on-theme treasure map to help attendees navigate their way through the night.
• Marked stops around the Square and inside One East Center pair emerging companies with local breweries, cideries and kombucha makers.
• Live music throughout the evening on the main stage on West Mountain Street.
• Craft beer tastings for guests 21 and older with a paid ticket and commemorative cup, plus food trucks and local vendors on the Square.

A full list of exhibiting startups, along with this year’s brewery lineup, will be released closer to the event date.

Two ticket options are available. The Low Tide Sampler Kit (6 oz) offers tasting-size pours along the route and includes a tote with swag. The High Tide Full Pour Pass (16 oz) offers full-size pours and also includes a tote with swag. Each paid ticket includes a custom 2026 Startup Crawl Silipint that provides access to pours at participating locations, and cups from prior years cannot be reused.

Don’t wait; get your tickets today. Quantities are limited, commemorative cups sold out last year, and ticket prices increase the day of the event. Please drink responsibly. Proof of age is required for alcohol.

All proceeds from the event support entrepreneurship education by the Startup Junkie Foundation in Northwest Arkansas. For more information about Startup Junkie’s work, to access their no-cost services, or to learn how you can support the work, visit www.startupjunkie.org.

The event is rain or shine. No refunds after September 18.

Special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Ox, ACC Capital, Ritter Communications, Wright Lindsey & Jennings, Bank of America, Swarm Aero, Experience Fayetteville, ARise, Startup NWA, Acre Hedge, Century Bank of the Ozarks, The Law Group of NWA, Teslar Software, Trust Tree Legal, P.C., and Zenwork. Additional opportunities are still available for anyone interested in sponsoring or collaborating in any capacity at this year’s event.

To learn more, register for general admission, or purchase all-inclusive tickets: startupjunkie.org/startup-crawl

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About Startup Junkie: Startup Junkie is a mission-driven organization that exists to improve lives through innovation and entrepreneurship. With a goal to stimulate economic growth in the region, the organization provides a variety of services including mentorship, consulting, training, and more. Startup Junkie has an extensive network of partners and professionals dedicated to enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas. The Foundation has helped thousands of entrepreneurs through one-on-one consulting and hosts over 200 events and programs a year.

Media contact

Harrison Kitson, Director of Marketing & Outreach
harrison@startupjunkie.org | 479-250-5742

Caleb Talley, Executive Director, Startup Junkie Foundation
caleb@startupjunkie.org | 479-879-7997