Startup Games wants to disrupt the average entrepreneurial networking event.
The first Startup Games will take place during 1 Week KC at 6 p.m. on June 9 at the Google Fiberspace, 1820 Westport Road. This event is open to anyone and you can register here.
But just what the Games are is being kept under wraps. The co-founders want an air of mystery and excitement, but hinted that attendees won’t be sprinting, swimming or doing any other high-intensity games.
“This isn’t the Hunger Games,” said Bryan Kitahara, who is helping promote the event.
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The Games’ purpose is to help the communities of startups, entrepreneurs, corporations and supporting organizations collide in an interactive environment. The games are specifically designed to encourage team-focused collaboration as attendees will be paired on random teams.
The purpose is to introduce the community to each other, whether you’re a CEO or new entreprenuer. They want to put everyone on the same level and break down the barriers of company or position, Kitahara said.
Individuals and teams compete in multiple challenges, problem solving and team building. The teams are placed in brackets competing for tiered prizes and major bragging rights.
Co-founders Bek Abdullayev, Josh Coleman and Shane Reustle created the concept on the Startup Bus to SXSW in March.
Abdullayev is not a fan of the “speed dating-like” networking events where you talk to a bunch of people for a few minutes and then leave with a stack of business cards that are essentially useless.
“They wanted to switch it up and get some collaboration and team building,” Kitahara said. “The norm isn’t effective or engaging.”
They’re excited that Startup Games will kick off 1 Week KC this year.
1 Week KC launched in 2012 to unite the Kansas City entrepreneurial community, and for the past two years entrepreneurs, creators, mavericks and designers of the future all joined together to help make big things happen in Kansas City, according to its website.
