Spotlight: Jonathan Crawford
From Silicon Valley to Union Hill: Jonathan Crawford Is Building What’s Next—Right Here in KC
Jonathan Crawford is not your average boomerang. He’s a technologist, startup whisperer, karaoke enthusiast, and all-around creative catalyst who traded the intensity of San Francisco for the soulful hum of Kansas City—and he’s doing it with a flair that only Jon could.
After spending over a decade in the Bay Area, where he founded a venture-backed indie e-commerce startup and sold it to Alibaba, Jonathan came back to KC during the pandemic. The decision wasn’t just about affordability (though the house he bought here is 3x the size of his SF apartment). It was about space—space for family, space for big ideas, and space to build something lasting.
A Swiss Army Knife for Startups
Professionally, Jon is what he calls a “startup Swiss Army knife.” He’s worn just about every early-stage hat you can think of: founder/CEO, CTO, Head of Marketing, Head of Data, and even Entrepreneur-in-Residence at a VC accelerator. He’s helped build consumer brands like MUD\WTR, mentored over 150 startup founders around the world, and understands the trenches of entrepreneurship better than most.
These days, he’s channeling all that experience into his latest venture: Wellphoria, a personalized AI wellness coach designed to help people improve their lives through smarter self-awareness. As he puts it, “I’m passionate about the potential for AI to make people’s lives better. After years of helping others build their startups, I’m finally back in the founder seat.”
A Touchdown with Back2KC
When Jonathan attended Back2KC in 2019, he had no plans to move home. But after meeting civic leaders, catching the buzz of the local tech scene, and seeing how much had changed since his KU days, the seed was planted. “I never thought I’d move back to KC until the pandemic forced me to take stock of everything. Back2KC helped remind me that this city has real momentum.”
Kicking Off Community Leadership
It didn’t take long for Jonathan to get back into community-building mode. He recently stepped in as the new host of CreativeMornings KC, a free, monthly breakfast lecture series featuring TEDx-style talks on creativity. Held every third Friday at the Crossroads Hotel, it’s become one of the most vibrant gatherings for makers and thinkers in KC.
“If you haven’t been to CreativeMornings yet, come grab a donut and get inspired,” Jon says. “It’s a great way to plug into the creative heartbeat of the city.”
He’s also spoken at Digital Health KC, pops into Keystone Sessions when he can, and is eager to build new spaces for the scrappy, early-stage founders he hasn’t yet found in KC. “I’m throwing my hat in the ring to help cultivate those circles. I miss that tribe of entrepreneurs constantly challenging and motivating each other.”
Burning Man Meets Business Coaching
True to his unconventional spirit, Jonathan is also the mastermind behind Hotel Lobby, a massive Gatsby-themed art deco hotel camp he co-founded at Burning Man. Equal parts design fantasy and community experiment, it’s just one more example of Jonathan’s passion for creating experiences that connect people and spark bold ideas.
“I get fired up when I can dig into big ideas with other founders—especially the kind of conversations that blend psychology, philosophy, and strategy. The stuff that helps you build a better company without burning out.”
Rooted in KC, Eyes on the Horizon
Whether he’s helping clients sharpen their business strategy or prototyping the next wave of wellness tech, Jonathan is all in on KC. He lives in Longfellow/Union Hill with his 13-year-old daughter, and he’s constantly reminded of how much the city has to offer.
“KC’s arts and music scenes are way more vibrant than outsiders realize. Honestly? I think KC’s live music scene beats SF by a mile.”
As he prepares to launch Wellphoria and raise a seed round this summer, Jonathan’s focus is clear: build something meaningful, keep his values front and center, and connect with a community that wants to do the same.
Connect with Jon:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncrawford
- Personal site: https://joncrawford.com
- Instagram: @joncrawford
Jonathan’s story is proof that moving “back” can mean moving forward—with more clarity, more creativity, and more community. We’re thrilled to have Jonathan back in Kansas City, building bold things and helping others do the same.
Check back next week as we spotlight Julia Kanter, who hosted the very first New2KC event back in May 2024. So many incredible innovators shaping the future of KC! And we are here for it!