What is Going on with Google Fiber (For Real)?

As we all know, Kansas City is on a mission to become the most entrepreneurial city in America. Why not start with lightning-fast internet from Google? 1,100 cities in the US applied and Google chose Kansas City to launch Google Fiber! The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City hosted an event (with pizza and beer!), called KC on the Map last night to learn more about what we can expect from Google. Rachel Hack (KC Google rep) and Adam Coomes (Kansas City serial entrepreneur) spent the evening discussing the possibilities of Google Fiber and what it means for KC.

Rachel Hack

Rachel Hack, the force behind Google Fiber in KC, explained Google’s vision for Google Fiber. “We’re supplying the infrastructure,” Rachel stated, “It’s [Kansas City’s] job to run with it”.

Google wants innovation; it’s pushing for it. “We want to inspire the next game changer, like YouTube”, says Rachel.

It has taken some time for Google to build its infrastructure, but Rachel says Google Fiber should be ready for business this summer. The gigabit of internet will start in residential areas and public buildings—like schools and libraries—with a possibility of commercial Google Fiber in the future. Google has had to build its customer service department from the ground up, since it hasn’t had to interact with individual customers in the past. Rachel explains, “This is the first time customers will see the face of Google so we 

want it to be good”.

What do we recommend you do right now, Kansas City?  Be patient. 

Adam Coomes

Adam Coomes is a repeat entrepreneur and now business consultant in the Kansas City area. He is also on the Chamber of Commerce steering committee to make KC the most entrepreneurial city in the US. Adam is excited about the possible innovations Google Fiber will inspire.

Adam’s personal startup, infegy, started in his house.  “We would sit in the living room doing hours of coding,” he explains. Since many startups begin in living rooms or basements, Google Fiber in residential 

areas may actually be necessary.

Adam has some advice for anyone looking to start his or her own business: “You need passion. You can learn the other things, but if you have passion, it won’t feel like work”. He also suggests participating in Startup Weekend or other hackathons in the Midwest. So get out there, entrepreneurs, and help KC with its goal!

Who would’ve thought a faster internet connection could spark so much innovation? Google foresaw this outcome, which is why it picked Kansas City. We are ready for the creativity that will flow from Kansas City with the implementation of fiber. With Google Fiber, KC is one step closer to its entrepreneurial goal—and if it’s on the horizon, we’re excited.  

Herb Sih’s Fire Up: How to Get S*#! Done Fast (Plus a Recap of iKC’s Fire Ups)

iKC hosted Kansas City’s first Fearless Innovators and Ruthless Entrepreneurs’ Unconventional Pitch (also known as Fire Up). Fire Up is an intense 5 minute, 15 seconds-per-slide pitch contest. Understanding what these entrepreneurs were saying during their speedy spiels was the hardest part of these lightning-fast pitches. Here are some details I can recall from the pitching whirlwind.

Kevin Payne, Joel Stephens, Adam Coomes, Doug Richards and Kathy Pate were the entrepreneurs of “Fire Up: The Next Disruptive Innovation”. Five entrepreneurs gave their pitches about products or ideas that should be in the marketplace. The groundbreaking ideas ranged from “non-sexy stuff” to 7-Eleven’s gross profit split to re-engineered human data systems. The presentations and presenters couldn’t have been more different if they had planned it.

The winner of the this Fire Up contest was Doug Richards. His idea was Gamification. The next disruptive innovation that he proposed was a way for a game to produce work-like results. This program is based on experiential psychology. Users will choose an adventure and then receive results based on their performance. Richards believes this new program will replace social media and render the term obsolete.  

This process of super-quick pitches is mind-blowing and bound to boost creativity and innovation. I know I’m motivated to think outside the box, but I’d never be able to pitch anything at Fire Up speed! Kathy Pate let out a huge sigh when she was finished and said, “That was the most stressful 5 minutes of my life!” The entrepreneurs kept the crowd engaged throughout the presentations and we all left Fired Up!

To catch a glimpse of Herb Sih’s Fire Up called How to Get S*#! Done Fast (he participated in Fire Up: The Answers to Questions You Didn’t Know You Had), take a look at this video below (it’s bound to make your mind race!): 


(We apologize—this isn’t the FULL presentation and it also doesn’t have the best quality!  Also, please ignore Allison Way’s random giggles and high pitched shouts at the end).  

Entrepreneurs, Join the One Week Revolution

This one's for you, entrepreneurs.  Are you ready to join the One Week Revolution?

One Week is a nine-day celebration of entrepreneurship.  It's a week's worth of sharing ideas with hundreds of great thinkers.  It's a time to come together, get inspired, learn and connect.  It's all about making Kansas City America's Most Entrepreneurial City...and you're invited.

This week, the One Week KC site launched with an effort to unite entrepreneurs and build the community.  Taking place on June 18-26, 2012, One Week will bring together innovators, thinkers, purveyors of aspiration and creators of what's next to become a part of something bigger in Kansas City.

One Week will be made up of a large number of Kansas City entrepreneur events including iKC, which will take place on June 20 at the H&R Block Corporate Headquarters.  A full list of One Week events will be unleashed soon.

According to Adam Coomes, organizer of One Week, Kansas City will be the place to be June 18-26.  “There are many reasons One Week should happen in KC.  First of all, we have great entrepreneurial events in KC already.  They build the community...but people don’t know about them," he says.  "One Week KC will help others meet the startup community and bring new people out.  We want to boost the startup scene in KC and use this to lead us toward our ultimate goal—to become America’s Most Entrepreneurial City.” 

For now, you can follow One Week on Twitter using the hashtag #1wkc.  More details soon to come.

One Week KC Presents Entrepreneur Day at the K for Entrepreneurs and Startups

The rumors are true: Kansas City is throwing a 9-day celebration to recognize the city's growing movement of entrepreneurship, startups and innovation.  It's called One Week KC and it takes place on June 18-26, 2012 throughout the entire city.

According to Adam Coomes, organizer of One Week KC, the 9-day celebration is meant to propel the Chamber's Big 5 Entrepreneurial Initiative ahead and to build Kansas City into America's Most Entrepreneurial City.

“There are many reasons One Week should happen in KC," says Coomes.  "First of all, we have great entrepreneurial events in Kansas City already.  Although they build up the community, people don’t always know about them.  One Week KC will help others meet the startup community and bring new people out.  We want to boost the startup scene in KC and use this to lead us toward our ultimate goal—to become America’s Most Entrepreneurial City.” 

As the grand finale for One Week, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Big 5 Entrepreneurial Initiative is helping to host Entrepreneur Day at the K on June 26th.  At "E Day at the K", entrepreneurs are invited to watch the Royals take on the Tampa Bay Rays, network with one another, and tune into special announcements from Mayor Sly James, the Johnson and Wyandotte County Council of Mayors and other area Mayors.

Entrepreneurs in attendance will also have the opportunity to throw the first pitch or watch from the field during batting practice.

Tickets for E Day at the K are $13 for both a Field Box and Field Plaza seat.  The game starts at 7:10pm with mayoral announcements to take place beforehand.

Stay tuned.  More information about One Week and Entrepreneur Day at the K is coming...

Startup Weekend Returns to Kansas City

It seems like only yesterday that bizperc's 6th floor was bustling with inspired entrepreneurs, wide-eyed visionaries, and energetic professionals during Startup Weekend Kansas City.  In April, Startup Weekend brought together over 80 Kansas City entrepreneurs and created three potential startup companies.  Two of these companies went on to officially launch.  Obviously, Kansas City's first Startup Weekend in 2011 was a huge success, so why not have another one?

Adam Coomes and Steven Chau, KC's Startup Weekend organizers, have announced that SUW KC will take place from November 11th-13th of 2011 at the Cerner Innovation Campus.  The event could not be scheduled at a more perfect time -- it will take place right in the middle of Global Entrepreneurship Week -- which is the best time for entrepreneurs to explore their ideas, dive head first into their businesses, and start up a new venture.

Details about ticket sales will be announced soon.  You can find more information on the Startup Weekend Kansas City site.

Not sure if Startup Weekend Kansas City is for you?  Check out our list of the Top 10 reasons to attend this stellar KC business event!

1.  You’re going to meet some awesome people.

Entrepreneurs.  Developers.  Designers.  Marketers.  Product managers.  Startup enthusiasts.  Tech guys.  They’re all at Startup Weekend and they’re all anxious to meet you!  Startup Weekend not only provides you with the opportunity to make your startup dream come true, but it also gives you the networking opportunity that you need in order to grow your rolodex of experts and learn what others have to offer. 

2.      It’s super quick.

Startup Weekend takes an idea and launches it in 54 hours.  That means no business plans that take months to develop, no lack of resources that take days to discover, and no time-consuming and ineffective business meetings.  Everything you need will be right at your fingertips, making Startup Weekend one of the only ways to bring your idea to life in one weekend. 

3.      You’re going to learn...a lot.

Startup Weekend is more than just a chance to launch a business—it’s a chance to expand your mind!  Startup Weekends are all about learning through the act of creating.  This event allows you to step outside of your comfort zone and work on a new platform, learn a new program, or just try something different.

4.      Food!!

That’s right, you get food at Startup Weekend!  Startup Weekend Kansas City costs $60 to get involved, but you get a lot of stuff with your ticket including meals, snacks, access to exclusive resources, global sponsors, and all of the coffee you can drink.

5.      You get some major face time.

Local tech and startup leaders participate in Startup Weekends as mentors and judges.  Get some one-on-one time with the movers and shakers in Kansas City at this event!

6.      You get to go co-founder dating.

Startup Weekend is about more than just an idea—it’s about the team behind it.  Startup Weekend is hands down the best way to find someone that you can actually launch a startup with.

7.      You’re joining a global force.

Startup Weekend is a global community with over 30,000 alumni, all on a mission to change the world. 

8.      It inspires, it motivates.

For entrepreneurs who just can’t seem to pull their idea together. For corporate businesspeople who are stuck in the rut of the 9-5.  For creative minds who can’t find an avenue.  For serial entrepreneurs looking for their next breakthrough.  Startup Weekend could be the answer to anybody’s need for a little inspiration and a little motivation. 

9.      You get to experience it in an amazing facility!

Startup Weekend Kansas City is taking place at Cerner's Innovation Campus.  If you haven't checked it out yet, this would be the perfect opportunity to do so...and use it!

10.   What else are you going to do…seriously?

Sit on the Lazy Boy and eat potato chips?  We don’t think so.  Take advantage of your November 11th-13th weekend and sign up for Startup Weekend Kansas City!

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

We Have Liftoff: Zaarly Launches in Kansas City

Fasten your seatbelts.  Zaarly has launched in Kansas City. 

Ink reporter Sarah Gish made the first Zaarly transaction
when she delivered coffee to the Zaarly team. 
Read the full story.

I can't say I was too surprised when I opened my Ink magazine to find a full article about Zaarly.com.  After all, the online business is truly booming and word is getting out about the new business.  And how could it not?  Zaarly's easy-to-use digital platform gets you what you want, when you want it at the click of a mouse (or touch of a button!).  Have an extra wireless mouse lying around?  Someone near the Downtown Airport will pay you $20 for it.  Got some time on your hands?  An office in Kansas City needs someone to hang 6 photos on their walls...and they'll give you $50 for it.  What you want, when you want it: that's Zaarly.

Tomorrow night, Zaarly is having its Kansas City launch party at bizperc (1800 Baltimore Kansas City, MO) from 5:30-8:00pm. With knockout supporters like Ashton Kutcher, an incredible team like Adam Coomes and Bo Fishback backing it up, and the Zaarly buzz circulating throughout Kansas City (and even across the nation!), it's plain to see that Zaarly has a lot to celebrate.  Become a part of the Zaarly community and come down to bizperc tomorrow to connect with the Zaarly team, learn more about the company, and find out how its changing the local marketplace.  Or just come by for some awesome appetizers, beer, and wine.  The Zaarly launch is being presented by KC IT Professionals. 

Register now!

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonThinkBig

Q&A with Tamara Christensen, Think Big Kansas City Speaker

Last week, I talked to Tamara Christensen, director of research at R&D Leverage and Think Big Kansas City speaker, about what she is looking forward to most at TBKC this year.  Below you will find my Q&A session with Tamara.  Don't forget to register for Think Big Kansas City, May 24, 2011 at the Kansas City Convention Center!



TBP: What made you interested in presenting at Think Big Kansas City?

Tamara: It has such a strong presence in the Kansas City entrepreneurship and business community and it’s a very well organized event.  When you put those two things together it makes for a great conference.  I think that it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and become part of the growing tribe of people in the Kansas City area that are committed to entrepreneurial excellence.

TBP: What are you looking forward to most at Think Big Kansas City 2011?

Tamara: Meeting new people and learning and teaching.  I am excited about the potential of knowledge exchange and skill-building.  I think the idea of catalyzing growth for myself and for other people in attendance.  And to be honest, also introducing my own new business. I’m starting a creative consultancy so this is the first time that I’ll be going public with that.  I am hoping that this conference will bring a lot of value to the Kansas City business and entrepreneurship community.  It’s a fun even to be in the teacher role but also in the student role.

TBP: What are you planning to present at Think Big Kansas City 2011? 

Tamara: It’s experiential and interactive and I will be talking about tools for creative thinking that people can immediately apply when they go back to their organizations.  People think that creativity takes a lot of effort, but the point of my workshop is for people to recognize that in less than 60 minutes there’s a ton of things you can do to promote and generate creative thinking in an organization.  So, in 60 minutes we are going to go through a number of activities that attendees will experience first-hand and then also afterwards we are going to de-brief so that they get tips on how to facilitate those activities.  Anyone who attends the session should prepare to become a creative catalyst for their organizations.

TBP: What makes you a good speaker for an entrepreneurship event like Think Big Kansas City? 

Tamara: I have been a speaker and a workshop leader at a number of national and international conferences over the years, but usually these conferences relate to product and service design or consumer and design research or innovation and creativity.  What’s fun for me is Think Big Kansas City is an amalgam of all of these different disciplines because successful entrepreneurship and business requires skills in all of those areas.  I think it’s an interesting coming-together and overlap of these different areas where I have had a conference presence before.  Part of it, too, is the idea that since I am starting my own consultancy, I get to come and be a speaker but I also have my own curiosity about entrepreneurship and enterprise creation.  So I get to wear both hats.

TBP: What three things will people leave your presentation with?

Tamara: Knowledge and vocabulary for discussing creative thinking as it relates to business. Also, clarity about what learnable and teachable skills and capabilities comprise creative intelligence.  And, actual practice with various tools for creative thinking that they can use immediately.

TBP: Why is entrepreneurship so important to bring to Kansas City or to the Midwest?  

Tamara: The entrepreneurship community is new for me, but it’s intriguing because it’s an investment in the future of our city and our region.  I think about other cities and what sets great cities apart from the others on the map is how receptive they are to the new and the up-and-coming.  Some of the best places to live right now—and I think Kansas City is included in there—are the places that have rising creative classes so there are a lot of fertile opportunities where people want to go to launch their big ideas and contribute to the great conversation about the future.  I feel like the Midwest right now and Kansas City in particular is like a hidden gem—we attract big players but we are also very good at nurturing home-grown talent.  We are doing a great job of fostering that.  Think Big is great because it’s another way of nurturing that home-grown talent and the entrepreneurial community before everyone else comes in and realizes how great of a place it is to do that.

TBP: What’s the one piece of advice that you would give a potential entrepreneur?

Tamara: If it’s not fun, don’t do it.  If you’re not having fun with what you’re doing from the beginning, then you are setting yourself for a long journey.  If it doesn’t feel like play, then find something else.  If you’re undertaking launching your own enterprise and it’s something you’re going to pour your heart and your soul and your life and your time into then it ought to be something that you love doing.

TBP: What are you interested in seeing at Think Big Kansas City this year?

Tamara: One is I’m looking forward to hearing from Adam Coomes with Infegy.  I think he is going to have some great lessons about research and innovation and social media.  I’m also intrigued about their company culture.  They seem to have a pretty passionate creative company culture so I’m curious to see their formula for creative success.  I am also looking forward to Pitch Big: Shark Tank Style.  It will be great learning and delicious entertainment.

TBP: How do you Think Big?

Tamara: I am a compulsive, divergent thinker so I’m always asking myself, ‘what might be all the ways to...’ and generating lots and lots of options.  I have no trouble thinking big.  Right now I’m thinking big about my new consultancy.  I’m thinking big about summer class and teaching at KU to help bring design and creativity to K-12 kids.  I’m also thinking very, very big way down the road about a life-long dream I have of opening a sustainable creativity campus near the Kansas City area that will be a resource for business and schools.  That’s the big thinking!

Interview conducted by Allison Way.

@AllisonThinkBig