WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR
Since Kauzu walked away with a $250,000 convertible promissory
note courtesy of Gramercy Private Equity at The Gigabit Challenge Finale, the
Chicago-based startup has been developing new plans for 2012 including partnership
development, product development, fundraising and hiring.
Think Big Partners’ Gigabit Challenge was a global business
plan competition looking for new applications to disrupt technology on the
Google Fiber Network. Prizes included
the People’s Choice Award, a $100,000 Grand Prize and the $250,000 Born Global
Prize, which was given to Kauzu by Michael Gale of Gramercy Private Equity.
As one of the most energetic and creative pitches during The
Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18, 2012, Kauzu captivated the audience and
the judges with its unique spin on changing the US employment industry. Kauzu seeks to innovate the $170 billion
industry by providing a dynamic, digital online environment with unique tools
to create timely connections.
“This was a win for our team, and that’s all I really care
about,” said Mitch Schneider, CEO, Founder and Chairman of Kauzu. “This gives my team a pat on the back. It also creates visibility and exposure. Gramercy, Silicon Valley Bank, Microsoft—they
all want to see us succeed. The
validation is amazing. It only propels
our chance to succeed.”
Kauzu was one of the 17 Finalists to present at The Gigabit
Challenge Finale in front of 17 esteemed judges from Kansas City and from
across the nation.
“This was another company that did a fantastic job with
their pitch and connecting with the audience,” said Chris Bernard, Gigabit
Challenge judge, in a recent article in Silicon Prairie News. “I’m super eager to see what these guys do. I think they have some unique ideas and a
fantastic team.”
 |
| Mitch Schneider, CEO of Kauzu. |
Post-Gigabit Challenge, Kauzu hopes to continue to develop
more partnerships both in and outside of Chicago. With these partnerships, Kauzu hopes to fund raise more effectively and more quickly to allow for cross-generating
revenue. The startup also hopes to start
the hiring process in May.
“This experience has helped us form new partners and has allowed
us to provide value back to new startups,” said Schneider. “We are going to use other startup products
so we can connect them with others too.
We want to open doors for others just like people have done for
us.”
In addition, Kauzu is planning another trip to Kansas City
to connect with Think Big Partners’ accelerator and collaborative workspace and
to strengthen more partnerships in Silicon Prairie. Schneider also mentioned a two-location
startup launch in both Chicago and Kansas City.
Follow Kauzu! @KauzuInc
Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig
