Think Big Celebrates GEW with KC Entrepreneurs at Startup Waffles

Is there anything better than bringing passionate, driven entrepreneurs together during Global Entrepreneurship Week?

Yes, yes there is.

It's even cooler to bring passionate, driven entrepreneurs together during Global Entrepreneurship Week and add feed them waffles!  And then, top off the day with an exclusive look at the brand new Windows 8 platform with Microsoft's startup evangelist Taylor Cowan.  We think it's safe to say that Think Big had a pretty awesome day on Friday--and a lot of great entrepreneurs joined us in the celebration.

As a part of Kansas City's Global Entrepreneurship Week, Think Big Partners hosted two events, Startup Waffles and Windows 8 Kansas City Bootcamp on Friday, November 16.  Many entrepreneurs came together not only to enjoy the sticky sweetness of waffles, but to network with other entrepreneurs, collect business cards and get educated on the Windows 8 platform.

A big thanks to all of the startups who made it out to Startup Waffles and the Windows 8 Bootcamp last week!  And an even bigger thanks to KCSourceLink for being the true KC leader during Global Entrepreneurship Week. 

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Global Entrepreneurship Week Goes Full Steam Ahead in Kansas City

Attention all Kansas City startups, entrepreneurs, and developers! It’s time to celebrate something totally awesome—YOU! On November 8^th, 2012 Global Entrepreneurship Week kicked off here in Kansas City.  The worldwide movement promises to be a week full of engaging events focused on celebrating the startup and entrepreneur culture and will culminate with Startup Weekend Kansas City on November 18, 2012.

In just five short years, Global Entrepreneurship Week has grown to include roughly 35,000 activities that will take place in over 129 countries, all in the course of one week. GEW is officially the world’s largest celebration of startups and entrepreneurs. Through its existence, Global Entrepreneurship Week has inspired nearly 20 million people, through 125,000 activities and it’s ever growing network of 24,000 partner organizations. The weeklong celebration is powered by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

With a total of 35 events taking place throughout Kansas City during GEW, there will be something for everyone. Think Big Partners is even getting in on the fun by hosting two fantastic events that are completely free with registration.  TBP’s first event is the ever-popular Startup Waffles. The second will be Microsoft Windows 8 Kansas City Bootcamp, which will provide attendees the opportunity to experience and learn how to build on Microsoft’s new flagship operating system, from Microsoft startup evangelist Taylor Cowan.  Attendees of the Windows 8 Bootcamp are eligible for a drawing where the lucky winner will get a brand new Microsoft Surface With Windows RT. Both events will take place on Friday, November 16.  

The week will culminate with the arrival of Startup Weekend KC, a global grassroots movement aimed towards educating and empowering entrepreneurs from all walks of life. The two-day event in itself will start on November, 16^th at 5:00pm and will conclude on November 18^th.  Attendees wanting to participate need to pay the $60.00 registration prior to the event.

So put on your startup pants, shirt and shoes, and don’t miss out on all the fun of celebrating the amazing culture that is entrepreneurship. A full list of events along with registration and location info is available here. If you find an event that you can’t wait for, be sure to register in advance as space can be limited!! 

Youth Entrepreneurs Serves Up Business for Breakfast in Kansas City

Another great startup event hot and out of the oven in Kansas City!  Youth Entrepreneurs is hosting its annual Business for Breakfast event on November 13, 2012 from 7:30am-9:00am at Livestrong Sporting Park.

Youth Entrepreneurs is excited to kick-start the day with an interactive discussion that features the insights of inspirational leaders who have supported Youth Entrepreneurs for the past few years.  This year, Cliff Illig, co-founder of Cerner, will be the speaker with moderating by Eric Morgenstern of Morningstar Communications.  The Emcee for the day is Betsy Johnson, a Youth Entrepreneurs alum and founder of SwimZip.

If you're looking to get connected, get inspired and get help, the Business for Breakfast event by Youth Entrepreneurs is a great way to get involved in the Kansas City community.  Tickets are on sale now for just $75.00 (a table of 7 is $600.00).

Business for Breakfast could not come at a better time either.  The event will take place smack dab in the middle of Kansas City's Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 8-November 16, 2012).  There's no better time to start celebrating entrepreneurship than with young, passionate minds during GEW.

Reserve your spot at Business for Breakfast today and get connected with the KC startup community!

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Think Big Partners Hosts Two Startup Events During Kansas City’s Global Entrepreneurship Week

KANSAS CITY, MO—November 7, 2012—Kansas City-based startup accelerator and business incubator Think Big Partners has teamed up with Microsoft Windows 8, Startup Weekend and Global Entrepreneurship Week to host two entrepreneurial events on November 16, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. Think Big Partners’ two events taking place during Global Entrepreneurship Week feature networking opportunities for startup entrepreneurs as well as a chance to learn how to use Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 8.

Think Big Partners first Global Entrepreneurship Week event is Startup Waffles, a popular breakfast networking event open to all attendees of Global Entrepreneurship Week and Startup Weekend. The event is free (requires registration) and will be hosted by Think Big Partners at the bizperc coworking space (1800 Baltimore Avenue, 6^th floor, Kansas City, MO 64108). Startup Waffles starts at 7:30am on Friday, November 16 and lasts until 9:30am.

“In the past, Startup Waffles has always had a great turn out,” says Sarah Snyder, Think Big Partners meeting planner and event manager.  “It’s an event that Kansas City entrepreneurs look forward to because it’s an outstanding networking opportunity.  We look forward to bringing together KC’s most well-connected entrepreneurs during Global Entrepreneurship Week.” 

Following Startup Waffles, Think Big Partners will host Microsoft Windows 8 Kansas City Bootcamp on the 6^th floor of the bizperc loft space.  Led by Microsoft startup evangelist Taylor Cowan, the technology-focused bootcamp will concentrate on educating attendees on how to effectively utilize and build on the new, highly-regarded Windows 8 platform.  The free event is open to Global Entrepreneurship Week attendees as well as the Kansas City startup and entrepreneurship communities. Though it is free to attend, space is extremely limited and registration is required. Midwest-based developers, entrepreneurs and startups interested in learning more about the highly-regarded Windows 8 platform are encouraged to attend.

Starting at 10:00am on Friday, November 16, startup evangelist Taylor Cowan will give a presentation that will highlight how to navigate Windows 8, the user-experience patterns, the inherent async design and integration features.  In addition to great learning opportunities during the Microsoft event, attendees will also receive access to Microsoft BizSpark accounts for free as well as access to Microsoft software.  Attendees will also have hands-on access to demonstrate and intact with four touch devices loaded with Windows 8, including two of the brand new Microsoft Surface tablets and two Microsoft slates.

In addition to the bootcamp portion of the event, attendees will have the chance to speak with Taylor Cowan about both Windows 8 and Azure during private office hours from 2:00pm-4:00pm on Friday, November 16. 

Potentially interested attendees are encouraged to sign up for both events as space is limited and is expected to fill up quickly.  To learn more about Startup Waffles, Microsoft Windows 8 Kansas City Bootcamp and other Global Entrepreneurship Week events, please visit KCSourceLink’s GEW Calendar of Events. 

LiveOn Joins Eye-Fi, IBM, Google & Tourism New Zealand in Competition for SXSW Technical Achievement Award

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR
LiveOn, a site that enables users to capture memories and share with future generations, has joined Eye-Fi, IBM, Google and Tourism New Zealand as a finalist for technical achievement at the South by Southwest Interactive Awards on March 13, 2012, in Austin, Texas.

South by Southwest (also coined as SXSW) Interactive is an event that features five days of presentations from entrepreneurs in emerging technology and spotlights the best new websites, video games and startup ideas. South by Southwest chose LiveOn among four other Finalists to win the Technical Achievement Award, which recognizes projects that are "re-inventing and re-defining the technical parameters of our online experience". This recognition has arrived three months after LiveOn launched its public beta site and four months after LiveOn was named a Global Entrepreneurship Week 50 company of 2011.

"We are honored to be recognized with these other cool technologies," said Ben Kittrell, LiveOn's Director of Development. "But we are the only ones that really change the way people use the Internet and perceive the Internet as a tool. We are trying to personalize the Internet."

LiveOn launched out of Kansas City, Missouri with the help of KC-based startup accelerator and mentorship-based collaborative workspace, Think Big Partners. According to LiveOn staff, the startup had an advantage going into the running for the South by Southwest awards because it has launched and grown out of Kansas City. Kansas City has become a breeding ground for entrepreneurs, startups and investors due to recent announcements such as Google Fiber, Think Big Partners' Gigabit Challenge, and new developments from The Kauffman Foundation. All initiatives are helping to launch and grow startups like LiveOn in and around Silicon Prairie. LiveOn believes that SXSW wanted more Kansas City-based startups in attendance due to the city's growing impact on the entrepreneurial community.

"We are looking forward to exploring more investment opportunities at South by Southwest," said Kittrell. "We want to get the site out there and make meaningful connections."

Linsey Grams, LiveOn's Director of Media and Communications, added, "It will be a good chance to see first-hand where the competition is heading. Staying abreast is half the battle."

The awards event will take place on March 13, 2012 in Austin, Texas and will coincide with the annual South by Southwest Interactive festival. For more information on South by Southwest, visit http://sxsw.com/.

Follow LiveOn! @LiveOnNow & @LiveOnRewind

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Global Entrepreneurship Week Schedule of Events: Kansas City

It's a busy week, entrepreneurs.  Check out the events going on in Kansas City during Global Entrepreneurship Week on Think Big Partners' GEW calendar 2011.

Click the schedule above to zoom in.  Don't forget to print off this schedule to use as a resource throughout the week!  Think Big Partners hopes to see you at the bizperc Open House on Thursday from 4:30 - 6:00 pm at 1800 Baltimore Kansas City, MO.  

Have fun this week and be sure to Think Big! 

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

How to Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week 2011 in Kansas City

The much-anticipated Global Entrepreneurship Week is here.  That's right; from November 14 until the 20th, you will find entrepreneurs across the globe celebrating their startup ventures by attending entrepreneurial events, participating in business plan competitions and spreading the word of entrepreneurship.

But what will entrepreneurs be doing in Kansas City to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week?  There are a lot of events going on this week, but here are some of our favorites:

1. Entrepreneurs Unpluggd 

Entrepreneurs Unpluggd is bringing their popular Chicago event to Kansas City for the first time.  The event will feature three successful Kansas City entrepreneurs for an intimate evening of storytelling.  Ticket prices have dropped to only $10, so why not celebrate entrepreneurship with Entrepreneurs Unpluggd on Tuesday night from 6:00-9:00 PM?  Register here.

2. Congratulate Startup Weekend Kansas City Finalists

The past weekend, Kansas City's 4th Startup Weekend took place at the Cerner Innovations Campus.  This 54-hour event produced some amazing new businesses.  The top three included Horsebot3k, Bold Predictions and a tie between Dawg BnB and Merry Plate.  Want to read about these companies?  Check out this article.  Although Startup Weekend Kansas City did not occur during Global Entrepreneurship Week, it was the perfect way to kick it off the weekend before.  Congratulate those who participated in Startup Weekend Kansas City during GEW!

3.  GEW Kickoff Event

This event is today--so get out there!  Kansas City is kicking off Global Entrepreneurship Week at Union Station with Curbside Consulting sessions for emerging entrepreneurs.  Join civic leaders and experienced entrepreneurs and learn why entrepreneurship is so important to Kansas City.  Learn more here.

4.  Kansas City Cradle of Entrepreneurs Series: Danny O'Neill

The Kansas City Public Library has been hosting the Cradle of Entrepreneurs for a few weeks now.  During Global Entrepreneurship Week, the series will feature Danny O'Neill of The Roasterie.  The event takes place on Tuesday, November 15th at 7:30 AM.

5.  Kauffman FastTrac Global Women's Summit

In conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week, Kauffman FastTrac is hosting the FastTrac Global Women's Summit targeted to aspiring and existing women in business.  The event will drive support for women owned businesses and foster the growth of the number of women entrepreneurs.  This event takes place on Wednesday, November 16th.  

A huge thanks to KCSourceLink for posting all of the events during Global Entrepreneurship Week in Kansas City!  


Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

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

The Kauffman Foundation Announces Startup Open Competition

The Kauffman Foundation is asking it: Who are the next generation of entrepreneurs that will grow to become tomorrow's Google, Apple or Facebook? 

And entrepreneurs? They're responding.  It's all part of Startup Open.

Startup Open, put on by the Kauffman Foundation, is a competition that recognizes the "GEW 50," a group of 50 companies deemed to have the greatest chance of growing in to game-changing firms that will move markets and create jobs.  Prizes and honors will be awarded during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2011.  One winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip and VIP delegate credentials to participate in Liverpool's Global Entrepreneurship Congress in March of 2012. 

Second prize will receive a year of mentoring from Redbox's founding members Michael DeLazzer and Biju Kulathaka.  The startups that make it into the "GEW 50" will be invited to participate in Start-Up Chile. 

With Startup Open happening in Kansas City and throughout the nation, as well as the Gigabit Challenge recently launched in the Kansas City area, many more entrepreneur opportunities have been born in the Midwest.  Be sure to check out both of these competitions by clicking on the links below and start living your dream today!

Startup Open

The Gigabit Challenge

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

Global Entrepreneurship Week Kicks Off in Kansas City

Although Global Entrepreneurship Week doesn't officially start until November 14th, buzz about the week-long celebration is in the air...especially in Kansas City.  I was able to experience GEW's first step in 2011 by attending the Global Entrepreneurship Week National Forum, held at the Kauffman Foundation last week. 

At the GEW National Forum networking event and reception that took place on Thursday night, I had the opportunity to meet dozens of entrepreneurs, startups, and GEW organizers from Silicon Valley to Cincinnati and all places in between.  Being able to meet all of the people who make GEW possible was an eye-opening experience. 

On Friday, the National Forum started with a breakfast at 8:00AM and finished with two breakout sessions (Kansas City's Plans for GEW/USA 2011 and Fresh Ideas for Our Growing Movement).  In between, there were updates on national events and activities, a speech about tools, tactics and resources for GEW, an overview of the Kauffman Foundation, and a Q&A session with Jonathon Ortmans (President of Global Entrepreneurship Week). 

The most interesting part of the GEW National Forum was the informative session about the national events and activities that GEW supported.  Below is a short list of some of the activities and events that will take place this year:

• Startup Open - a competition for anybody who has had a "startup moment".  The winner will walk away with startup prizes to help grow their dream.
• Startup Weekend - a 54-hour event in which competitors develop a launch a new business.  The winners from each Startup Weekend then have the chance to compete in Startup Battle.
• Your Big Year - winners of Your Big Year get to travel around the world for one year.
• Clean Tech Open - an open that seeks the new clean tech companies out there.
• World Series of Innovation - the opportunity for high school and middle school students to develop new products in a classroom setting.
• Future Entrepreneurship Education Summit

Last year, 18,277 organizations planned events during GEW.  Want to get involved in GEW this year?  Visit the GEW site and see how you can contribute!  Stay tuned to learn how Think Big Partners is going to get involved in GEW...

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonThinkBig

Does Your Startup Have What It Takes? Find Out With Nicholson Kovac's "The Last Plan Standing"




Will your business become The Last Plan Standing?

From now until December 31st, entrepreneurs in Kansas City and beyond have the opportunity to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime integrated marketing communications campaign to launch their very own business. The event is “The Last Plan Standing” which is Nicholson Kovac’s way of helping entrepreneurs and businesses grow and prosper. By submitting a one-minute video, entrepreneurs will have a chance to explain why their new product or service is relevant and ingenious, and why Nicholson Kovac should deem it worthy as “The Last Plan Standing."

Nicholson Kovac, an integrated marketing communications company that is counted among the top independent advertising agencies in the country, is accepting “The Last Plan Standing” entries and videos at http://www.lastplanstanding.com/. At this site, you can find information about the contest including eligibility requirements, contest rules, and a place to upload and submit your business’s video.

On February 8, 2011, the top three contestants of “The Last Plan Standing” will be notified by Nicholson Kovac and a panel of business executives. These three finalists will then be flown to Kansas City to make half hour presentations of their business plans and why they should be “The Last Plan Standing”. Each presentation will be recorded and posted to the site so that the public has the chance to vote on a winner. These results will be combined with Nicholson Kovac’s staff and judges to select the winner of “The Last Plan Standing.” NK will announce the grand prize winner via a live webcast on February 28th and the business’s $100,000 marketing communications plan will be developed from March 1st until August 31st.

“Nicholson Kovac was founded by entrepreneurs who understand the important role that marketing communications plays in helping businesses to grow and prosper,” said Pete Kovac, president and CEO. “History shows that entrepreneurs can thrive in a flagging economy and in fact may be the key to bolstering it, and Nicholson Kovac would like to lend its proven marketing communications expertise to help ‘The Last Plan Standing’ winner succeed.”

To be a part of this unique opportunity, visit www.lastplanstanding.com for information about how your new product or service could be named “The Last Plan Standing.” In addition, follow “The Last Plan Standing” on Twitter for updates about the contest @NKlastplan or visit www.facebook.com/NicholsonKovac.  Think Big Partners would like to encourage innovators, entrepreneurs, and big thinkers everywhere to go for it--sign up to be a part of "The Last Plan Standing" today!

For further information, please contact Renee Robinson, Nicholson Kovac’s Public Relations Management Supervisor at 816-460-3027 or at pr@nicholsonkovac.com.

Written by Allison Way. Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City’s newest entrepreneurial resources. To read more of Allison’s work, please visit the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.

Global Entrepreneurship Week: Imagine What Your Business Can Learn From 100 Countries, 10 Million People, and 40,000 Events...in One Week

The more the merrier, right?  The more people that attend a networking event, the more opportunities you have to make the perfect business connection.  The more people you interact with in a day, the more advice you can gain about your next big business idea.  The more people that come in to utilize your business, the more successful your business becomes.  

That's the idea behind Global Entrepreneurship Week: and with 100 countries, 10 million people, 40,000 and one extremely cool week-- entrepreneurs cannot help but celebrate the impact of numbers and the notion of "the more the merrier!"  

Happy Global Entrepreneurship Week, entrepreneurs!  This is the week to celebrate everything entrepreneur: from innovation to creation, from moving to shaking, from idea to successful business.  With over a dozen entrepreneurial events happening this week in Kansas City, a budding or seasoned entrepreneur cannot go wrong by attending some of the extremely beneficial GEW events.  But there is an even better way to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week—start up your own business today!

Kansas City entrepreneurs and small business owners can find total inspiration from a week-long celebration like Global Entrepreneurship Week.  By attending many of Global Entrepreneurship Week’s Kansas City events, such as Entrepreneurs in Motion, Central Exchange’s Celebration of Women Entrepreneurs, and the Fourth Annual Kansas City Small and Home Business Connection Expo, future entrepreneurs can gain beneficial advice and develop effective business ideas. 

With the involvement of 100 countries, 10 million people and the inclusion of 40,000 events, Global Entrepreneurship Week truly is a global movement that unleashes new ideas.  In a nutshell, GEW is a gigantic collaborative opportunity.  Since millions and millions of people are coming together for the event, Global Entrepreneurship Week is proof of the benefit of numbers.  Collaboration brings businesses together, molds creative ideas, and connects the most interesting and fast-paced people in this world—entrepreneurs. 

So, why not start today, entrepreneurs?  Find inspiration in one of the many Kansas City Global Entrepreneurship Week events and get started today—there’s no time like the present to think big, jumpstart your business idea and get going on a new successful business.  

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.