Our Blog Has Moved

Thank you for visiting the Think Big Partners Blog. In an effort to simplify, we’ve moved this blog in-house to www.thinkbigpartners.com/blog. Feel free to read through our posts here, or join us over on the new blog for the latest news, thought leadership and great advice for entrepreneurs. Thanks for visiting!

Sincerely,

Think Big Partners

Top 5 Reasons You Need to Be at iKC 2013

iKC: The Unconference is all about taking great ideas and turning them into action.  So why do you need to be at the unconference on October 3?  

1. You decide the topics you want to talk about At an "unconference," attendees submit and vote on ideas ahead of time to decide what the day's agenda will look like.Therefore, what the conference looks like is entirely up to you. Submit your ideas here.   2. Increase collision density in Kansas City Collision density is the level of collisions made between entrepreneurs, innovators, connectors, and investors in a single area. The higher an area's collision density, the more quickly and efficiently innovative development can occur. 3. This isn't a lecture hall. iKC incorporates the "Law of Two Feet." Unconference Rule #4 says, "if you're not learning or contributing, it is your responsibility to use your own two feet to find someplace where you are." If the session you're in is not a good fit, we encourage you to go find a conversation that makes more sense for you. 4. Get 1-on-1 mentorship from some of KC's most respected entrepreneurs and business leaders We're lining up some of the city's most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders for the UnMentor Program. Apply for the UnMentor program and you may have an opportunity for a 20-minute session with one of our UnMentors during the conference.   5. The After Party. No, really.  At 4:15, we'll head to the Alamo Drafthouse for the iKC Closing Session (sponsored by Google Fiber) where you can enjoy free drinks and appetizers. There will also be Open Mic awards where attendees can grab the mic and personally award prizes to a person they think had the most impact on their day. Plus! At 6:30 p.m., you'll be one of the first to see The Tech Trek, a Google Glass-enabled documentary, and learn all about the capabilities of Google Glass from the eyes of KC entrepreneurs.  **This screening is free for iKC attendees. General public tickets will become available if space permits. Claim your iKC ticket today! We will see you October 3!

Fired up from 1Week KC? The Next Big Entrepreneur Event is On Its Way!

There’s no doubt about it--the second annual 1Week KC event was a huge success.  We saw more innovative collaborations, more networking, and more ideas than any other single week here in Kansas City.  But now we need to focus on what we should do with all of the great ideas we developed during 1Week KC.  That’s where iKC: The Unconference comes into play--it’s the opportunity to take all of the great ideas you’ve generated and turn them into action. 

What is iKC: The Unconference?  

First, allow us to define “unconference” for you.  An unconference is an open format conference that facilitates activity, conversations and collisions between individuals. Attendees actively create the unconference agenda with the assistance of a skilled facilitator where all the sessions become relevant and engaging. 

iKC: The Unconference is unlike any other Kansas City conference you’ve been to before.  iKC is a brand new way to  unite entrepreneurs and innovators in Kansas City and initiate action throughout the community. 

Here’s How It Works!

1. Submit a Topic:  What the day looks like is entirely up to you!  If you have a great idea, submit it to iKC: The Unconference.  Who knows?  An entire session may be built around your idea. 
2. Come to the Unconference: On October 3, join us at iKC: The Unconference and see your ideas come to life!  
3. The Agenda is Created: Based off of your submitted ideas, the iKC agenda will be created.  The morning of the unconference, you will see which ideas become conference topics.

Take Action Now

Unconferences are only as successful as the ideas that people submit for them.  We’re asking you, Kansas City, to submit topic ideas that YOU want to see covered at iKC!  From your submitted topic ideas, we will create the schedule for iKC.  Remember; no idea is too crazy (we’ve already had one submission about nap time increasing productivity!). Submit your ideas here.

Sponsor iKC

iKC is looking for sponsors to become a part of the unconference!  Interested in sponsoring? Click here.

iKC: The Unconference will take place on October 3, 2013 at H&R Block World Headquarters in downtown Kansas City.  Tickets go on sale on August 1.  

Phone2Action Joins Microsoft, Google, AT&T, BlackBerry and Others for CES on the Hill

What does KC startup Phone2Action have in common with Microsoft, Google, AT&T and BlackBerry?  These companies, and many others, are being spotlighted at the nation's capital today as a part of CES on the Hill (produced by the Consumer Electronics Association).

An invitation-only event, CES on the Hill brings together members of Congress, key Hill staff and top media to see first-hand the influence new technologies have in driving some of the most critical, current technology policy debates including intellectual property and conumers' fair use rights, privacy, secure access to health care services, wireless spectrum allocation, e-cycling and safe driving.

New for this year, CES on the Hill includes a dedicated Eureka Park showcase for some of the hottest startups and entrepreneurs in the nation.  Phone2Action, a Think Big Accelerator company, will be spotlighted among other startups such as Aereo, AWARE Technologies, FutureDash, Dock-n-Lock, SubPac and Troop ID.

In addition to startups, CES on the Hill will feature companies that address the most pressing tech policy issues.  These companies include AT&T, BlackBerry, DIRECTV, DISH, Google, Intel Corp, LG, Microsoft, Panasonic, Pandora, Samsung, Verizon and others.

A big congratulations to Phone2Action for being selected to showcase at CES on the Hill today!  We are rooting for you here in Kansas City.

Learn more about Phone2Action: @Phone2Action 

Thank You, Kansas City! Think Big Named Top 4 Brand in KC

Although we are no longer competing in KCSourceLink's Battle of the Brands (we got beat out by one of our favorite Kansas City companies, The Roasterie), we have to say, it's been quite an exciting run.  

We were nominated to participate in the Battle of the Brands back in 2012 as well...and let's just say, we weren't nearly as successful.  Back in 2012, we were beat out in the very first round by Rainy Day Books.  We were sad, but it certainly didn't cramp our startup style. 

This year was different.  We are extremely proud to say that we claimed the title of most recognized brand in the Innovation-led category by squeaking by other innovative companies such as OverKC, MySmartPlans, Barkley and Integral Computer.  We were absolutely thrilled to make it to the Fighting Four...and we have you, our fans and brand advocates, to thank.

We cannot thank you enough for your support and votes.  It's because of you that Think Big Partners can continue to grow and strengthen the Kansas City entrepreneurial community!  So thank you, Kansas City, for naming us one of the top 4 brands in the metro area, and for the past three years of support. 

Follow us: @thinkbigKC  

Don't Miss Out on the Innovation! Hackovate Health Finale Agenda

Don't miss out on the Hackovate Health Finale on Tuesday, February 26 from 12:30-8:30pm!  Here's what you can expect: 

12:30 PM Registration & Check-In (All day)

1:00 PM Welcome & Introduction

• Tyler Prochnow, Senior Partner & Co-Founder, Think Big Partners
• Paul Richardson, Business Development, H&R Block
• Ramsey Mohsen, Director of Social Media, DEG

1:20-3:00 PM Finalist Presentations Group 1 

• My Healthcare Reform Guide by eXperient Interactive & Useagility Video
• ReMARK Health
• HealthPlan Select by Strenuus
• OkCopay, Inc.
• NAYA JEEVAN REJUVENATE

Address from Senator Jerry Moran

Break

3:15 -5:00 Finalist Presentations Group 2

• SHHADE
• eLuminate Health
• Aavya Health
• GetHealth
• inAssist Health Management Solution

Vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice Award! Send your one vote from 5:00-5:40PM by texting the CODE to 22333.

5:00-5:45 Innovation Address

• Herb Sih, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Think Big Partners
• David Kord Murray, President, Kord Consulting Group
• Kush Saxena, Chief Strategy Officer, H&R Block
• Ned Holland, Assistant Secretary for Administration, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

5:45-6:00 Awards Presentation & Closing

• Google Fiber People’s Choice Award
• Cash prizes from H&R Block

6:00-8:30 Community Address and Closing Reception

Haven't registered for the Finale yet?  It's not too late!  Register here. 

Learn more about Hackovate! @Hackovate 

In Case You Missed It...Kansas City Startup Crawl Recap

The evening of Friday, February 8 was Kansas City’s inaugural Startup Crawl. As the buzz built for weeks, and the RSVPs stacked up, everyone seemed to be wondering exactly how things would shape up. An event of unprecedented scope and partnership, the Startup Crawl, organized by Red Nova Labs (the mastermind behind Venture Fridays), showcased some of Kansas City’s fastest-growing startups.

I was lucky enough to attend Startup Crawl from start to finish (or should I say from Kauffman to Startup Village). Here’s a little recap of exactly what my crawl looked like:

STARTUP CRAWL STOP 1: The Kauffman Foundation

I started at the Kauffman Foundation at 4801 Rockhill Road. The Kauffman Foundation is perhaps the single largest source of support for Kansas City entrepreneurs. Host of the weekly forum 1 Million Cups, a meeting which gives two companies the opportunity to present to a wide range of Kansas City entrepreneurs, mentors, and advisors, the Kauffman Foundation is near the epicenter of the Kansas City startup scene.

The organization’s dedication to exposing local companies to broad audiences showed in their food selection alone. Given prominent placement at the food table were local companies like Milk & Honey, creators of flavorfully innovative, artistic, and original French Macaroons.

Milk & Honey macaroons were full of complex flavor and texture

Other local flavors showcased at Kauffman included Farm to Market bread and fruit tarts from the Berry Nutty Farm (shown below) as well as an assortment of Boulevard beer at the open bar (plus white and red wine).

Locally-made finger foods like these fruit tarts were a real treat at Kauffman

In addition to the gourmet finger foods and beverages (including a soda refrigerator full of Mountain Dew!), Kauffman also had a variety of activities. You could attend Marketing Trivia, with a new game starting every 15 minutes, or you could have your photo taken at the Kauffman Lab photo booth (the pictures will soon be uploaded to their Facebook page). You could even write your Twitter handle on the networking whiteboard, or engage in the main draw of the evening: conversation. Walking through the room, I could hear dozens of people networking – explaining what they did, why it mattered, and how they could potentially connect with the person they were talking with. The room was humming with energy, insight and prospect.

A Kauffman Labs photographer was on hand to take pictures for their Facebook page

STARTUP CRAWL STOP 2: Think Big Partners

After a half hour at Kauffman, the shuttle arrived and we boarded. The shuttle ride was heated, spacious and relaxing. Our next stop was Think Big Partners at 1800 Baltimore. Choosing the stairs over the elevator, it was exciting to hear the conversations grow louder with each step. Upon walking through the glass doors, the first thing to be noticed was the Roasterie coffee bar, Kansas City’s great coffee company being a staple in the Thing Big offices. The next was the panoramic view. The third was the keg of Boulevard Wheat beer, which a group of Kansas City entrepreneurs were heartily enjoying. Tyler Prochnow, senior partner and co-founder of Think Big Partners, was welcoming visitors and readily answering any questions they had.

The Roasterie coffee bar with the Kansas City skyline as a backdrop

But the beer wasn’t the only thing keeping people flowing through the doors at Think Big Partners. The sprawling office space, with its panoramic views of the city and multiple stories of collaborative use, was thoroughly engaging. Revdel, a cloud-based events-scheduling service provider founded by Patrick Stoddart, was being showcased on the fourth floor.

The 6th floor of Think Big Partners houses the stunning bizperc event space

The fourth floor of the building boasts meeting rooms, a productivity center, a resource library, a kitchen, a mailroom, and Roasterie coffee bar. More established startups and entrepreneurs are housed on the fifth floor, including reclaimed material marketplace Planet Reuse, mobile banking platform Dwolla, and community engagement platform Mindmixer, to name a few. CandyCam Multimedia Robotics was even demoing their Skyhook Prototype, an innovative approach to camera technology that will certainly be a game changer (shown below).

The Skyhook Prototype is a fascinating, mathematically brilliant innovation in camera technology

STARTUP  CRAWL STOP 2: OfficePort

The next stop on the tour was OfficePort, a coworking space at 208 W. 19th Street. Outside the office, the iconic Roasterie Airstream was serving hot coffee. After getting a coffee warm-up, we walked inside and were greeted by friendly staff.

The Roasterie Airstream made an appearance outside OfficePort

The OP staff explained the OfficePort concept: a month-to-month office space rental that can be scaled to meet your size needs at any time. The innovative office space concept felt highly conducive to collaboration and creativity. In addition to boasting a roof-full of solar panels, OfficePort also houses EventPort, a 3,000 square foot event space which is often used for performance events.

The month-to-month, on-demand sizing concept ensures that startup companies can grow at their own pace

OfficePort was highlighting its collaboration with Kansas City B-Cycle, a membership-based city-wide bicycle rental concept. Right next to the bicycles was an open whiskey bar, an OfficePort Friday tradition. The room was full of Kansas City entrepreneurs networking and having fun. The mood was relaxed and inviting.

Just one of the many whiskey’s available for tasting at OfficePort

STARTUP CRAWL STOP 4: BetaBlox

Next up on the tour was BetaBlox at 3101 Mercier. BetaBlox, a seed accelerator/startup incubator, is housed in the incredibly unique Downtown Underground. Because of the nature of being housed underground, it doesn’t require heating in the winter or very much cooling in the summer.

The Downtown Underground is an innovative entrepreneurial environment

We weren’t sure what to expect from an underground office, but we were pleasantly surprised. Similar to other stops on the tour, BetaBlox had Boulevard beer on tap. The mood at BetaBlox felt more focused on the networking aspect of the tour, with beer and snacks being all they needed to inspire countless conversations among guests.

The stripped-down feel of BetaBlox radiated focus on the work

The space at BetaBlox was impressive, with the exposed limestone underground drawing a lot of attention from visitors. BetaBlox had the feel of a lean startup environment akin to an early-day Facebook. While the space didn’t have the city views of some of the other spaces, it was nonetheless captivating. The room was alive with energy.

The exposed and painted limestone was of high interest to guests

STARTUP CRAWL STOP 5: Red Nova Labs

Our next stop was Red Nova Labs at 4830 Rainbow. Red Nova Labs is a diverse work space, housing web developers, marketing agencies and technology think-tanks in its large space. A keg, self-serve bar and food center (including hot dogs!) and ping pong table set the fun mood.

Red Nova Labs made sure to create a fun, engaging environment

Local startups were being showcased around the room. The CEOs of Ruxter and BuzzMeDo, mobile marketing platforms changing the ways companies communicate with companies, were manning an information booth and networking. The Kansas City Cupcake Co., a company which makes custom cupcakes for businesses, was sampling their different varieties. Stand Up For Good, a community mobilization platform, and KC Roundtable, an entrepreneurial leadership group, both had networking tables as well.

Ruxter and BuzzMeDo were two of many companies networking at Red Nova Labs

Like so many other spaces we had seen over the course of the evening, it was clear that the space at Red Nova Labs was intentionally designed with collaboration in mind. The open floor plan, centrally located kitchen, and multi-level space all encourage startups and entrepreneurs to create together.

The hot dog bar was a big hit with guests

STARTUP CRAWL STOP 6 (LAST STOP!): Kansas City Startup Village

Our final stop of the Startup Crawl was Kansas City Startup Village at 4454 State Line Road, a grassroots entrepreneurial initiative. We were surprised when the shuttle pulled up to a house! Upon entering, however, it was clear this was no ordinary space. Innovative startups lived inside – from the mobile search app Leap2, to the mobile authentication app EyeVerify, to the social voting platform SquareOffs, to multiple others, the house was packed to the brim with startups.

The Weston Brewing Company showcased their entire selection

The house was packed with guests who were enjoying regional brewery Weston Brewing Company’s entire selection. A live band filled the air with music, and a fire pit kept the outside guests warm. The offices inside were spacious. One can only imagine how much collaboration a typical day brings.

What on the outside looks like a regular house turns out to be an innovation nexus on the inside

Since this was our last stop, we stuck around for a little while and enjoyed the music and conversation. It felt like the perfect end to an unprecedented evening.

A bluegrass band completed a fun-filled evening

Carrie Royce, co-founder/CMO/CSO of Red Nova Labs and organizer of the Venture Fridays Startup Crawl, did an amazing job organizing this event. Unprecedented in scope, the Startup Crawl shined a bright spotlight on the Kansas City startup scene. If it wasn’t before, it is clear now that Kansas City is full of entrepreneurs who are bringing innovative, game-changing products and services to the world. The sheer proximity to so much creativity was stunning. Whether you were an industry veteran or a first-timer looking to learn more about the Kansas City startup scene, this event had something for everyone.

It was clear throughout the evening that every participant in the Startup Crawl had invested time, money and thought in how best to facilitate networking in their respective spaces. These initial investments are investments in the future. Throughout the evening I kept thinking about how much money was being generated through the crawl, in terms of future collaborations, inventions and companies that will be created from networking. It might not be immediate, but eventually the fruits of the startup crawl networking will show, and if the countless conversations throughout the night are an indicator, they will occur in abundance. So while this startup experience was fun and informative, it was also a boon to the local economy. Here’s to the future we’re creating together, and to more events like this one that help make such a future possible.