Hovey Williams LLP Alleviates IP Worry in The Gigabit Challenge

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR 


There's something to be said about entrepreneurs who keep their business ideas under wraps during the first phases of development and launch.  Entrepreneurs who explore the world of intellectual property before they broadcast their business will have a leg up on any percolating competitors.  


But business plan competitions have to take intellectual property to a whole new level.  Because contestants are sharing their business ideas with advisory board members, organizers, judges, and the public (in a live pitch competition), many worry that their ideas could be swept under their feet.  But the entrepreneurs participating in The Gigabit Challenge do not have to worry about this--they've got Hovey Williams.


Hovey Williams LLP is a Kansas City-based law firm that specializes in patents, trademarks and all things IP.  Hovey Williams LLP has been preserving the unique ideas of inventors and creative minds alike for over 80 years.  As a specialized intellectual property law firm, Hovey Williams offers a full range of IP services including assistance with patents, trademarks, copyrights and IP litigation.


Which is exactly what many Gigabit Challenge contestants need!  As the Finalists take the stage on January 18th during The Gigabit Challenge Finale, they are going to want to have their intellectual property in line.  And this is exactly where Hovey Williams LLP can come into play.  A huge thanks to Hovey Williams for partnering for The Gigabit Challenge and donating their time and expertise to entrepreneurs in Kansas City and beyond!


Follow The Gigabit Challenge! @GBChallengeKC

The Gigabit Challenge Deadline Hits November 18, 2011

The end of November means a lot of different things for a lot of different people.  For some, it may mean Thanksgiving feasts and spending time with family.  For others, it may mean putting up Christmas lights and shopping on Black Friday.  For the entrepreneurial world though, the end of November means the start of The Gigabit Challenge.

Entrepreneurs, this is your time to shine.  The Gigabit Challenge is a worldwide business plan competition looking for the hungriest entrepreneurs with the brightest ideas to turn the tech industry upside-down on the Google Fiber network.  Not only does The Gigabit Challenge have a prize valued at $100,000, but it also allows one entrepreneur to build out a game-changing idea on the fastest network in the world.

But time is running out.  The deadline for executive summaries and applications is on Friday, November 18, 2011 at midnight.  Applicants must submit a 3-5 page executive summary by this time in order to participate in The Gigabit Challenge.

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  Apply for The Gigabit Challenge today and turn the technology industry upside-down. 

But wait: there’s more!  The Gigabit Challenge has received an incredible number of high-quality entries throughout the past few weeks.  With submissions from a number of different states and a handful of foreign countries, The Gigabit Challenge wants to get everybody involved.  Interested in joining The Gigabit Challenge team?  Ask us about our partnership opportunities that are currently available.  You can contact us at adeangelo@thinkbigpartners.com or call 816.842.5244. 

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

bizperc Perk: The Idea Board!

Although many bizperc tenants love the coworking space's free popcorn, legal consultation, and bottomless coffee, these "perks" are not the number one reason that Kansas City entrepreneurs and startups rent out the office space.  The main reason is to network with others and to get ideas percolating.

Which is why bizperc has implemented the "Idea Board", where anybody--not just tenants, but walk-ins, passerbys, and even the FedEx guys--can bring their ideas to life on a simple white board and get input from others.  It is a testament to collaboration.  And that's what bizperc is all about.

So stop by.  Write on the board.  See what other people think.  You never know what amazing idea can blossom from writing it on a simple white board with a black marker!

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

25 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before 25

If you were to go back and do it all over again, what would you do differently?

Would you have planned better?

Would you have spent your money more wisely?

Would you have drunk more coffee?

Most entrepreneurs wish that they would have known more before they started their businesses.  A few minor tweaks before launching a business can define a business’s success or determine its failure. 

New entrepreneurs, pay attention.  Check out the 25 things entrepreneurs wish they would have known at age 25, before starting their businesses.   

1.  I wish I would have…saved more money

2.  I wish I would have…researched more about entrepreneurship

3.  I wish I would have…realized how important a partner or co-founder is

4.      I wish I would have…thickened my skin, fast

5.      I wish I would have…known that whacky is good

6.      I wish I would have…known to focus on changing the game, not competing

7.      I wish I would have…been more patient with my business

8.      I wish I would have…not second guessed myself

9.      I wish I would have…known that friends don’t always make the best partners and employees

10.   I wish I would have…explored more capital-raising options

11.   I wish I would have…known that test runs are critical

12.   I wish I would have…marketed my business by assuring clients “I can help you with your problem”

13.   I wish I would have…gone to a mentor when I was frustrated or needed advice

14.   I wish I would have…been warned that some people will let you down

15.   I wish I would have…learned the importance of a work-life balance

16.   I wish I would have…known the real secret to entrepreneurship: coffee

17.   I wish I would have…kept up to date with technology and software

18.   I wish I would have…built a stronger brand from the start

19.   I wish I would have…read more

20.   I wish I would have…known that being shy is a waste of time

21.   I wish I would have…focused more on what the people want, not what I want

22.   I wish I would have…known that life isn’t fair

23.   I wish I would have…networked my butt off

24.   I wish I would have…continued to take classes and attend seminars

25.   I wish I would have…known what I was getting myself into

What do you wish you would have known when you were 25? Comment below and let the world know!

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners, Kansas City's mentorship-based business incubator and startup accelerator.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner as well as her articles on Helium, BrooWaha, eZine and Newsvine. 

Midwestern Small Businesses Turn to Silicon Prairie for Startup News, Entrepreneur Opportunities, and Business Ideas

Today, we would like to spotlight Silicon Prairie, a blog and event producer founded in Omaha, Nebraska in July of 2008.  The company posts interviews with entrepreneurs and small business owners, gives updates about startup companies, announces and hosts business events, and provides entrepreneurs with business opportunities and startup advice. 

Silicon Prairie provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with numerous startup opportunities and business events, including Creative Capital Pitch Session, the Big Omaha conference, Omaha Tweetups, The Omaha Blog Co., Barcamp Omaha and Highlight Midwest.  All of these entrepreneur events are designed to bring together the region’s startup companies and the people who envision them; serious entrepreneurs.

So if you want to read up on the latest startup news, successful business ideas, and Midwest entrepreneur opportunities, visit the Silicon Prairie website.  On the site, you will be able to watch interviews with successful entrepreneurs, creatives, and investors, read features such as the Weekly Wrap Up, Five in Five, and the Tools for the Trade. 

In addition, Silicon Prairie displays other business events that are taking place in the Midwestern region.  This week, Silicon Prairie highlights the Iowa Venture Capital and Entrepreneur Conference taking place today at the Hy-Vee Hall Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. 

Visit Silicon Prairie and read up about what our neighboring entrepreneur promoters and advocates are doing to enhance entrepreneurship in the Midwest and give recognition to successful Midwestern startup companies and small business leaders! 

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