What Will SEIN Analytics Do with $100,000 Gigabit Challenge Prize?

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR 

Since SEIN Analytics & Asset Management walked away with the $100,000 Grand Prize at The Gigabit Challenge Finale earlier this year, the Brooklyn-based startup has begun developing plans for 2012 that include hiring, creating deals, marketing and formulating new business structures.

Think Big Partners’ Gigabit Challenge was a global business plan competition looking for new applications to disrupt technology on the Google Fiber Network.  Prizes at the awards ceremony on January 18, 2012, included the $100,000 Grand Prize, which was awarded to SEIN Analytics & Asset Management, the People’s Choice Award, and a $250,000 Born Global Prize.

“I launched our prototype and turned my attention to getting feedback from others,” said Samuel Belu-John, CEO and Founder of SEIN Analytics.  “I looked for places to present our idea to.  I signed up for iStart and saw The Gigabit Challenge. There was a natural fit to what Google Fiber could do and what we were doing.”

SEIN Analytics & Asset Management is a new venture founded by a structured finance veteran and a team of dedicated designers, strategists and programmers. SEIN develops a data-centric cloud application for analyzing and managing asset-backed securities (ABS). The software standardizes loan level data and displays it in an easy to use form that financial institutions and investors can use to track and analyze ABS investments.

In a recent Silicon Prairie News article, Chris Bernard, startup specialist at Microsoft and Gigabit Challenge judge, commented that “...no other company did as good a job of showing how the cloud and fiber could help businesses solve big data problems that were previously the providence of big data centers and deep pocketed customers.”

“When we were watching other presenters [during The Gigabit Challenge], we felt as if our numbers were too small,” said Suk-Hyon Paek, COO of SEIN Analytics.  “But the truth of the matter is, our numbers were realistic.  We were very down-to-earth about our idea.  Everything we presented was based on reality.”

With the $100,000 Grand Prize under their belts, the SEIN Analytics team plans on putting every penny from The Gigabit Challenge into launching their business.  In 2012, Belu-John hopes to hire more developers to assist him in flushing out SEIN.  The rest of the SEIN Analytics team plans to handle the future of the company by focusing on building strategic alliances with potential partners, increasing the deal database, refining the existing pricing models, developing a staffing plan, and creating marketing and sales initiatives. 

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What's up with Paruzia Post-Gigabit Challenge?

David Eck and Jason Arnold of Paruzia Technologies celebrate their Gigabit Challenge win.

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR

Paruzia Technologies walked away with The People’s Choice Award during The Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18, 2012 and is now amplifying its marketing initiatives, bringing in new clients and analyzing their ability to use Google Fiber post-Finale.

Despite being one of the only startups that didn’t focus on software development at the event, Paruzia Technologies snagged the People’s Choice Award at The Gigabit Challenge Finale by winning 33% of the public vote. Now that Paruzia has been honored with this award, the small business from Grandview, Missouri is making new plans for a successful 2012.

“We had to put sales on hold during The Gigabit Challenge,” said David Eck, co-founder of Paruzia Technologies. “We are now shifting gears and bringing in new clients. The Gigabit Challenge has allowed us to further develop our platform.”

The Gigabit Challenge, powered by Think Big Partners, was a global business plan competition looking for new applications to disrupt technology on the Google Fiber Network. Prizes included a $100,000 Grand Prize, a $250,000 Born Global Prize and The People’s Choice Award, which was won by Paruzia Technologies via online poll.

“The People’s Choice Award was the best award we could have won,” said Eck. “It proves we know how to rally people together, that people like us and that people trust us. That’s what’s most important. But in addition, we needed what we won! Now, we have a place like bizperc to go to and a place to bounce ideas off others. We are looking forward to partnering and coworking.”

Paruzia 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.

“...in addition to giving the most polished and cohesive pitch at the event...[Paruzia Technologies] presented the best solution that could take advantage of fiber in Kansas City for small businesses,” said Chris Bernard, Gigabit Challenge judge, in a recent article in Silicon Prairie News.

Post-Gigabit Challenge, Paruzia Technologies has also decided to use The People’s Choice Award as a marketing tactic. The company is celebrating The Gigabit Challenge win by offering the first 10 qualified businesses a complimentary analysis on how to speed up workflow and how to cut costs. To learn more about this opportunity, visit http://www.paruzia.com and fill out the request form.

ABOUT PARUZIA TECHNOLOGIES:
Pauriza Technologies is a Grandview, Missouri-based cloud integrator that uses best-in-class products and services to deliver high-value IT solutions. Paruzia offers technology services such as hosted desktops and servers, backup, disaster recovery, email, collaboration, ERP, accounting, CRM and more. As modern-day abolitionists, Paruzia Technologies has a vision to end modern-day slavery and the sexual exploitation of women and children by giving 5% of revenue or 20% of its profit (whichever is greater) to anti-trafficking efforts in tandem with Exodus Cry. To learn more about Paruzia Technologies, visit http://www.paruzia.com.

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Microsoft Strengthens Kansas City Entrepreneurship and The Gigabit Challenge

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR
Every so often, a product comes along that completely changes the face of entrepreneurship.  In our opinion, Microsoft BizpSpark is this product.  Microsoft BizSpark is a global program that helps software startups succeed by giving them access to Microsoft software development tools, connecting them with key industry players (including investors) and providing marketing visibility to help entrepreneurs start a business.  Without a doubt, it's products like these from companies like Microsoft that are improving the startup world and enabling entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams.  


But Microsoft has gotten involved with entrepreneurship specifically in Kansas City as well.  As a partner for The Gigabit Challenge, Microsoft has offered much more to the entrepreneurial environment in KC.  In fact, Microsoft's own Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Design Startup Director and Advisor Chris Bernard has joined the judging panel and has helped to determine the top 19 Finalists to compete in the Finale event on January 18, 2012. 


With the Microsoft partnership, The Gigabit Challenge is better and stronger than ever before.  The global business plan competition is set on impacting the nation in a positive way and bringing more entrepreneurial ideas and aspirations to the Kansas City area.  Microsoft is helping The Gigabit Challenge do just that. 


A huge thanks to Microsoft for partnering for The Gigabit Challenge.  To read a full list of our partners, please visit http://www.gigabitchallenge.com.


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The Gigabit Challenge Announces Semi-Finalists

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR

The Gigabit Challenge announced the Semi-Finalists who will continue on in pursuit of the $100,000 Grand Prize, the $250,000 “Born Global”Prize and the opportunity to create disruptive innovation on the Google Fiber Network.  These Semi-Finalists were selected by a panel of judges including entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, public and private sector organizations, community leaders and other experts.  Executive summaries were judged based on market opportunity, growth potential, impact, brevity, clarity and how effectively the ideas utilized the Google Fiber Network.  The Semi-Finalist companies cover a wide range of applications including telemedicine, ecommerce, nonprofit fundraising, video delivery, digital city management and much more.

“The Gigabit Challenge is a great example of a community working together to capitalize on a fantastic opportunity for the region to connect with entrepreneurs, inventors and investors from around the globe to catalyze ideas that can change the world,” said Chris Bernard, Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Design Startup Director and Advisor for Microsoft, and a judge for The Gigabit Challenge.  “We congratulate all of those who entered the competition and we’re looking forward to the final round of judging.  We are proud to offer programs like MicrosoftBizSpark to the Semi-Finalists, which will help those startups and entrepreneurs focus on a great idea and get to market quickly.”

The Gigabit Challenge Semi-Finalists:

Abhi Ray, Heart To Heart Network Inc.

Adam Geller, Edthena

Andrea Tappy, ClassTap

Andrew Ying, Hong

Annie Hwang, Cloud Integration LLP
Bob Wray, CourthouseUSA LLC

Brendon Collier, SocialCloud

Brett Simpson, record life

Cecilia Bakker, Cecilia Bakker & Tim Brown

Corinna West, Wellness Wordworks

Dallas Kranker, Everything Computers LLC

David Windhausen, TiBi.tv

Don Peterson, BigIris.com

Eddie Tapper, GET-GIV-GOT System Technologies
Edgar Sarmiento, HuMuch?

Ellen Ervin, Connected-4-Learning

Ernie Johnston, iNet2

Fortunato Cardenas, Green Earth Aerogel Technologies

Jason Arnold, Paruzia Technologies

Jeff Stull, Risk Analytics LLC

Jeremy Kissell, Jeremy Kissell

Jim West, Somametric

Kristin Kenney, RE:Cite

Marc Canter, Digital City Mechanics

Mark Hellevang, Capital Infinity Research LLC

Mary Poehler, In Touch Beacon

Merlin Owens, East West TeleMedia International

Michael McKinzy Sr., Voter Integrity Party (V.I.P.)

Michael Shear, Strategic Office Networks LLC

S. Vaideeswaran, Damascus Fortune

Sally Smith, Esipro Technologies LLC

Samuel Belu-John, SEIN Analytics & Asset Management

Scott Hardiek, Virtual/Real World Wallet System

Seak Meng Lay, Photaic

Sonia Lin, Kauzu

Su Sanni, WeDidIt

Tim Sylvester, Integrated Roadways

Troy Norris, TalentHelix

Willow Lundgren, PlanetReuse LLC

Semi-finalists have until December 9, 2011 to submit eight to ten page business plans and Powerpoint presentations which will be reviewed by the judging panel.  Finalists will be announced on December 16, 2011.  At The Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18, 2012, the winners will be awarded a Grand Prize valued at $100,000 and a “Born Global” Prize of a $250,000 investment from Gramercy Private Equity.

“It has been a pleasure reviewing submissions for The Gigabit Challenge,” said Greg Kratofil, Shareholder at Polsinelli Shughart and judge for The Gigabit Challenge.  “It feels like I’m looking through time and getting a glimpse at what the future will hold.  I have been extremely impressed with the quality of the ideas and have little doubt about the opportunities enabled by gigabit speed.”

For more information about The Gigabit Challenge or to express interest in becoming a partner, please visit http://www.gigabitchallenge.com or contact Ann DeAngelo at (816) 842-5244.   

About The Gigabit Challenge:

The Gigabit Challenge is a global business plan competition to find disruptive ideas that will turn the tech industry upside-down and change the world.  The Gigabit Challenge is focused on unique applications that are enabled by Google’s first-in-the-nation 1 Gigabit Fiber network.  It is a business plan competition looking for the brightest, hungriest and most passionate entrepreneur superstars who are looking to think big...with a gig.  In early October 2011, individuals, teams and early-stage businesses were invited to enter for the chance to win the Grand Prize valued at $100,000 and be the first to work on the Google Fiber Network.  For more information, please visit http://www.gigabitchallenge.com.

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