Think Big's Chris Shaw Joins Glass Explorers Program

Chris Shaw of Think Big Partners.

What began as a simple tweet has transformed into an incredible opportunity for Think Big Partners' Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Chris Shaw.  After answering @projectglass's Twitter prompt #IfIHadGlass, Chris was asked by Google to be one of the 8,000 people throughout the world to "test" the Glass computer hardware.  Chris immediately accepted and is now a part of the Glass Explorers program.

Google Glass is a head-mounted display unit that connects with a user’s mobile phone to allow for seamless communication over the web. Glass also has a video camera that allows for pictures and video to be streamed over the web.  Chris and the Glass Explorers will utilize the new wearable computer hardware this year as beta testers.

So what does Chris plan to do with Glass?  First of all, lets take a look at the tweet that Chris sent on March 27 to answer #IfIHadGlass:

According to a recent article on Forbes, Chris plans to use Glass in a personal way.  

“I’m both an entrepreneur and a new dad,” said Shaw. “As an entrepreneur, I give talks all over the world and I’m on the road a lot. So I want to be able to share those travel experiences with my daughter even when she’s at home.”

But additionally, Chris would like to explore how Glass can monitor health (like other wearable health hardware out there such as FitBit and Nike Fuel Band).

But these aren't the only two plans Chris has concocted as a Glass Explorer.  As a matter of fact, Chris will be making an announcement within the next 24 hours about exactly how he and the Think Big team will utilize Glass for the good of the startup community.  Stay tuned on our blog to learn more. 

Follow Chris's Glass experience: @MOChrisShaw

Why The Gigabit Challenge? Think Big Partners Answers

There has been plenty of buzz going around about The Gigabit Challenge.  But with advisory board members like Vint Cerf of Google and Dan'l Lewin of Microsoft, judges like Jeff Chambers of Alterra Bank and Michael Gale of Gramercy Private Equity, a $100,000 startup prize and an open application to all entrepreneurs, what's not to love about The Gigabit Challenge?

We could go on and on about the benefits of applying for The Gigabit Challenge.  But when it all comes down to it, why did we create The Gigabit Challenge in the first place?  What's the story here behind Think Big Partners and The Gigabit Challenge?

To be blunt, there isn't much of a story.  It started with a team of seven Think Big Partners members sitting down at a conference table at the bizperc coworking space.  It seemed like it would be a typical Think Big meeting; colorful Play-Doh was being formed into shapes, Herb Sih was talking a million miles a minute, and the team was scribbling notes in their black notebooks.

But then Google Fiber was brought up.  And the ideas came pouring in.

"How can we, as an organization, take action?"
"How can we involve the entire Kansas City community?"
"How can we foster more innovation with Google Fiber?"
"How can we create more jobs in and around Kansas City?"
"What can we do to help entrepreneurs launch their startup businesses?"

The answer seemed simple; a new business plan competition focused around Google Fiber.  Forty-eight hours later, the first press release went live.

Think Big Partners, first and foremost, kept the entire Kansas City community in mind.  As a team, we wanted to create an opportunity for anyone to get up-close-and-personal with Google Fiber--that's exactly why anybody (or, at least anybody with an idea) can apply for the chance to win $100,000 and work on the Google Fiber network.  We wanted to involve neighbors, friends, family members, strategic partners, competitors, small businesses, entrepreneurs, new startups, high-growth companies, and community leaders in order to foster a community-feel for The Gigabit Challenge.  Anyone is welcome to become a part of it--that's the beauty of our community-driven business plan competition.

Secondly, The Gigabit Challenge exists because we want new innovation to exist as well.  The goal of The Gigabit Challenge is not only to provide entrepreneurs with prizes geared toward launch and success, but to foster more innovation around the Kansas City area.  The Wall Street Journal has also defined us as an IT hub, Entrepreneurs Unpluggd has named us one of the top Entrepreneurial Cities and Forbes has claimed KC as one of the best downtowns in the America.  It's time to embrace these titles.  It's time for the innovation to roll in.

Finally, Think Big Partners wanted to take action...and quick.  With the announcement of Google Fiber coming to Kansas City early in the year, something needed to be done in order to generate Fiber fever.  The Gigabit Challenge was named one of the first Google Fiber initiatives in Kansas City.  And in our opinion, it is also one of the strongest.

So now it's our turn to ask you, entrepreneurs.  Why The Gigabit Challenge?  Why are you putting your best ideas forward this fall and applying for TGC?  There's no time like the present...and the prizes aren't too shabby either.

Think Big with a gig.  Apply today.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

KCADC Asks, "Are You Learning as Fast as Kansas City is Changing?"

Last week, the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) published a blog titled “Are You Learning as Fast as Kansas City is Changing?”  We would love to ask you the same question.

From the KCADC blog:

Bill Taylor, co-founder of Fast Company magazine and author of Practically Radical, is a firm believer in embracing the fast pace of the world. In his article, The 10 Questions Every Game Changer Must Answer, Taylor notes that the above question may be the most important to ask yourself. Are you keeping up?

“I first heard this question from strategy guru Gary Hamel, the world-renowned innovation expert, and it is the ultimate challenge for any executive determined to unleash big change in difficult circumstances. In a world that never stops changing, great leaders can never stop learning. How do you push yourself to keep growing and evolving—so your company can do the same? And remember: Among leaders and organizations, the most eager learners tend to be the most accomplished teachers as well. So look for ways to share what you’ve learned.”

— Bill Taylor, The 10 Questions Every Game Changer Must Answer

Kansas City, that’s the boat we’re in. We’re changing. We’re evolving. We’re learning. And with the addition of Google Fiber, we have the opportunity to do it faster than any other city in the nation.

Because of the Google Fiber initiative, our city will be forever changed. Many Kansas City organizations are joining forces with tech innovators to create new apps and businesses utilizing the lightning-speed network, and in turn, a number of big media names have put the spotlight on Kansas City; from the Wall Street Journal (Where the ActionIs – Kansas City) to Entrepreneurs Unpluggd (4Entrepreneurial Cities to Keep Your Eye On), from Forbes (America’s BestDowntowns – Kansas City #7) to Wired Magazine (Google ChoosesKansas City, Kansas as Broadband Mecca).

Is Kansas City learning as fast as the world is changing? Sometimes, it’s difficult to keep up with the speed (not only of the city…but of the Internet too!). So what can we do to slow down, embrace the change and fully understand what’s going on in our city?

It may all start at the Kansas City Area Development Council’s Annual Meeting on November 4^th.  Aptly named FastKC, KCADC’s Annual Meeting will feature keynote speaker Bill Taylor. At the event, Taylor and other Kansas City business and civic leaders will share how light-speed advancements in global commerce will affect business. The event will look at radical ideas and offer practical advice that will help anyone get a jump on the competition.

Join KCADC, Bill Taylor, Mayor Sly James, MayorJoe Reardon and hundreds of Kansas City thought- and industry-leaders at FastKC: KCADC’s 2011 Annual Meeting. Tickets are on sale now: Register today. And when people start asking if you’re learning as fast as the city is changing, you can confidently reply, “Yes.”

Written by Ashlie Hand

@ithinkkc @kc_next

KCADC Embraces Kansas City Speed: FastKC Annual Meeting

Kansas City isn't just growing--it's growing fast. 

How fast?  For one, Kansas City's Internet speed is soon to be the fastest in the world.  With the implementation of the Google Fiber network on KCK and KCMO's fertile soil, businesses will begin to run at the speed of light.  Because of the Google Fiber initiative that has taken a hold of Kansas City, our city has been forever changed.  Many Kansas City organizations, such as the KCADC, have embraced the lightning-speed network, and in turn, KC has been recognized by a number of big media names; from the Wall Street Journal to Forbes.

But the KCADC is asking one important question: is Kansas City learning as fast as the world is changing?  And that question will be answered at an upcoming KCADC event.  It's appropriately named FastKC: The KCADC Annual Meeting 2011.

At the event, the KCADC is inviting movers-and-shakers from the Kansas City area to listen to how light-speed advancements in global commerce will affect business.  The event will look at radical ideas and offer practical advice that will help anyone get a jump on the competition.

So who's all making it out for the KCADC Annual Meeting?  Join keynote speaker Bill Taylor (co-founder of Fast Company and author of Practically Rad) along with the Honorable Sly James, the Honorable Joe Reardon and major Kansas City businesses (such as Sprint, Garmin, Hallmark, the Kauffman Foundation, Lockton and others) to see what the fast buzz is all about.  FastKC will take place on Friday, November 4th at the Kansas City Convention Center's Grand Ballroom.

Act fast (just like our future internet)!  Sponsorship availability will end on Wednesday.  If you or your company wants to get involved, be sure to check out the Sponsorship page.

Interested in attending? Entrepreneurs, investors, technology enthusiasts, business owners and the like can register at the KCADC site for an individual seat and the chance to get in front of Kansas City's most prominent and influential people.

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig