iKC Invites You to its Closing Session & Celebration!

PHOTO CREDIT: ExploreKansasCity.com

From what we’ve learned after planning multiple events for entrepreneurs and innovators, some of the best conversations happen after the event doors close. And that’s precisely why we are inviting all iKC attendees as well as the general public to join us to the iKC Closing Session immediately after the iKC: The Unconference at 4:15pm at the Alamo Drafthouse downtown (sponsored by Google Fiber!).

What can you expect at the Closing Session? More than the typical event closing...

Drinks, Apps and Networking
What’s a closing ceremony without drinks, appetizers and networking? You’ll work up a thirst and a hunger during iKC: The Unconference, so be sure to walk over to the Alamo Drafthouse immediately after iKC for refreshments and power networking.

Open Mic Awards (Brought to you by the City of Kansas City, Missouri)
Did someone stand out to you during iKC? Did someone contribute something to the unconference and you’d like to give them recognition for it? Did you notice that someone stepped out of their comfort zone and participated in the unconference? If so, we want you to recognize that person! The City of Kansas City, Missouri’s Open Mic Awards gives you the opportunity to reward someone for their iKC participation or contribution during the Closing Session. Simply select a gift, step up to the microphone and speak to the crowd about who made a big impact during the unconference. (Oh, and did we mention we have gifts from Boulevard, Indigo Wild, The Kansas City Chiefs, Z Strike and more?)

The Tech Trek Premiere
We are thrilled to announce that the iKC Closing Session will also feature the premiere showing of The Tech Trek, a Google Glass-enabled documentary shot by local Kansas City entrepreneurs. The premiere starts at 6:30pm. Tickets to The Tech Trek premiere are free to iKC attendees and $10.00 for the general public.

As busy entrepreneurs, we understand that sometimes you just don’t have the time to attend a full-day conference. But if you’re anything like us, you also hate missing out on the action. So even if you are unable to attend iKC: The Unconference on October 3, we want to invite you to our iKC Closing Session. And trust us when we say you won’t want to miss out.

A special thanks to Red Bull, our sponsor for Closing Session beverages and DJ. Also, thank you to Google Fiber, our sponsor for the Alamo Drafthouse arcade. To see a full list of event sponsors, click here.

Think Big Innovations With Rachel Hack

Brad Feld ‘Experiments, Learns and Helps' Kansas City Startup Community with KC FiberHouse

Just in case you needed another reason to be excited about Kansas City’s startup scene: Last week, Brad Feld, Managing Director of the Foundry Group in Boulder, Colorado and co-founder of startup accelerator TechStars, announced that he bought a house in Kansas City, KS. 

People buy houses all the time, so why is this exciting?

Brad Feld’s house isn’t going to be any ordinary house, but rather a startup dream. A group of startups will be selected to live and work in the house for a year – rent free. Additionally, Brad won’t be taking any equity in the companies. According to his statement, “I’m using a ‘give before you get’ philosophy here to experiment, learn and help the Kansas City startup community.”

This announcement follows the increasing buzz about Google Fiber (which the house will be equipped with) and the Kansas City startup scene in general. Brad Feld, in addition to being an early-stage investor, has historically been a successful trend spotter. If this move is any indication, the consistent attention the Kansas City startup scene has been getting as of late isn’t going away anytime soon. If anything, this move is an indication that a movement is underway.

While the concept of free rent is new, the entrepreneurs-in-houses concept isn’t entirely new to Kansas City. Homes for Hackers and Kansas City Startup Village were both early adopters of the concept and both have had success with implementation.

In addition to being a draw for entrepreneurs, FiberHouse has opened one of their rooms on Airbnb for “fiber tourists” interested in getting as close to the entrepreneurial epicenter as possible.

As Feld says:

"I'm putting the thesis of my book into action by directly supporting a startup community that sees endless opportunities ahead. The winners will have access to Google Fiber and a neighborhood and city brimming with startup activity. They can take advantage of the many entrepreneurial programs and events offered by the Kauffman Foundation. And, lastly, I commit to take a personal interest in the entrepreneurs selected to live in my KC Fiberhouse and will do what I can to provide feedback and advice."

The application to live in FiberHouse is available through March 22. The applicants will be judged by a panel including Brad Feld, Scott Case of Startup America Partnership,  David Cohen of TechStars and Lesa Mitchell of the Kauffman Foundation. According to the site, applicants will be judged “based upon the innovative potential of their startups and their companies' ability to leverage Google Fiber.”

Interested applicants can apply here!

CityAge: Kansas City as the New American City

There's no doubt about it: Kansas City is becoming the new American city--full of innovation, creation and of course, entrepreneurialism.  From broadband explorations with Google Fiber to groundbreaking technology advancements from Sporting Innovations, from the rise of small business to the booming startup scene, Kansas City is flourishing.  

It's time to celebrate Kansas City--the New American City--by partaking in CityAge, a summit that will gather decision makers with leaders in business, experts in urban development and urban visionaries from both here in Kansas City and abroad.  The event will be a national and international dialogue on building--and rebuilding--our cities for the 21st Century.  It's the opportunity to become involved in the future of Kansas City...as well as the future of cities across the U.S.

With some of Kansas City's most well-known individuals such as Mayor Sly James, Wes Hardin (Burns & McDonell), Terry Dunn (JE Dunn), Bob Berkebile (BNIM), Mark Donovan (Kansas City Chiefs), Earl Santee (Populous), Julian Zugazagoitia (Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art), Peter Witte (UMKC), Major Joe Reardon, Kirk Hasenzahl (RareWire) and many others, as well as some big international and national names, CityAge will be a be a platform to determine the future of cities across the United States.  

CityAge Summit will take place December 3 & 4, 2012 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.  Tickets are on sale now ($395.00 one day rate, $495.00-$695.00 two-day rate) through online registration.  Having trouble justifying the cost?  Enter to win one of three tickets from the Social Media Club of Kansas City!  Fill out this form and a winner will be drawn on November 30, 2012.

Compute Midwest Debuts in Kansas City Nov. 8-11

It's much more than a typical conference.  It's more like a conference + hackathon + speakathon + party + networking event all crammed into 4 days.  That's what Compute Midwest is all about, and it's debuting in Kansas City on November 8-11, 2012.

Compute Midwest, organized by Kansas City IT Professionals (KCITP), is a 2-day convergence of tech centered around new people, new ideas and innovation in Kansas City.

What can you expect at Compute Midwest?

DAY 1: KICK-OFF PARTY

All entrepreneurs love a good party, don't they?  Compute Midwest is catering to the wild entrepreneur by throwing a kick-off party on November 8th from 6:00-9:00pm at The Cashew.  At the kick-off party, attendees will get the chance to network with other CM attendees and learn more about what the weekend will entail.

DAY 2:  IMAGINE THE FUTURE

Day 2 starts at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts where attendees can learn about what's next in technology straight from tech leaders, startup founders and visionaries.  Of course, as with many Kansas City events, there will be a lot of discussion about KC's Google Fiber.

DAYS 3 & 4:  CREATE THE FUTURE

It's hackathon time!  On November 10, Compute Midwest will host the first 24-hour app-building challenge ever on Google Fiber at the Google Fiber space in Kansas City.  There will be thousands of dollars worth of prizes...but the biggest prize of all may be getting the chance to develop a new app with the world's fastest gigabit fiber network.

Are you ready to network, learn, engage, and build with KC's growing tech scene? Purchase your ticket for Compute Midwest today.  To learn more about Compute Midwest, be sure to visit www.computemidwest.com or follow the event on Twitter at @ComputeMidwest.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig 

027 Think Big Radio: Google Fiber Update with Ryan Weber of KCNext

Ryan Weber, President of KCNext.

What’s new with the Google Fiber development in Kansas City?  Think Big Radio host Derek Olsen sits down with President of the Technology Council of Greater Kansas City (KCNext), Ryan Weber, to find out.  The two Kansas City natives (who both anxiously await the arrival of Google Fiber) talk about what the high-speed Internet means to the city and answer questions such as:

• What does Google Fiber mean for KCNext?
• Is Kansas City becoming an IT hub in the US?
• What groups are forming because of the Google Fiber implementation?
• How will KCNext help other major technology movements come to KC?
• What are the biggest challenges Google Fiber is facing?
• And more! 

027 Think Big Radio: Google Fiber Update with Ryan Weber of KCNext 

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Kansas City Named Tech Startup Hub by Entrepreneur.com

Big things are happening in Kansas City.  So big, in fact, that they are being recognized by the one and only Entrepreneur Magazine.  The entrepreneurial publication is beginning to turn its focus away from Silicon Valley and Silicon Alley to one of the emerging hubs in the central portion of the region...and it has zeroed in on Kansas City, Missouri.

Entrepreneur.com recently featured Kansas City in its 9 Cities You Wouldn't Think Are Hubs for Tech Startups.  Other booming cities such as Hoboken, Las Vegas, Portland and Boulder made the list, too.  But why is Kansas City #2 on the list?

According to Entrepreneur.com writer John Patrick Pullen, our beloved KC made the list for three reasons:

1.  Google Fiber:  Kansas City is preparing for an influx of innovation when it gets an instant tech infusion from Google Fiber, which will provide free, gigabit internet to 180 neighborhoods starting in October.  This announcement has led to the creation of Kansas City Hacker Homes, where entrepreneurs and developers can "couch surf" to use KC's Google Fiber service.

2. Launch KC: Launch KC is a city-sponsored initiative headed by Mayor Sly James to attract more startups with cheap office space and equipment subsidies.

3. Think Big Partners: Early-stage business incubator and startup accelerator TBP has been helping entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses since 2008.  With investments in local startups such as EyeVerify and inCharge, Think Big Partners is growing the entrepreneurial community, creating jobs and fostering startup growth.

Let's face it--Entrepreneur.com has got it right.  We could not be more proud to be a part of this flourishing tech startup hub.  Thanks to all of you entrepreneurs who are has made this honor possible.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

023 Think Big Radio: Inside Kansas City's Google Fiber Experience

Google Fiber Space in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Click to listen: 

023 Think Big Radio: Inside Kansas City's Google Fiber Experience

Kansas City isn’t just experiencing big things this summer...it’s experiencing fast things, too.  This summer, Google opened its very own home in KC and the location quickly became known as Google Fiber Space.  Google Fiber Space is a modern, techy place full of Google Fiber demonstrations, interactive video, hands-on activities and even free food!  It all sounded too good to be true...so we decided to take a look at Google Fiber Space for ourselves. 

Google Fiber Space is decorated with modern pieces
(and perhaps a nod to the Nelson-Atkins Museum?)

And it was better than we imagined.  We even had the opportunity to sit down with Google Fiber Community Manager Rachel Hack and ask her a few questions about Google Fiber’s implementation in Kansas City...and what we can expect next.  We asked Rachel about Google Fiber for business, the ins-and-outs of Google TV, Kansas City as the home of Google Fiber and we even took questions from people on Facebook and Twitter who had interesting questions about the high-speed Internet.  Want to hear what Rachel had to say?  Give episode 23 of Think Big Radio a listen (above).

Let's do this for Think Big! 

To learn more about Google Fiber, visit https://fiber.google.com/about/.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Inside Kansas City’s Google Fiber Space

This past Saturday, I was fortunate enough to tour Kansas City’s newly-established Google Fiber Space. Located at 1814 Westport Road, right in between KC’s Wesport and Plaza areas, the Fiber Space is a ridiculously awesome, nerd drool-educing neat, techy place that allows Kansas Citians to experience Google Fiber before it becomes commercially available.  The space is open to the public by reservation, which can be made here. I highly recommend checking it out.  The technologies on display are remarkable and exciting to say the least. If you can’t make it however, I took plenty of pictures and some video for your enjoyment.  Take a look: 

"Let's do this for..." is the rallying cry to encourage visitors to pre-register.

The stage doubles as a waiting room and event speaker space.

Inside the Fiber Space, glass walls carry the theme of "100 times the..." to get patrons to think of all possibilities. 

Speed test shows just how fast Google Fiber really is.

This small toy car world serves as an analogy to show how the internet has evolved and where it is going. 

(Top) The 2 terabyte storage box. (Bottom Left) The network box that provides fiber to the home. (Bottom Right) The TV box that will provide endless hours of entertainment.

This was the “Nerd Bot” art piece—an ode to Google’s Android platform. 

This live map keeps track of how many people have pre-registerd per Fiberhood.

A fiber space rep shows how you are able to mimic a laptop screen via in-home wireless.

The OnLive cloud gaming system's full potential can finally be exploited finally (thanks to Fiber!).

This cool mosaic is comprised of Chiefs and Royals player cards. 

A display from Sporting KC shows how Kansas City's soccer team will use Fiber when it becomes available.

Nerding out on so much tech can make a person hungry!  Refreshments and treats are provided by Mud Pie Vegan Bakery. 

Watch the video above for even more Fiber sneak peeks!

A Break Down of the Google Fiber Announcement

The announcement Kansas City has been waiting for finally arrived yesterday. Google has answered all of the questions Kansas City has asked for the past year including what Google Fiber is, what comes with the fiber and, perhaps most importantly, when it will be available. 

I’ll apologize for my geekiness now and if it seems like I’m salivating...it’s because I am.  Bring on the fiber!

Let’s start with the most basic question that Kansas City has been asking: What is Google Fiber? Generally speaking, fiber is a 1 gigabyte (1000 megabyte) per second symmetrical connection (which means 1 gigabyte per second upload and download speed). Current broadband speeds average around 5 megabytes per second. That means that a fiber connection is roughly 100 times faster than our current Internet speeds.  Yes, I am drooling. 

What Will Google Say on Thursday?

We are just as excited as the next person about Google Fiber's launch in Kansas City.  And we're even more excited that Google has announced that the launch will happen on Thursday. But is the launch really happening, or should we just expect another ambiguous announcement from the search engine giant?

According to The Kansas City Star, Google plans to fill in some blanks on July 26th.  The video (above), which was released last Wednesday, unveils what might be part of the marketing rhetoric for its coming service: 100 times faster Internet, 100 times the possibilities. 

The video also proclaims that the service "arrives on July 26th."  Will it really?  According to The Star and Google spokeswoman Jenna Wandres, "We haven't elaborated on what arriving means." 

So what can we expect on Thursday?  If Google has anything to do with it, we will have to simply wait to find out.  

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

What is Going on with Google Fiber (For Real)?

As we all know, Kansas City is on a mission to become the most entrepreneurial city in America. Why not start with lightning-fast internet from Google? 1,100 cities in the US applied and Google chose Kansas City to launch Google Fiber! The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City hosted an event (with pizza and beer!), called KC on the Map last night to learn more about what we can expect from Google. Rachel Hack (KC Google rep) and Adam Coomes (Kansas City serial entrepreneur) spent the evening discussing the possibilities of Google Fiber and what it means for KC.

Rachel Hack

Rachel Hack, the force behind Google Fiber in KC, explained Google’s vision for Google Fiber. “We’re supplying the infrastructure,” Rachel stated, “It’s [Kansas City’s] job to run with it”.

Google wants innovation; it’s pushing for it. “We want to inspire the next game changer, like YouTube”, says Rachel.

It has taken some time for Google to build its infrastructure, but Rachel says Google Fiber should be ready for business this summer. The gigabit of internet will start in residential areas and public buildings—like schools and libraries—with a possibility of commercial Google Fiber in the future. Google has had to build its customer service department from the ground up, since it hasn’t had to interact with individual customers in the past. Rachel explains, “This is the first time customers will see the face of Google so we 

want it to be good”.

What do we recommend you do right now, Kansas City?  Be patient. 

Adam Coomes

Adam Coomes is a repeat entrepreneur and now business consultant in the Kansas City area. He is also on the Chamber of Commerce steering committee to make KC the most entrepreneurial city in the US. Adam is excited about the possible innovations Google Fiber will inspire.

Adam’s personal startup, infegy, started in his house.  “We would sit in the living room doing hours of coding,” he explains. Since many startups begin in living rooms or basements, Google Fiber in residential 

areas may actually be necessary.

Adam has some advice for anyone looking to start his or her own business: “You need passion. You can learn the other things, but if you have passion, it won’t feel like work”. He also suggests participating in Startup Weekend or other hackathons in the Midwest. So get out there, entrepreneurs, and help KC with its goal!

Who would’ve thought a faster internet connection could spark so much innovation? Google foresaw this outcome, which is why it picked Kansas City. We are ready for the creativity that will flow from Kansas City with the implementation of fiber. With Google Fiber, KC is one step closer to its entrepreneurial goal—and if it’s on the horizon, we’re excited.  

teKC.org Launches With Tech-Based Users, Projects, Resources and Events

With the announcement of the Google Fiber implementation in Kansas City, the entire KC community seems to be even more obsessed with innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.  After all, with the Google Fiber launch, we can do even more, even faster.  What’s not to love about that?

Due to our recent obsession with fast technology, a new website called teKC.org has launched.  The website is a community-edited guide to the “awesome tech community” of Kansas City.  The site currently features 33 people, 16 companies, 14 groups, 4 projects, 77 resources and 10 upcoming events, the website is the place to go for all that is tech in Kansas City.

My favorite part of the website is the resources tab, a large list of organizations for entrepreneurs, developers, designers, investors and others.  In addition, the site displays all tech-related events going on in the Kansas City area, including CityCampKC and the KC Roundtable Breakfast. 

Join the technological movement in Kansas City and sign up for teKC.org.  If you’re a tech guru (or just love connecting with other movers-and-shakers in KC), this site is for you! 

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

GoogleConnectsKC.com...Did You Have Some Work Done?

If you've recently visited GoogleConnectsKC.com, you may have noticed that the site has undergone a bit of a...facelift.  That's because the new site has taken some of the best bits of different Google Fiber sites and has consolidated it all into one.  A huge thanks to the Social Media Club of Kansas City, the Mayor's Bi-State Innovation Team, MARC and the Kauffman Foundation for putting together this one-stop-shop for all things Google Fiber.

With contributors from organizations like the Social Media Club, Think Big Partners, KU Medical Center, MARC, Kauffman, KCSourceLink and KCPT, GoogleConnectsKC.com will strive to provide information about Kansas City's Google Fiber implementation, allow site visitors to contribute ideas and display a detailed Google Fiber calendar of events.

A huge thanks to everybody who has collaborated to bring Kansas City a new, informative Google Fiber website.  When we all work together, great things happen.

Follow GoogleConnectsKC! @GoogleinKC
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Is Google Fiber Fostering a New "Research Triangle"?

Photo: Lucie Debelkova, Business Insider

In the 1950s, three cities distinguished themselves as the Research Triangle—Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina became a hub for numerous high-tech companies and enterprises. The Triangle was also born from North Carolina State University, Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Companies within The Triangle include American Airlines, Cisco Systems, General Electric, IBM, Toyota, Verizon and many others, making it one of the most high-tech areas of the country.


On the other side of the country lies Silicon Valley—an obvious hub for tech startups, investors, entrepreneurs, coworking spaces and technology. The East and West coasts seem to be covered. The same goes for the North and South with booming hubs such as Boston and Austin.

But what about the middle of the country? What does the Midwest bring to the technology table?

Kansas City may be the answer.  After being selected as the city that Google Fiber is to build its 1 Gigabit Fiber network on, the city seems to be exploding with entrepreneurship, startups, innovation, new business and technology.

But the city doesn’t have to go at it alone. Silicon Valley is made up of multiple locations, as is Research Triangle. But what cities will help Kansas City become a hub for tech startups? Could we build a Triangle of our own?

Could the next city be Council Bluffs? According to the Des Moines Register, Council Bluffs, Iowa is undergoing a major Google Fiber makeover. Google is currently seeking federal permission to put a satellite antenna farm near the Council Bluffs data center, a move that experts speculate would enable the company to receive movies and TV shows that could be bundled with the super-fast Internet services in Kansas City.

Could it be Omaha? With major entrepreneurial initiatives such as Big Omaha, Silicon Prairie News and many others, Omaha seems to be taking the startup world by storm. It wouldn’t be too surprising if Kansas City’s next-door-neighbor, Omaha, continued to make major Midwest moves when it comes to entrepreneurship—especially being so close to Google Fiber.

Could it be Chicago? There are so many entrepreneurial initiatives going on in Chicago, it’s hard to keep up. And Kansas City already has made great ties to the Windy City’s initiatives—OfficePort CHI, Entrepreneurs Unpluggd and Kauzu (winner of the Born Global Award of Think Big Partners’ Gigabit Challenge). Chicago would greatly benefit from the Google Fiber network and could help to strengthen the Midwest with its big-city approach.

What do you think? Are there other cities in the Midwest that should strive for entrepreneurial success like Kansas City? Could the Midwest become a hub of entrepreneurship, innovation and technology? We can’t help but say yes—after all, anything seems possible with Google Fiber!

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig
Follow Google Fiber! @GoogleinKC

How Can Something So Small Create Something So Fast? Google Fiber to the Naked Eye

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR

On Monday, Google reported that it was installing “thousands of miles of” fiber optic cable for the development of the super-fast Google Fiber network.  Kansas City could not be more excited.

The lines are currently being installed between Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri and will soon branch out to all Kansas City consumers on both sides of the state line.  Once the fiber is live, Kansas Citians will have access to Internet that is 100 times faster than current broadband solutions.

But what does the Google Fiber look like?  According to Kevin Lo, the Google executive heading up the project, each cable contains many thin glass fibers, approximately the width of a human hair.  Google is currently taking these cables and weaving them into a fiber backbone. It’s a new type of high-speed infrastructure that Kansas City is happy to embrace. Google is then installing these cables into the upper portion of a utility pole (a space that would normally be used for electrical lines).  When officially launched, the Google Fiber network will provide speeds of 1 Gbps.

“We’ve measured utility poles; we’ve studied maps and surveyed neighborhoods; we’ve come up with a comprehensive set of detailed engineering plans; and we’ve eaten way too much barbecue,” said Kevin Lo.

Welcome to Kansas City, Google.

Follow GoogleConnectsKC! @GoogleinKC
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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.

Follow Paruzia! @Paruzia

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Winners of The Gigabit Challenge Announced at Finale Event

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR
Sixteen finalists, 19 judges and 300 attendees made for an outstanding Gigabit Challenge Finale at the Kansas City Public Library.  But among the buzz of networking attendees, the energetic music and a variety of influential speakers, there were 16 companies that had a completely different experience.  They were lucky enough to compete in The Gigabit Challenge Finale and they experienced the most exciting moment of all; standing on stage for the announcement of three winners.


Congratulations to our three incredible Gigabit Challenge winners!

The People's Choice Award


Paruzia Technologies: Paruzia works with small businesses who are frustrated with their current IT support.  Paruzia employs advanced technology solutions and works with business leaders who value making money, saving money and ensuring a position in the marketplace. 

The "Born Global" Award


Kauzu: Kauzu is a company that seeks to innovate the US employment industry, a 170 billion dollar industry, mainly generated from staffing agencies, online job boards and other smaller related services.  Kauzu belives in empowering the industry by providing a dynamic, digital online environment with unique tools to create timely connections.  Think eHarmony.com + eBay. 

The Grand Prize


SEIN Analytics & Asset Management: SEIN develops a cash-flow analytics application built on Adobe Flash Builder 4 in combination with a cloud database server.  The goal is to address the major concerns of investors in the space.  It will be the first fully functioning cloud computing ABS software that is both mobile and tablet friendly. 

We would like to thank all of our partners, volunteers, vendors, attendees, judges, advisory board members and Finalists who joined us for The Gigabit Challenge Finale tonight.  The event would not have been a success without you all.  Best of luck in your future endeavors and make sure to continue to think big...with a gig!

Follow The Gigabit Challenge! @GBChallengeKC

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Why Did Google Choose Kansas City for Fiber Project?

WRITTEN BY CLAYTON P. BURNETT, GUEST BLOGGER & LIVE BLOGGER FOR THE GIGABIT CHALLENGE FINALE

The wait is nearly over….

Web pages loading, videos downloading, music buffering—it’s all coming to end. 

All coming to an end, thanks to the Google Fiber project implementation in Kansas City.  “Layman’s terms” here, what is the Google Fiber Project and what does it mean for me? Simply put, Google chose Kansas City (don’t ask why...just take it) to deploy the fastest internet speeds in the world.  These speeds will pretty much transform your entire web experience and quite possibly help transform new web technologies for the world! 

So why did this supposed tech titan called “Google” choose Kansas City over the 1,000+ communities that applied for this opportunity?  We’re known for cows and BBQ, and not anything tech related...right?  First off, let’s go with luck.  Google will officially state that Kansas City was chosen because “we could build efficiently, make an impact on the community, and develop working partnerships with the local government, utility and community organizations.”  All well and good, and I buy it to some degree…but I’m thinking that we were awarded this prize because it’s probably a little more cost effective here in the Midwest.

The internet speeds that Google will provide are fast...really fast.  Like, 100 times faster than you probably have in your home right now.  So what is this going to do for you, and how can it “transform” your web experience?  Ultimately, home users can download and watch “cute kitten” videos on YouTube much faster, or stream Netflix in full HD.  “Great…that really transforms my life…thanks Google (heavy sarcasm)!”   While Google does care about your media consumption, there is a bigger picture here.  First; profit.  Businesses are in business to make money, right?  Google will make a few bucks off of this deal in the long run, not based upon providing the actual internet service, but mainly based upon their business model of ad revenue (faster/better internet experience = longer time online = more ad revenues).  Second, Google is a very “forward thinking” enterprise with a number of philanthropic ventures aimed at the “greater good” of the world.  And this venture is partly about innovation.  Kansas City; this isn’t charity to us.  We are just lucky they chose us as the test bed.  Given this opportunity, Google also hopes to spur innovation for new web technologies. Who knows what ideas and/or technologies this network will generate. 

One might think that Google would take a more active role in the development of these ideas and technologies, but alas, it appears that they are simply supplying the network and leaving the rest up to us.  I dig this approach, as it lets us “little guys” in on the action.  I can help make what I want of this project without a big bureaucratic control leading a painstaking process.  So ultimately, the success of this project really depends on the creativity of the Kansas City residents.  Again, Google has given us a “tool”—its potential use and application are up to us.  Kansas City, it’s time to think broad…and BIG!  Sure, this tool may improve our current businesses and home web experience, but the rest of the world (myself included) is looking at this opportunity for us to potentially create entirely new industries and technologies!

“So, uh…if it’s up to me, where do I even begin?”  Thankfully, a few local groups have stepped up to lead Kansas City’s efforts, including the Brainzooming Group, the Social Media Club of Kansas City, Think Big Partners and the Kauffman Foundation.  Under their leadership, we have been given the opportunity to vet our ideas to the world, and even have the chance to win seed/prize money for these ventures.

Kansas City has a infinite number of ways to benefit from this opportunity, so let’s focus on how amazing this opportunity really is.  The Mayor of Kansas City, MO was recently quoted in saying, "As a result of this announcement, we have become the most attractive city on the planet to entrepreneurs."  Yep, that’s right.  Because of this opportunity, Kansas City should see a good influx of tech-savvy businesses enter into our market.  A little bit of a stretch here, but Kansas City has a golden opportunity to become the next Silicon Valley of the world.

Now that I’m done telling you about the who’s, how’s and what’s of this project, I’m going to give you my own personal commentary and plea for ideas.  Kansas City and fellow earthlings, we have the opportunity to truly revolutionize the world.  I know what you’re thinking: Revolutionize the world?  Are you kidding me!?  I am not.  Technology is behind everything we do today. Even your common “ditch digger’s” job is, in some way, impacted by technology.   With this gift from Google, we have the opportunity to develop new ideas and technologies that can truly change and influence the way we do business, interact with media content, exchange ideas, etc., etc., etc.  But it’s up to all of us to come up with these “game changing” ideas.

Many have already been hard at work, developing ideas for how to best utilize this amazing gift from Google.  I’ve read through a number of the early ideas and some have novel merits, but honestly, none have made me stop and say “that’s a game changer.”  I recently read that we are now down to 19 finalists in The Gigabit Challenge, down from the original 113 entrants.  “Wait…did you just say only 113 entrants….are you kidding me….that’s it?”  Yeah, I’m a little perplexed that given this significant opportunity that only 113 people submitted ideas.  We all use the internet every day, we all interact with various mediums of content on a daily basis….are you telling me that we only have 113 people in this world with a semblance of an idea about how we could potentially leverage this great gift?  Honestly, I’m a little vexed by this.  Where’s my idea, you ask?  Oh yeah…forgot to enter I guess.   Ok, I guess there are a few barriers to entry; legal documents, protecting your intellectual property, etc, etc….so I don’t blame everyone for not entering….it probably was a little daunting.

So I want to make it clear, I am NOT discounting or discrediting any of the ideas in the competition, but I’m honestly wondering if we’ll see some truly “wow” ideas after Google Fiber is up and running.  Personally, I’d be a little afraid of vetting my idea in front of the world only to have it potentially stolen by somebody with much deeper pockets than myself.  So maybe I shouldn’t be discouraged by the ideas given so far.  Maybe this is an amazing start…better than we could have hoped for.  Start small, think big…and let that little seed grow.

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The Gigabit Challenge Reveals Order of Presenters for Jan. 18 Finale

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR


On January 18, The Gigabit Challenge will hold the Finale event at the Kansas City Public Library (Plaza Branch) in which the 19 selected Finalists will pitch their business plans to a panel of standout judges.  This afternoon, Scott Mize and Tyler Prochnow of Think Big Partners drew the order in which the Finalists will present:


GROUP 1
Risk Analytics, LLC
Photaic
Virtual/Real World Wallet Systems
Courthouse USA, LLC


GROUP 2
GET-GIV-GOT System Technologies
Kauzu
Green Earth Aerogel Technology
Somametric
Hong


GROUP 3
Digital City Mechanics
Strategic Office Networks, LLC
RE:Cite
Record Life


GROUP 4
Paruzia Technologies
Damascus Fortune
TiBi.tv
Voter Integrity Party
BigIris.com
SEIN Analytics & Asset Management 


Best of luck to all Finalists competing on the 18th! 


To register to attend The Gigabit Challenge Finale, please click here.  The event is free of charge and open to the public.  


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