Kauzu Kills It at the Gigabit Challenge and Leaves the Résumé for Dead

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR

Since Kauzu walked away with a $250,000 convertible promissory note courtesy of Gramercy Private Equity at The Gigabit Challenge Finale, the Chicago-based startup has been developing new plans for 2012 including partnership development, product development, fundraising and hiring.  

Think Big Partners’ Gigabit Challenge was a global business plan competition looking for new applications to disrupt technology on the Google Fiber Network.  Prizes included the People’s Choice Award, a $100,000 Grand Prize and the $250,000 Born Global Prize, which was given to Kauzu by Michael Gale of Gramercy Private Equity.

As one of the most energetic and creative pitches during The Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18, 2012, Kauzu captivated the audience and the judges with its unique spin on changing the US employment industry.  Kauzu seeks to innovate the $170 billion industry by providing a dynamic, digital online environment with unique tools to create timely connections.

“This was a win for our team, and that’s all I really care about,” said Mitch Schneider, CEO, Founder and Chairman of Kauzu.  “This gives my team a pat on the back.  It also creates visibility and exposure.  Gramercy, Silicon Valley Bank, Microsoft—they all want to see us succeed.  The validation is amazing.  It only propels our chance to succeed.” 

Kauzu 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. 

“This was another company that did a fantastic job with their pitch and connecting with the audience,” said Chris Bernard, Gigabit Challenge judge, in a recent article in Silicon Prairie News.  “I’m super eager to see what these guys do.  I think they have some unique ideas and a fantastic team.”

Mitch Schneider, CEO of Kauzu.

Post-Gigabit Challenge, Kauzu hopes to continue to develop more partnerships both in and outside of Chicago.  With these partnerships, Kauzu hopes to fund raise more effectively and more quickly to allow for cross-generating revenue.  The startup also hopes to start the hiring process in May.

“This experience has helped us form new partners and has allowed us to provide value back to new startups,” said Schneider.  “We are going to use other startup products so we can connect them with others too.  We want to open doors for others just like people have done for us.” 

In addition, Kauzu is planning another trip to Kansas City to connect with Think Big Partners’ accelerator and collaborative workspace and to strengthen more partnerships in Silicon Prairie.  Schneider also mentioned a two-location startup launch in both Chicago and Kansas City.

“Not every day is fun,” admitted Schneider.  “But at the end of the day, we all want to do this.  If I had a million dollars in my pocket, I’d still do this.  We do it because we believe in it and we think it’s fun.”


Follow Kauzu! @KauzuInc
Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

An Inside-Look at Choosing Gigabit Challenge Semi-Finalists

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR 

Buzz has been circulating around Google Fiber for months now.  But now, it may be The Gigabit Challenge's time to shine.  Yesterday, Think Big Partners announced that the business plan competition will be awarding a "Born Global" Prize valued at $250,000 from Gramercy Private Equity.  The winner of this competition will be announced on January 18, 2011 at The Gigabit Challenge Finale event which will be held in Kansas City.  

Choosing the winner will be a long and difficult process.  Many people do not realize how time-consuming and tedious judging a business plan competition can be--let alone one that is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars!

But Ashley Raiteri is providing the inside-look.  As a Gigabit Challenge judge and avid startup advisor, Ashley knows what it takes to launch a successful company.  Take a look at his thoughts on Google Fiber, where Kansas City is headed, and the state of the entrepreneurial nation.  Also, learn about what he thinks when it comes to judging The Gigabit Challenge:  

Read Ashley's blogpost here.

Remember: The Gigabit Challenge semi-finalists will be announced on December 6, 2011.  Stay tuned!

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Think Big Partners Announces Gramercy "Born Global" $250,000 Prize for Gigabit Challenge Winner

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR 

The Gigabit Challenge, a global business plan competition looking for entrepreneurial ideas to disrupt on the Google Fiber network, has partnered with San Francisco-based Gramercy Private Equity to offer a special “Born Global” Prize to its contestants.  The Gramercy “Born Global” Prize will take the form of a $250,000 convertible promissory note (CPN) investment from Gramercy directly into the winning contestant.  The prize will be awarded at The Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18, 2012, in Kansas City.  The “Born Global” Prize will be awarded to the contestant whose business idea has the best prospects of being rapidly implemented across the globe and leverages the increasing global nature of technology and digital media markets.

“Gramercy Private Equity is very excited to partner with The Gigabit Challenge.  We believe that this competition has the potential to push the envelope on applications for the next-generation Google Fiber platform,” stated Michael Gale, Managing Partner of Gramercy Private Equity.  “We see this as a significant opportunity for ourselves and other investors.  With our cross-border expertise, we plan to help the winner of the Gramercy ‘Born Global’ Prize to take their company global as rapidly as possible.”

Gramercy Private Equity will work with a group of The Gigabit Challenge judges that have particular expertise in global technology and business to select the winner of the Gramercy “Born Global” Prize.

“Think Big Partners and The Gigabit Challenge congratulate Gramercy Private Equity on their vision and leadership in establishing the Gramercy ‘Born Global’ Prize,” said Tyler Prochnow, co-founder of Think Big Partners, host of The Gigabit Challenge.  “We welcome them as a partner and look forward to great results.  We have been overwhelmed by the support The Gigabit Challenge has received in the four months since we announced the competition.  We were especially happy to receive 113 entries in the Challenge as of the November 18, 2011 deadline.  We have additional developments in progress and look forward to building on the leadership of Gramercy in the coming weeks.”

The semi-finalists will be announced by December 6, 2011 and will be invited to submit business plans due on December 9, 2011.  The Finalists will be announced on December 16, 2011 will be invited to The Gigabit Challenge Finale, a final pitch event and awards ceremony, that will take place in Kansas City on January 18, 2012.  For more information, please visit http://www.gigabitchallenge.com.

The Gigabit Challenge is actively seeking additional partners.  If you are interested in discussing this opportunity, or have questions regarding entering the competition, please visit The Gigabit Challenge website or contact Think Big Partners at (816) 842-5244.  

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Innovation, Globalization and the Startup Ecosystem

Think Big Kansas City speaker and managing partner of Gramercy Private Equity, Michael Gale, talks about these three important aspects and how entrepreneurship can grow in Kansas City and beyond—starting with TBKC.

It was 9:00AM in Kansas City, but 7:30PM in Mumbai, where Michael Gale was located when he and I conducted a one-on-one interview.  As he briefed me about how the beautiful the sun looked setting over India, I rubbed my eyes and yawned from lack of sleep and caffeine.  Although Michael and I were on complete opposite sides of the world, we were still able to collaborate with one another and talk about entrepreneurship, globalization, innovation...and most importantly, what he was looking forward to during Think Big Kansas City.

 “Entrepreneurship is important no matter where you are,” said Michael from half way around the globe.  “Big organizations do not innovate anymore.  Therefore, the growth of companies and job creation comes from entrepreneurship.  Innovation is risky—but you need entrepreneurs to do it.”

Michael Gale stays busy traveling around the world and managing Gramercy Private Equity, yet he somehow found the time to speak at Think Big Kansas City, the Premier Event for Entrepreneurs, Investors and Startups.  At the one-day conference, Michael will take part in Global Business: Going Big Overseas as a panelist and will act as a judge in Pitch Big: “Shark Tank” Style. 

“I’m looking forward to talking to bright and innovative people,” said Michael about TBKC.  “Usually, these people are very difficult to find.  If I leave this conference with one new, bright entrepreneur in my orbit, it was well worth it.”

Well, Michael, we guarantee that you will leave with at least that. 

Buy your ticket to Think Big Kansas City now and listen to Michael Gale (and many others) live!

Written by Allison Way

@AllisonThinkBig