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Thank you for visiting the Think Big Partners Blog. In an effort to simplify, we’ve moved this blog in-house to www.thinkbigpartners.com/blog. Feel free to read through our posts here, or join us over on the new blog for the latest news, thought leadership and great advice for entrepreneurs. Thanks for visiting!

Sincerely,

Think Big Partners

City of Kansas City Answers Small Business Questions During Public bizperc Office Hours

What kind of marketing data and research can I obtain from Kansas City?  What kind of technologies will aid me and my small business this year?  Am I following all of the city requirements to run an efficient business in Kansas City?

Entrepreneurs, we know you have all of these questions.  And now, you can get answers during bizperc's FREE office hours!


On Wednedsay, January 16, bizperc will be hosting public office hours for small business owners and entrepreneurs in conjunction with KC BizCare and the city of Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas City entrepreneurs, small business owners and members of the bizperc coworking space are invited to register for free office hours and ask questions about small business requirements in KC, Kansas City resources and how to obtain data about the city of Kansas City.

Office hours will be run by John Pajor of KC BizCare, who will answer questions that entrepreneurs and small business owners may have about city requirements as well as small business resources in the community.

Millie Crossland, technology project liaison for Kansas City, Missouri will inform entrepreneurs and small business owners on how to research and find local data, city statistics and censuses about KC small business.  In addition, Millie will provide information about the many innovative ways the the city of Kansas City uses breaking technology.

The free two-on-one bizperc office hours will take place on Wednesday, January 16 from 12:00-3:00pm.  In order to sign up for your 30 minute time slot, please email Sarah Snyder at sarah.snyder@thinkbigpartners.com.  Office hours will take place at bizperc (1800 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO) on the 4th floor.

Follow bizperc! @bizperc

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

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

KCNext Champions Gigabit Challenge Finale on Jan. 18

KCNext (The Technology Council of Greater Kansas City) has always been a champion for Kansas City entrepreneurs, startups and growth.  As a leader in Greater Kansas City's technology spectrum, KCNext has been leading the way on a number of exciting tech developments in and around the Kansas City area.  In fact, the Technology Council of Greater Kansas City serves as the regional advocate for the tech industry and supports more than 65 tech/IT company members in and around KC.


So partnering up for The Gigabit Challenge seemed to be a no-brainer.


With their involvement in The Gigabit Challenge, KCNext will help to grow the existing base of technology firms in KC, recruit and attract technology companies, aggregate and promote our regional tech assets and provide peer interaction and industry news.  


A huge thanks to KCNext for supporting Think Big's Gigabit Challenge Finale event!  Without the collaboration and partnership of a strong KC organization like KCNext, The Gigabit Challenge Finale may not be possible!  Now that's how you Think Big.


Follow KCNext! @KCnext
Follow The Gigabit Challenge! @GBChallengeKC
Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

CoActiveIT Grows in Kansas City, Joins bizperc Community

Entrepreneurs are known to make their own schedules.  Many may not start the day until 10:00 AM and work from home in their pajamas.  But that is not the case for a group known as CoActiveIT.

There was quite a bit of hustle and bustle going on in bizperc last Thursday at 8:00AM.  The energy seemed to be coming from the 4th floor meeting room, where CoActiveIT was discussing the busy month ahead.

CoActiveIT is compromised of seasoned consultants covering a broad range of technologies and skill sets.  Working together to provide clients with custom software development services in Kansas City, CoActiveIT serves clients of all sizes on a individual consultant or team basis.

"CoActiveIT is unique because it's made of independent consultants and consulting firms-everyone that is a part of it has their own business," says Doug Bliss, founder of the organization.  "We all benefit as members because we get to work in a team environment and learn from each other.  CoActiveIT helps all of us improve our skills."

Recently, Doug joined the Kansas City coworking community when he became a tenant at bizperc.

"I love this part of town," says Doug of the Crossroads Arts District.  "It's central to where everyone is and it allows me to share resources with others."

CoActiveIt is growing significantly.  What started as a 12-person consulting organization has developed into a 30-member team with a new marketing hire on the way.  This month, CoActiveIT will be setting up its first tradeshow booth in Kansas Cit...and it seems as if they're looking to make quite a splash.

"The camaraderie and formalization of CoActiveIT is great," says Doug.  "I have taken a positive experience and turned it into a money-making venture."

And isn't that what entrepreneurship is all about?

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

An Entrepreneur's Last Chance: Kansas City PIPELINE Application Deadline Today!

Have you ever heard the phrase "luck is preparation meeting opportunity"?

You've prepared your business idea; scrutinized the business plan, held countless meetings with your business partner, even developed a logo, website and business cards.  But have you found the right oopportunity to officially launch your business?

The opportunity is at your fingertips today, entrepreneurs.  Today is the last chance to appy for the PIPELINE immersion program--an initiative designed to identify the most talented, high-growth technology entrepreneurs in the Midwest and propel their dynamic growth. 

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree, must be currently running or launching a technology business in the Midwest and must have at least three years of business or scientific management experience. 

That's right; tonight at midnight is the final deadline to apply for PIPELINE's 2012 Class of Innovators.  Apply today and finally find that moment when preparation meets opportunity.  Best of luck and Think Big!

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

New bizperc Tenant LightEdge Solutions Raises $16M for Des Moines and KC Expansion

LightEdge Solutions, a hosted service provider focused on the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, may have moved into the bizperc coworking space a few short weeks ago, but it seems as if the company was always meant to call Kansas City its second home. 

"We are an entrepreneurial company," said TJ Bangs, Regional Vice President of LightEdge.  "We are growing and cutting-edge.  That is the same feeling that we got when we toured bizperc."

I met with TJ and one of his LightEdge colleagues for coffee one summer morning.  The meeting was based around LightEdge's agenda to expand to Kansas City (in addition to its current Des Moines location) and find the right connections in the KC area in order to make an impact in the industry.  The short 30-minute coffee meeting quickly turned into a tour of bizperc, a collaborative discussion with Think Big Partners' co-founder Herb Sih, and the signing of some tenant papers: LightEdge Solutions was joining bizperc.

And in perfect timing.  Just a few months before LightEdge opened its Kansas City office within the walls of bizperc, the company announced that it had secured $16M of private equity from The Anshutz Investment Company and debt financing from US Bank to double the capacity of its data center operations and launch in Kansas City.  Read more from the LightEdge press release. 

"LightEdge's ability to provide best in class collocation and cage space in addition to our fullly managed cloud services business makes us unique in Iowa and the Midwest," said Jeff Springborn, president and COO of LightEdge in the July 27th release.  "This expansion will enable the businesses of Iowa and other Midwestern states to continue to transform their daily IT delivery models to reduce costs and ensure high-availability IT operations."

bizperc and the Kansas City IT industries in general are growing exponentially.  LightEdge's $16M capital raise is just one testament to that. 

"When you look at what we do, we are 1 of 10 in the nation that provides cloud service.  Kansas City is underserved in that area.  This is a technology need in Kansas City." 

Thanks for joining the bizperc (and Kansas City) community, LightEdge!  Happy to have you on board for further coworking, networking and collaborating. 

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

Art + Technology + Passion = Beasley Creative

Within all of us, there is some type of creativity.

Some people think creatively through their use of strategizing; finding the right solutions to specific problems.  Think lawyers, doctors and entrepreneurs.

Some people think creatively through writing; using robust language and imaginative descriptions to captivate readers and formulate an audience.  Think authors, bloggers and copywriters.

Some people think creatively through using numbers; manipulating formulas and diving into numeric problems.  Think architects, engineers, and accountants.

But when most of us think of creativity, we tend to give credit to those who are creative in the field of art and design.  And for good reason.  Art and design requires a higher level of creativity that many people just aren't capable of.  And one such example of this is Coty Beasley of Beasley Creative.

As a native of Kansas City, Coty Beasley grew up with a passion for engineering, but a love for art.  By combining these two interests together, he found the wonderful world of graphic design and started his own business, Beasley Creative, about three years ago.

"I have always been computer-oriented," says Coty.  "But I enjoyed the passion that came from art.  I found the field of graphic design because it encompassed both of these things."

Coty Beasley of Beasley Creative.

The idea for Beasley Creative came to Coty about five years ago.  Within the past five years, Coty developed a web design and development company that incorporates the latest standards and maintainability. After Coty launched the company, he worked with many small businesses from the comfort of his home.  As time went on, however, Coty started feeling the effects of working out of his lonely apartment.

"I could never leave the home!" Coty says. "Day and night became the same.  There was no human contact.  I needed fresh air and people to meet."

In other words, finding a coworking space in Kansas City was a must.

That's when Coty logged onto Loosecubes, an online coworking space directory, and found bizperc.  A few hours later, Coty had purchased a 10-pack punch card and was hard at work in the modern Kansas City coworking space.

"I found bizperc and saw that it was heading the direction that I wanted to go," says Coty.  "The per day price was cheap enough to give it a try! But then it ended up being in the perfect location with great resources and helpful connections, too."

Not to mention, Coty could stay in Kansas City, which was exactly where he needed to be.

"Kansas City has a great art scene, plus the Sprint headquarters, plus Google Fiber," he says. "That is a recipe for a technology boom.  It is the perfect breeding ground for entrepreneurs." 

How does Coty Beasley Think Big? "My field is new enough to provide me with the ability to change things.  I have the ability to educate and progress my industry here in Kansas City." 

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

Wall Street Journal Announces Kansas City as US Information Technology Leader



Click to enlarge.

It's hard to miss Kansas City when you look at a U.S. map.  After all, it is right smack dab in the middle.

But it's even more difficult to miss Kansas City when it is spotlighted for its progression in information technology and displayed on a U.S. map by the Wall Street Journal. And that's exactly what happened this morning.

The Wall Street Journal has defined Kansas City as the nation's newest leader in information technology.  The city is booming with entrepreneurs, small business and technology.  In fact, in a study found by the TechAmerica Foundation, the number of Kansas City tech companies rose by 5% in 2009, trumping the growth rates of Silicon Valley, Boston and Austin.

The initiative of Google Fiber is a large contributor for the technological growth of the city.  Obviously, this lightning-speed network will lure in even more entrepreneurs (some have already moved to Kansas City from the coasts!).  But it's not only the Google Fiber network that has led startups and entrepreneurs to the area.  It's also KC's friendly business environment.  And the fact that it is far less expensive to develop technology here.  And there are fewer state regulations to worry about.  All in all, KC has every missing puzzle piece that an entrepreneur may be looking for. 

Check out the full article written by The Wall Street Journal and bask in the Kansas City love.  Click here to read the full article and see a full-scale version of the U.S. map.

Congratulations, Kansas City!  Now that's Thinking Big.

Written by Allison Way

@AllisonThinkBig

What Does Google Fiber Mean for Kansas City?

Greg Kratofil,
Polsinelli Shughart

Last week, I had the opportunity to talk with Greg Kratofil, legal counsel provider for Kansas City, Kansas’ Google Fiber.  After speaking with Mr. Kratofil, my eyes were opened to the ground-breaking technology that Kansas City can offer with the implementation of Google Fiber, proving to me that KC can become America’s next tech hub.  Check out my question and answer session with Greg Kratofil!

Allison:  What was your initial reaction to Google Fiber coming to Kansas City, Kansas?

Greg:  My initial reaction was extremely excited, obviously.  This is something that 1100 other communities were hoping for.  Once [Google] finally came back around and said that they were picking Kansas City for their location, we were able to work with them and negotiate an agreement with the city—and I cannot tell you how great Kansas City, Kansas has been.  I now understand the phrase, “Why not Kansas City?”  We fit into [Google’s] plans for the future. 

Allison: Did you think that KC would become Google Fiber’s launch pad in the beginning?

Greg: I’m a “glass half full” kind of guy.  I know we have a great technology community and I think that  Kansas City can do a lot with a gig like this.  I was always confident in telling my clients that I believe Kansas Citians will surprise people and will come up with some interesting and creative applications for the future.

Allison: Why is Kansas City, Kansas a good place for Google Fiber to launch?

Greg: The unified government, the public utilities, the open conduit, our demographics.  But most importantly, the willingness to throw out the old playbook and start with a new sheet of paper.  I believe that Google sees a robust technology community here and opportunities for people to be able to take advantage of it.  This is different.  Nobody has tried to do this before.  I think that Google wants a partner that is going to approach the deal with the same attitude.  Kansas City is willing to do that.

Allison: What does this mean for Kansas City?                                                     

Greg: I think it’s a game-changer for the entire region; not just KCK, but for the greater Kansas City area, if not the Midwest.  The opportunity and the tools that we are going to get out of this investment by Google will put us on the map.  We hope to be on the map with other tech-related hubs like Boston, Seattle and Silicon Valley.  That’s the goal: to get to that.  I think we can.  It’s also a game-changer for the company, the developers, and for people looking to do investments in technology companies.  I think we are going to be ground zero for that next generation of developers and users of technology.

Allison: So, this is an event that will go down in history.

Greg: Remember when we used to have dial-up?  Then all of a sudden, you were able to get 1 meg and 5 meg modems and you were able to surf the Internet at a faster speed.  At that time, nobody understood why you would need that much speed.  In fact, Bill Gates in 1981, is famously quoted for saying that 640kb should be enough for anybody, although there is dispute as to whether this was really said.  But look at what happened from there to where we are now.  I believe that we are going to see that same leap of innovation today.  That’s the hope and the challenge for us—to see if we can spur that same level of innovation and growth that we saw when we went from dial-up to a 5 meg, the same thing at 5 to 1 gig.

Think Big with a gig. 

Written by Allison Way.

@AllisonThinkBig

Entrepreneurs, We're Not in Kansas Anymore...Or Are We?

From Google Fiber to bizperc, Startup Weekend to KCNext… Kansas City is becoming its very own Emerald City. 

There’s no place like home…especially when home means Internet that’s 100 times faster, technology sectors that are undoubtedly stronger, and startup communities that are growing bigger.  Kansas City, Kansas is a city that can only be classified as “emerging”. Although historically successful in many ways, Kansas City is gaining momentum.  Because of the positive changes that the city is experiencing, KC residents may start asking, “we’re not in Kansas anymore...or are we?”

With the arrival of Google Fiber and many other businesses, Kansas City has become a place for entrepreneurship, startups, innovation, and cutting-edge technology.  Think Big Partners has jumped on the progressive bandwagon with fellow Kansas City businesses and organizations including Google Fiber, KCNext, and Startup Weekend in order to continue to grow its own version of the Emerald City.

Google Fiber: Google has chosen Kansas City for its 1 Gigabit fiber-to-the-home network.  The reason for the selection?  This statement comes directly from Google’s blog post: “In selecting a city, our goal was to find a location where we could build efficiently, make an impact on the community and develop relationships with local government and community organizations.  We’ve found this in Kansas City.”

Google has partnered with...

KCNext: KCNext provides a forum and catalyst for innovators and small business owners who are passionate about making the KC region a friendly place to launch new technology startups and grow existing technology companies.  Through the development of technology-intensive infrastructure, the planning of regional events and marketing, and the efforts to enhance the region’s image nationally, KCNext’s goal is to bring cutting-edge aspects to Kansas City. 

KCNext has been in contact with...

Think Big Partners: Much like KCNext, Think Big Partners is working to make Kansas City explode with technology, innovation, and startups.  Think Big Partners is doing whatever it takes to make KC a progressive city:  The group has launched Think Big Angel Capital Group (TBACG), a nationwide angel investing network to help entrepreneurs get funded.  In addition, TBP has created bizperc, an ultra-modern downtown business incubator and workspace that implements its own accelerator program for startup companies and necessary services that these companies will need in order to become a success.  Finally, TBP is hosting the 2^nd annual Think Big Kansas City Conference for Entrepreneurs, Investors and Startups.  Think Big Partners is one of those organizations that is bringing ideas to the technology supported by KCNext and Google Fiber. 

Think Big Partners is hosting...

Startup Weekend Kansas City: To expand the amount of Internet startups and apps that originate in Kansas City, Startup Weekend is coming April 15-17^th to bizperc.  As a 54-hour event that focuses on building web or mobile applications, Startup Weekend brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, business owners, and visionaires with different skill sets in order to launch a new company—all driven by the cutting-edge technology that Kansas City is currently implementing.  This international event occurs in hundreds of cities across the globe and has over 30,000 alumni involved in its success.   

Partnerships and organizations such as these make Kansas City an up-and-coming technology hub.  With Google Fiber, KCNext, Think Big Partners, and Startup Weekend all doing their part to improve the Kansas City tech industry, there is no doubt that other organizations, small businesses, and companies will dive in, partner up with one another, and work to better KC...and beyond.

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A BIG thanks to another Think Big Kansas City sponsor, Evenergy Events & Sponsorships!  Thanks for getting involved and helping us to make TBKC a huge success.  Interested in becoming a sponsor?  Click here.

Written by Allison Way.

@AllisonThinkBig

Google Fiber Coming to Kansas City, Kansas

Google announced today that its Google Fiber Internet service will make its debut in Kansas City, Kansas which promises free broadband Web access for schools and speeds 100 times faster than the current average.  This is a big deal for Google, but an even bigger deal for KC.

Of the 1,100 local government across the country that applied for the program, Google chose Kansas City (over Madison, Wisconsin) to implement its experimental ultra high-speed Internet network called Google Fiber.  The new Internet network is to be launched in 2012.

So what does this mean for our beloved Kansas City?  A lot of amazing things, actually.  First off, Google Fiber will bring as much as $97 million in investments not to mention an extra 1,000 jobs to the KC community.

"In selecting a city, our goal was to find a location where we could build efficiently, make an impact on the community and develop relationships with local government and community organizations," said vice president of access services Milo Medin. "We've found this in Kansas City."  (via Wisconsin State Journal). 

In 2012, Kansas City will experience a new type of Internet- a faster, more reliable network that will provide Internet connections of 1 gagbit per second to as many as 500,000 people. 

We don't know about you, but Think Big Partners is thrilled to welcome the Google powerhouse to our growing Kansas City community.  We are even more excited that Google Fiber is promoting itself as "Think big with a gig".  Now that's something we can relate to.

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig