Your mobile app is one out of 500,000. How will yours get found?

There are a lot of apps.  No one cares about yours.

Ever feel this way?  If you’re an app developer or mobile entrepreneur, chances are, you have.  And we don’t blame you.  There are 500,000+ different apps in the Apple Store alone.  Chances are, yours won’t stand out.

But Juggernaut Interactive, a creative technology lab based out of Omaha, Nebraska, is looking to change this mentality.  This young, Midwestern startup is dedicated to helping to bring new ideas into fully-functioning online communities...and getting people to care about them.

Founded and run by Brian Daniel and Tom Duggin, Juggernaut Interactive was launched after its two co-founders noticed an overwhelmingly broad opportunity in the mobile space one year ago.  Lucky for the two (and the entire Juggernaut team), the company is ahead of the app curve by about six months (which is huge in the app industry). 

“More things are moving to mobile,” says Brian Daniel, CEO of Juggernaut Interactive, “it’s an extremely compelling business.”

Juggernaut specializes in incubating product ideas (such as mobile apps) and prepping them for “production phase”.  As soon as an app is ready, it goes through a process run by Electric Human.  Electric Human is the space where Juggernaut designs innovative concepts and builds prototypes, platforms and services that they’re passionate about.

Juggernaut’s most recent creation is an app known as Due Date, which will be rolled out soon.  The app is a stork delivery game which will be featured in the Apple Store in just a matter of weeks.   According to Brian, Tom and Laurin Hogan, interactive producer at Juggernaut, the app is different from other mobile games in the market because it is nurturing rather than destructive.

But Juggernaut’s genius goes far beyond app game development.  The company, although only a year old, has helped build apps and other tech developments for national brands such as Werner Enterprises, Omaha Steaks, All State, Geico, Hard Rock, McDonald’s and more. 

Juggernaut Interactive, along with its Electric Human platform, hope to continue to grow in the mobile and app development space for other national brands.  Want to follow Juggernaut’s successes?  Follow Juggernaut online at http://juggernautinteractive.com/.  

Think Big Counts Down to the Silicon Prairie Awards in Omaha

One week from today, Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum will be filled with hundreds of people in attendance of the 2012 Silicon Prairie Awards. Over 400 entrepreneurs, investors, creatives and professionals will come together to honor the world of startup innovation and recognize individuals and companies for their creativity and success.

The inaugural event will distinguish 12 companies and individuals for particular strengths such as outstanding products, remarkable leadership and noteworthy contributions to the Silicon Prairie community over the course of this past year. The night includes an opening reception, a keynote talk, a closing party and a few surprises along the way.

The awards, which are put on by the people behind Big Omaha, Thinc Iowa and the Startup Job Crawls, will be given to businesses selected by a combination of a popular public vote and a vote by the selection committee.

This year’s awards include:

·       Startup of the Year

·       New Startup of the Year

·       Consumer Startup of the Year

·       B2B Startup of the Year

·       Mobile App of the Year

·       Startup Executive of the Year

·       Startup Technologist of the Year

·       Startup Designer of the Year

·       Startup Investor of the Year

·       Startup Service Provider of the Year

·       Silicon Prairie Community Champion

·       Silicon Prairie Ambassador

When the doors open at 6 pm, the Silicon Prairie Awards festivities will begin. This is not the type of event you want to be fashionably late to— the opening reception will offer everything from complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres to good company. The reception will also feature the Startup Alley, which will showcase nine Silicon Prairie startups...complete with demos and all.

After the opening festivities, guests will sit down for much-anticipated speeches and awards. They keynote speaker, David Cohen, will share his insights on the world of startup. David Cohen is huge in the entrepreneurial community. His company, TechStars, is one of the nation’s most respected startup incubators. His keynote talk will be sure to highlight his experiences with building TechStars and his passion for entrepreneurship.

After David Cohen shares his insights and the awards have been given, guests are invited to enjoy the closing party. There will be more complimentary food and drinks and guests are encouraged to continue to meet one another and learn more about the featured startups.

All are invited to the Silicon Prairie Awards and there are still a limited number of tickets available. Whether you’re the CEO of a startup or an entrepreneurial enthusiast from afar, we highly recommend you attend the event. For those of you wondering what to wear, don’t worry about that tux or gown. The attire is startup suave, so come in something classy but not overly formal. We expect to see you at the Joslyn on the 30^th, you’ll be in for an excellent night of startup ingenuity!

...And don’t forget to cheer on your favorite Kansas City nominees!  Although voting ended yesterday, you can still cheer on and support those KC individuals and companies who have been nominated for the Silicon Prairie Awards.  These KC superstars include RareWire, Klink Mobile, Sporting Innovations, LockPath (Overland Park), Front Flip (Overland Park), Leap2, myHomework, Naithan Jones (Overland Park), Chris Caldwell (Overland Park), Matt Angell, Rodrigo Neri, Jack Johnson, OpenAir Equity Partners, Greg Kratofil, Thad Langford, Joni Cobb and Nick Seguin.  

Vote in the Silicon Prairie Awards

Don't make him disappointed in you - vote now!

Calling all startup fans! It’s time to nominate your favorites (startups and their investors alike) in this year’s Silicon Prairie Awards! If you know companies or entrepreneurs who did outstanding work from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 and are located in the Silicon Prairie area, it’s time to nominate them here on SPN’s website, now through July 25.

Award Categories:

• Startup of the Year
• New Startup of the Year
• Consumer Startup of the Year
• B2B Startup of the Year
• Mobile App of the Year
• Startup Executive of the Year
• Startup Technologist of the Year
• Startup Designer of the Year
• Startup Investor of the Year
• Startup Service Provider of the Year
• Silicon Prairie Superhero
• Silicon Prairie Ambassador

After nominations are collected, voting will begin August 2 and run until August 22.  The winners will be announced Tuesday, August 30 at an awards ceremony at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. Vote in as many or as few categories you want, but make sure to exercise your one civilian duty and vote—or else P. Diddy will be very angry. 

Entrepreneurship Across the Midwest: Is Tulsa Next?

For over a year now, we've been hearing about how Kansas City is the next big hub for entrepreneurship.  But other Midwest states aren't far behind (just take a look at the big entrepreneurial movements going on in Omaha and Chicago, for instance).  But you won't believe what city may be next in line--Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In a recent article posted on TulsaPeople.com, reporter Tara Lynn Thompson covers the growing startup scene in the Tulsa area and highlights important new companies emerging from our southern neighbor.

One of those individuals making a statement in Tulsa is Brian Paschal, executive director of The Forge, Tulsa's Young Professionals' (TYPros) business development center.  According to Paschal, Tulsa was founded on entrepreneurial risk-takers.  And these risk-takers have helped Tulsa become one of the Top 10 states for job growth and business creation, according to the 2011 US Bureau of Labor statistics.

So what's going on in the startup scene in Tulsa?  Take a look:

• i2e (Innovation to Enterprise): a private, nonprofit corporation that focuses solely on high-growth companies in Oklahoma
• Launch: a new 16-week entrepreneurial program at Tulsa Community College 
• TCC Startup Cup: a business idea competition that helps to get more ideas to market in the area
• The Tulsey Awards: recognizes the importance of entrepreneurs on Tulsa's economy and quality of life
• Hardesty Center for Fab Lab Tulsa: a nonprofit entity that supplies entrepreneurs with equipment and computers for innovation and STEM education 
• Tulsa Web Devs: a tight-knit group of Tulsa web developers and designers that build with open-source technology 
• Sway Balance: a new app that tests balance for a variety of patients like athletes and those with chronic diseases
• Collaboratorium: a private, nonprofit corporation that operates as a resource center to provide coaching, education, discounted office space and networking for startups

That's right, Kansas City!  Our friendly neighbor to the south is doing its part in building the entrepreneurial scene in the Midwest.  We're excited to see what others cities jump on board in 2012 and beyond.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Big Omaha: The Summer Camp You Never Want To End

Most of us have been there.  Whether it was summer camp, horse back riding camp, sports camp or (for the geeks at heart) science camp, almost all of us have experienced the great outdoors, youth camaraderie and bad hygiene during camp.

And along with the arts and crafts, kayaking adventures and capture-the-flag games, we have also all experienced anxiety before camp begins and sadness after we have to say goodbye to our new friends and counselors.

Silicon Prairie News event coordinator Brittany Mascio believes that Big Omaha gives off these same emotions; anxiousness, excitement and sad goodbyes.

What is Big Omaha exactly?  It's an annual entrepreneurship and innovation conference that aims to share stories and connect the Omaha community with the rest of the country.  But if you ask any member of Silicon Prairie News (the organizers of the event) or any past attendee of Big Omaha, they will be sure to tell you that it's so much more than that.

This year, Big Omaha will take place May 9-11 at KANEKO, located in the Old Market.  The conference will feature 14 keynote speakers, a dynamite MC, plenty of food to go around and the opportunity to check out the Omaha startup scene...not to mention tons of networking and interactive fun.

"Big Omaha is a good place for entrepreneurs and others looking for inspiration to collaborate with one another," said Mascio.  "Big Omaha is at the forefront of what's going on in the tech center."

Big Omaha 2012 will follow the same structure as the 2011 conference, but with a few cool additions.  Although the Silicon Prairie News team wouldn't give all of the secrets away, they did inform us that this year, Big Omaha is adding artists into the mix.  The SPN team hopes that this addition will help the conference promote its theme of inner-connectivity.

So when Big Omaha closes and it's time to head home (tear!), what will you walk away with?  Mascio gave us the inside scoop:

1.  Advice. 
After Big Omaha, you will have a plethora of stories to reflect upon.  All of Big Omaha's 14 keynote speakers will tell founder stories and give an inside look at how to become a successful entrepreneur.

2.  Connections. 
You will leave Big Omaha with more than just a notebook full of entrepreneurial scribble.  You'll also leave with stacks of business cards, informational handouts, major swag and a completely full contact list.  Big Omaha is all about energizing people to connect with other attendees.

3.  Memories.
Just like summer camp, Big Omaha provides unforgettable memories and nonstop fun.  It's a conference that helps many startups out there realize that entrepreneurship can be fun.  It truly is that summer camp you don't want to end.

Unfortunately for you, Big Omaha is completely sold out!  The good news? Silicon Prairie is creating a waiting list for those entrepreneurs who are dying to get a foot in the KANEKO door.  To learn more, be sure to visit http://www.bigomaha.com/.

Follow BigOmaha! @BigOmaha
Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig