The Technology Entrepreneur Speakers Program is Back in KC!

The Technology Entrepreneur Speakers Program (or Tech ESP for short) ­­presented by the Missouri Small Business and Technology Center is back! This program aims to provide helpful information and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, startups and businesses at all stages. So whether you are a brand new startup or a seasoned pro, this program has something for you.

The events speaker this time around is Ben Legg. According to the event website,

• Ben Legg is the CEO of Adknowledge and an unabashed Big Data evangelist.
• Ben came to Adknowledge in October of 2011 from European Directories, where he was COO. He previously held the same position at Google Europe.
• Prior to his leadership in the private sector, Ben spent ten years as an officer in the British Army’s Royal Engineers, leading missions in places like Northern Ireland and Bosnia. He subsequently worked for McKinsey & Co. and Coca-Cola as the VP of sales in India.
• Ben is passionate about the intersection of marketing and social media; his company’s AdParlor platform is a global leader in managing Facebook advertising campaigns. In fact, it’s one of only 12 companies Facebook has designated as a Strategic Preferred Marketing Developer (sPMD).

The event will be hosted at:

Polsinelli Shugart PC

700 West 47th Street Kansas City, MO

Tuesday, April 23 @ 5:30PM

Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. Free parking is available and beverages will be provided.  For more information, see the event website. As in the past, this is an excellent opportunity to grow your network, learn useful tools for your business, and have fun – we hope to see you there!

The Gigabit Challenge Welcomes Newest Partner, Polsinelli Shughart

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR 


Entrepreneurs are not the only ones getting involved in the Google Fiber initiative.  We have seen contributions from large corporations, from technology experts and obviously, from the government.  But we've also seen involvement from multiple Kansas City law firms.  And one of the firms that has caught Fiber fever and is actively involved in getting the Gigabit word out is none other than Polsinelli Shughart. 


Polsinelli Shughart first jumped on the Gigabit bandwagon when it helped to sponsor Building the Gigabit City on October 3, 2011 with The Social Media Club of Kansas City and Brainzooming.  At this event, Polsinelli helped to get the word out about Google Fiber's high-speed Internet access in the home and how it can change neighborhoods in Kansas City for the better.  The event was a huge success. 


And now, Polsinelli has further involved itself.  The KC law firm has decided to partner up and contribute to The Gigabit Challenge, a global business plan competition looking for the next big idea to build itself on the Google Fiber network.


As a popular Kansas City law firm that with practices in business, financial services, real estate and trials, Polsinelli Shughart was the perfect candidate for a Gigabit Challenge partnership opportunity.  The law firm has been one of the most involved in the Kansas City area when it comes to entrepreneurship, startups and business growth.  In fact, Polsinelli Shughart is most known for its legal work in the KC business world.  As a firm that helps any type of organization at any stage of life, Polsinelli Shughart has provided businesses from across the nation with savvy advice and imaginative solutions to legal problems.  Polsinelli Shughart has guided businesses through difficult legal troubles such as capital formation, tax strategy and intellectual property.  


Think Big Partners would like to formally thank Polsinelli Shughart for partnering up for The Gigabit Challenge.  It's the KC leaders like Polsinelli that have helped to make events like The Gigabit Challenge a success, which undoubtedly will create growth for the city today and tomorrow. 


Join us for The Gigabit Challenge Finale event on January 18th! Learn more and register here.  


Follow Polsinelli Shughart! @Polsinelli 
Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

The Gigabit Challenge Announces Semi-Finalists

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR

The Gigabit Challenge announced the Semi-Finalists who will continue on in pursuit of the $100,000 Grand Prize, the $250,000 “Born Global”Prize and the opportunity to create disruptive innovation on the Google Fiber Network.  These Semi-Finalists were selected by a panel of judges including entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, public and private sector organizations, community leaders and other experts.  Executive summaries were judged based on market opportunity, growth potential, impact, brevity, clarity and how effectively the ideas utilized the Google Fiber Network.  The Semi-Finalist companies cover a wide range of applications including telemedicine, ecommerce, nonprofit fundraising, video delivery, digital city management and much more.

“The Gigabit Challenge is a great example of a community working together to capitalize on a fantastic opportunity for the region to connect with entrepreneurs, inventors and investors from around the globe to catalyze ideas that can change the world,” said Chris Bernard, Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Design Startup Director and Advisor for Microsoft, and a judge for The Gigabit Challenge.  “We congratulate all of those who entered the competition and we’re looking forward to the final round of judging.  We are proud to offer programs like MicrosoftBizSpark to the Semi-Finalists, which will help those startups and entrepreneurs focus on a great idea and get to market quickly.”

The Gigabit Challenge Semi-Finalists:

Abhi Ray, Heart To Heart Network Inc.

Adam Geller, Edthena

Andrea Tappy, ClassTap

Andrew Ying, Hong

Annie Hwang, Cloud Integration LLP
Bob Wray, CourthouseUSA LLC

Brendon Collier, SocialCloud

Brett Simpson, record life

Cecilia Bakker, Cecilia Bakker & Tim Brown

Corinna West, Wellness Wordworks

Dallas Kranker, Everything Computers LLC

David Windhausen, TiBi.tv

Don Peterson, BigIris.com

Eddie Tapper, GET-GIV-GOT System Technologies
Edgar Sarmiento, HuMuch?

Ellen Ervin, Connected-4-Learning

Ernie Johnston, iNet2

Fortunato Cardenas, Green Earth Aerogel Technologies

Jason Arnold, Paruzia Technologies

Jeff Stull, Risk Analytics LLC

Jeremy Kissell, Jeremy Kissell

Jim West, Somametric

Kristin Kenney, RE:Cite

Marc Canter, Digital City Mechanics

Mark Hellevang, Capital Infinity Research LLC

Mary Poehler, In Touch Beacon

Merlin Owens, East West TeleMedia International

Michael McKinzy Sr., Voter Integrity Party (V.I.P.)

Michael Shear, Strategic Office Networks LLC

S. Vaideeswaran, Damascus Fortune

Sally Smith, Esipro Technologies LLC

Samuel Belu-John, SEIN Analytics & Asset Management

Scott Hardiek, Virtual/Real World Wallet System

Seak Meng Lay, Photaic

Sonia Lin, Kauzu

Su Sanni, WeDidIt

Tim Sylvester, Integrated Roadways

Troy Norris, TalentHelix

Willow Lundgren, PlanetReuse LLC

Semi-finalists have until December 9, 2011 to submit eight to ten page business plans and Powerpoint presentations which will be reviewed by the judging panel.  Finalists will be announced on December 16, 2011.  At The Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18, 2012, the winners will be awarded a Grand Prize valued at $100,000 and a “Born Global” Prize of a $250,000 investment from Gramercy Private Equity.

“It has been a pleasure reviewing submissions for The Gigabit Challenge,” said Greg Kratofil, Shareholder at Polsinelli Shughart and judge for The Gigabit Challenge.  “It feels like I’m looking through time and getting a glimpse at what the future will hold.  I have been extremely impressed with the quality of the ideas and have little doubt about the opportunities enabled by gigabit speed.”

For more information about The Gigabit Challenge or to express interest in becoming a partner, please visit http://www.gigabitchallenge.com or contact Ann DeAngelo at (816) 842-5244.   

About The Gigabit Challenge:

The Gigabit Challenge is a global business plan competition to find disruptive ideas that will turn the tech industry upside-down and change the world.  The Gigabit Challenge is focused on unique applications that are enabled by Google’s first-in-the-nation 1 Gigabit Fiber network.  It is a business plan competition looking for the brightest, hungriest and most passionate entrepreneur superstars who are looking to think big...with a gig.  In early October 2011, individuals, teams and early-stage businesses were invited to enter for the chance to win the Grand Prize valued at $100,000 and be the first to work on the Google Fiber Network.  For more information, please visit http://www.gigabitchallenge.com.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Social Media Club of Kansas City Presents Building the Gigabit City

The Google Fiber network is said to be up to 100 times faster than the current speed of the Internet.  That's a lot faster.  That's incredibly quick.  That's a time-saver. 

But the Social Media Club of Kansas City is one of the first organizations to ask: "What would you do with that extra time?"

The Social Media Club of Kansas City (with sponsorship and help from Brainzooming, KCNext, the Kansas City Public Library, and Polsinelli Shughart) is hosting Building the Gigabit City on October 3rd, 2011 in order to seek input about how Google Fiber high-speed internet access in the home can change peoples' lives for the better.

Leading up to Building the Gigabit City, SMCKC is hosting an online survey so that Kansas City residents and Google Fiber fans could share their ideas on an online platform.  Now, the survey is being taken to the next level through the development of the Building the Gigabit City event at the Kansas City Public Library on the first Monday of October.

At the event, attendees will be divided into groups--Living, Learning and Leading categories--so that ideas can be flushed out with like-minded individuals.  The goal of the event is to bring together home-owners and community residents so that everybody can share how the Google Fiber network could potentially change the lives of KC residents and the world.  This free event will start at 8:30AM and run until 8:00 at night. 

If you're interested in attending Building the Gigabit City and giving input about how you think Google Fiber could change the world, be sure to take the online survey from the Social Media Club.  The survey can be found here:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GigabitCity.  More information about the event will be announced soon.  Stay tuned!

Want a little more info?  Read the article from the Kansas City Business Journal: "Social Media Club of Kansas City works to build Google road map".

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