Think Big's Gigabit Challenge Winner Kauzu Launches Kauzu.Biz Application

Think Big's Gigabit Challenge winner, Kauzu, has announced the development of Kauzu.Biz, a new job search application for the Chicago area.  Find out more: 

Alderman Patrick J. O’Connor of Chicago’s 40th Ward will unveil the Kauzu.Biz business application on Tuesday, August 28th, at 10:00am in a press event at Mather High School, 5835 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Alderman O’Connor, Chair of the City Council Workforce Development and Audit Committee, is pleased to support Kauzu, a Chicago-based social venture providing free location-based job tools and free job postings for small businesses.

“In all of my years of working for the people of Chicago,” Alderman O’Connor stated, “I’ve worked with the private sector and kept an eye out for innovative ways to help the community thrive. When I learned about Kauzu and the ease with which their tools can help connect jobseekers and local businesses---I knew I had to get behind it. I encourage all businesses, job seekers, and Chicagoans in general to support Kauzu, and its innovations aimed at promoting job creation and retention.”

Kauzu.Biz is the employer’s portal to the Kauzu.Jobs jobseeker application, a free job search tool that pinpoints jobs by a user’s location. Kauzu.Biz allows small businesses to post unlimited jobs for free. Kauzu.Biz connects businesses with local jobseekers, reducing turnover by hiring employees with shorter commutes. Kauzu.Jobs and Kauzu Kono, a text‐based application that works on any cell phone in Chicago to locate open job listings near a job seeker’s location, were launched earlier in August.

According to Kauzu CEO Mitch Schneider, “We think employers are ready for an application with unlimited free listings, that helps them hire local, cut turnover and generate repeat business, and that creates the sustainable economic development that helps every family and business in the community. And we’ve built it.”

A City of Chicago Proclamation noting Kauzu’s achievements will be read at the event, and Kauzu will present Alderman O’Connor with a certificate of appreciation.

At the event, the Alderman and Kauzu will recognize six local supportive Chambers of Commerce whose members will learn more about Kauzu.Biz-- Edgewater, Lakeview East, Business Partners—the Chamber for Uptown, Lincoln Bend, Lincoln Square, and the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, three nonprofit partners will be recognized—the Albany Park Community Center, where Kono was launched on August 7; Centers for New Horizons, where Kauzu.Jobs was launched on August 15; and Goldie’s Place, a support center for people who are homeless, located in Chicago’s 40th Ward. Additional attendees at the event will include representatives from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Small Business Development Center and from Streetwise, a Chicago area publication assisting men and women facing homelessness.

Looking to learn more?  Visit www.kauzu.com for all of the latest info!

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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.

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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!

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