Donate Your Used Electronics at bizperc’s e-Cycling Event!

The holidays are upon us and if your gift wish list is full of the hottest new gadgets because your old ones are broken, don’t throw them away!

Throwing your broken or outdated electronics in the trash is extremely harmful to the environment—it contributes to our overflowing landfills and can be very toxic to our earth.  Why throw away your old gadgets when many of them can be repurposed and used to create more new (even cooler) electronics?

On December 14, 2012 from 1:00-3:00pm, bizperc will be hosting an e-Cycling event in the 1800 Baltimore parking lot. The event is being produced by Think Big Partners, bizperc and Media Services, while proper disposal and e-Cycling will be facilitated by The Surplus Exchange.

A wide range of products are accepted and will receive a tax deduction. These deductions include: 

• Printers ($5.00 deduction)
• CRT computer monitors ($10.00 deduction)
• CRT TVs ($15.00 deduction)
•  Laptops, digital cameras, mp3 players, GPS devices, servers, copiers, scanners, stereo equipment and even microwaves are accepted and eligible for tax deduction 

While they are accepted and can be recycled, ink, toner cartridges and cell phones will not receive a tax deduction. 

So swing by bizperc on December 14^th and give back to the environment this holiday season by recycling your old gadgets!  See you then!  

Think Big Partners Hosts Two Startup Events During Kansas City’s Global Entrepreneurship Week

KANSAS CITY, MO—November 7, 2012—Kansas City-based startup accelerator and business incubator Think Big Partners has teamed up with Microsoft Windows 8, Startup Weekend and Global Entrepreneurship Week to host two entrepreneurial events on November 16, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. Think Big Partners’ two events taking place during Global Entrepreneurship Week feature networking opportunities for startup entrepreneurs as well as a chance to learn how to use Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 8.

Think Big Partners first Global Entrepreneurship Week event is Startup Waffles, a popular breakfast networking event open to all attendees of Global Entrepreneurship Week and Startup Weekend. The event is free (requires registration) and will be hosted by Think Big Partners at the bizperc coworking space (1800 Baltimore Avenue, 6^th floor, Kansas City, MO 64108). Startup Waffles starts at 7:30am on Friday, November 16 and lasts until 9:30am.

“In the past, Startup Waffles has always had a great turn out,” says Sarah Snyder, Think Big Partners meeting planner and event manager.  “It’s an event that Kansas City entrepreneurs look forward to because it’s an outstanding networking opportunity.  We look forward to bringing together KC’s most well-connected entrepreneurs during Global Entrepreneurship Week.” 

Following Startup Waffles, Think Big Partners will host Microsoft Windows 8 Kansas City Bootcamp on the 6^th floor of the bizperc loft space.  Led by Microsoft startup evangelist Taylor Cowan, the technology-focused bootcamp will concentrate on educating attendees on how to effectively utilize and build on the new, highly-regarded Windows 8 platform.  The free event is open to Global Entrepreneurship Week attendees as well as the Kansas City startup and entrepreneurship communities. Though it is free to attend, space is extremely limited and registration is required. Midwest-based developers, entrepreneurs and startups interested in learning more about the highly-regarded Windows 8 platform are encouraged to attend.

Starting at 10:00am on Friday, November 16, startup evangelist Taylor Cowan will give a presentation that will highlight how to navigate Windows 8, the user-experience patterns, the inherent async design and integration features.  In addition to great learning opportunities during the Microsoft event, attendees will also receive access to Microsoft BizSpark accounts for free as well as access to Microsoft software.  Attendees will also have hands-on access to demonstrate and intact with four touch devices loaded with Windows 8, including two of the brand new Microsoft Surface tablets and two Microsoft slates.

In addition to the bootcamp portion of the event, attendees will have the chance to speak with Taylor Cowan about both Windows 8 and Azure during private office hours from 2:00pm-4:00pm on Friday, November 16. 

Potentially interested attendees are encouraged to sign up for both events as space is limited and is expected to fill up quickly.  To learn more about Startup Waffles, Microsoft Windows 8 Kansas City Bootcamp and other Global Entrepreneurship Week events, please visit KCSourceLink’s GEW Calendar of Events. 

Kick Off the Fall Season with k12itc & Think Big Partners at Entrepreneur Corner

* Bummer!  Tonight the forecast shows a 70-90% chance of rain!  Because of the weather, we have cancelled Entrepreneur Corner for tonight, September 7, 2012.  Join us next month on October 5 with k12itc and we promise to make it up to you! 

August is almost over. 

Sigh. 

We witnessed a lot of great things this month.  We saw the United States come out on top in the Olympics and the fantastic closing ceremony that followed.  NASA actually got a one-ton robot to land on Mars.  And sports fans everywhere began pulling out their favorite college team jerseys in preparation for football season. 

It’s tough to let a great month like August 2012 slip away. But have no fear—Entrepreneur Corner during First Fridays is here to lift your spirits and help you celebrate the beginning of fall!

The September edition of Entrepreneur Corner will not only feature great refreshments, awesome networking and stunning views of Kansas City from the rooftop of 1800 Baltimore, but we’ll also be spotlighting local Kansas City company, k12itc.

k12itc specializes in working with both public and private schools to deliver tailored solutions for each organization’s unique technological challenges. k12itc provides access to a comprehensive range of flagship solutions including CloudRack, CloudWatch and managed Blackboard hosting.  Join us on the rooftop of bizperc to learn more about k12itc and speak with the founders yourself! 

Entrepreneur Corner festivities will kick off 5:00pm and conclude at 9:00pm...but that’s only our event! As with every First Friday, there are a slew of great events that will be happening all over downtown Kansas City and in the Crossroads Arts District.

But how can you find out about every Entrepreneur Corner activity?  Now, it’s simple!  Download the intevli app on your smartphone for all of the latest information on art events, restaurants, entrepreneurial meet-ups, shopping and even parking during First Fridays!

See you on the rooftop on September 7^th! 

Lathrop & Gage Consults bizperc Entrepreneurs May 22

The benefits of joining the bizperc coworking space seem endless—Roasterie coffee, inspirational views of downtown Kansas City and collaboration with like-minded entrepreneurs daily.  But now, bizperc is bringing an even bigger benefit to the coworking community: legal consulting hours from Lathrop & Gage.

On Tuesday, May 22 from 3:00-5:00PM, Colleen Graham and Travis McCallon of Lathrop & Gage meet one-on-one with bizperc members to help answer those percolating startup legal questions. 

Next week, Graham and McCallon will sit down with bizperc members to discuss different legal matters for startup businesses.  Graham, an expert in the corporate space, will guide entrepreneurs through business lifecycles (from formation documents to hiring employees to selling the company).  McCallon, on the other hand, will assist entrepreneurs with intellectual property questions such as copyright, trademarks, licensing and agreements.

According to Graham, associate at Lathrop & Gage, many entrepreneurs confront the law firm after a mistake has already been made.  bizperc’s consulting hours can help entrepreneurs prevent anything detrimental from happening in the first place.

“We see a lot of entrepreneurs when something goes wrong,” says Graham.  “These hours will help entrepreneurs avoid mistakes before they happen.  Entrepreneurs often need that extra knowledge and time.  It’s all about foresight.”

Graham notes that Kansas City has a large entrepreneurial market that has yet to be tapped.  The goal of both Graham and McCallon is to build positive relationships with some of these KC entrepreneurs and to help them succeed from start to finish.

To sign up for the bizperc hours with Lathrop & Gage, you must be a bizperc member.  Email Sarah at ssnyder@thinkbigpartners.com to register.  

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