Jefferson City Hosts 2nd Mid-Missouri Young Professional Summit

A few days ago, Entrepreneur.com listed Kansas City as one of the 9 Cities You Wouldn't Think Are Hubs for Tech Startups.

But we would like to add one more to that list.  And although it may not be considered a "hub", it is a Midwestern city that is making it a priority to grow it's entrepreneurial community.  Welcome to Jefferson City, MO.

Next week, the Mid-Missouri Young Professional Summit will be hosted for the second year in a row in Jefferson City.  The event will build upon the success of the Summit held in 2011, which brought more than 95 participants from the region to learn, share and speak their minds on a specific area of expertise.  In addition to networking, professional development and education, plenty of food, drink and fun will be shared by all!

But things are looking a bit different this year.  The Summit has moved to a larger facility, has expanded in length and is bringing an even bigger bang for an attendee's investment!

With speakers such as Chad Carden, Tyler Prochnow, Skinny Improv and other "peer presenters", the Mid-Missouri Young Professional Summit has been built for any entrepreneur interested in improving themselves, their work or their region.

Go check out the entrepreneurial vibes in Jefferson City at the Mid-MO Young Professional Summit on October 9, 2012 at the G2 Gallery.  Only 15 tickets are left and go for $35.00!  Register today!

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Put on Your “Thinc”ing Caps! Thinc Iowa 2012 Returns to Des Moines Next Week

The organization that has brought the Midwest knockout events such as Big Omaha and the Silicon Prairie News Awards is back and bigger than ever in the city of Des Moines, Iowa.  The team at Silicon Prairie News is returning to the humble city of Des Moines from October 9-11, 2012 to bring the entrepreneurial community its second annual Thinc Iowa conference.

This year it’s bigger.  It’s better.  And more importantly, it’s longer.

“Last year, I think the conference went by too fast!” said Brittany Mascio, event coordinator for Silicon Prairie News.  “This year, we are extending Thinc Iowa to 2 days in order to put people together, longer.  We want to enhance the conference and leave a lasting impression on these entrepreneurs.”

This year, the Thinc Iowa event will feature 15 speakers (including Steve Case, CEO of AOL), three can’t-miss parties and two full days of startup inspiration, entrepreneurial presentations and introductions to new, innovative concepts.

“Our focus is on entrepreneurship and innovation,” says Geoff Wood, COO of Silicon Prairie News.  “But we will be featuring both old companies and new startups.  I’m excited to listen to Gentry Underwood of Orchestra because I’ve heard him speak online before.  I can’t wait to see him live.  I’m also excited for Neal Sales-Griffin of The Starter League.  But I think I am most excited for the things that we don’t plan for during conferences like this—they are always the most interesting.”

Thinc Iowa is expecting around 350 attendees this year, a slight increase from last year’s 300.  Thinc Iowa will take place for the second year in a row at the Temple for Performing Arts.  Parties will take place at Wooly’s, Exile Brewing Company, Americana and West End Architectural Salvage.  All events will be taking place in Des Moines, Iowa.

“All three cities that we focus on—Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City—we want to see grow,” says Wood.  “A big part of this conference is for people to come in from outside and see what’s here.  We have attendees from 20 different cities.  We want them to become our ambassadors.”

“Des Moines is a place that was very open to the idea of the conference,” agrees Mascio.  “We believe it is a great area to highlight.  We really want to bring the demand of Big Omaha to the city of Des Moines.”

Thinc Iowa will take place from October 9-11, 2012.  To purchase tickets for Thinc Iowa, visit http://2012thinciowatickets.eventbrite.com/.  

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Join Us for the October bizperc Showcase!

Here at bizperc, we believe that entrepreneurs should be excited about coming to work.  Just look at us—we look forward to coming into our coworking space every day!  Why you ask? Simply put we get to interact with a wide array of forward-thinking entrepreneurs on a daily basis (and it doesn’t hurt that we have one of the best views of Kansas City, awesome WiFi, and free coffee provided by the Roasterie!). We fancy ourselves pretty lucky and we want you to experience it too! 

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 9th from 4:00 to 5:30pm and come on down to 1800 Baltimore in downtown Kansas City, MO and join us on the 4th floor. Come see why we call this modern and innovative workplace home.

The bizperc Showcase will start off with an expertly guided journey of our coworking space and startup accelerator. Experience the atmosphere our entrepreneurs thrive in. From the coffee bar to the rooftop garden, you’ll get an inside-look at our coworking space, bizperc, and learn what Think Big Partners is up to. We want to show you how Think Big Partners is innovating in the startup world. 

But this showcase isn’t just about us—we want you to tell us about your own entrepreneurial ventures too! 

Showcase Agenda:

4:00 Meet Think Big Partners: the company that’s building companies.

4:15 Tour the bizperc coworking space to see where we do what we do.

5:00 Tell us about your own entrepreneurial venture on bizperc’s 6th floor while gazing at the spectacular view of downtown KC.

Come experience the benefits of coworking and see how we’re changing the way entrepreneurs interact daily.

Register here for the bizperc Showcase powered by Think Big Partners on Tuesday, October 9th from 4:00 to 5:30pm.

If you aren’t able to attend this month...don’t worry!  We’ll be showing off our coworking space each month. Stay tuned for upcoming Showcase information!

Questions? Call 816-842-5244 or email Sarah Snyder (ssnyder@thinkbigpartners.com).

Don’t forget to follow bizperc on Twitter! @bizperc

KCSourceLink’s Nosh and Networking...And Why You Should Go

Networking and food trucks.  Sounds like a match made in heaven, doesn’t it?  If you’re an entrepreneur who loves networking and also loves food trucks, KCSourceLink has the event for you! 

On Wednesday October 10^th, KCSourceLink is having another installment of its popular Nosh and Networking entrepreneurial series. This is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs of all types—from the established to the startups.  Nosh and Networking aims to be a great meeting medium to tap into KCSoureLink’s excellent network of experts willing and able to help an entrepreneur progress throughout the startup lifecycle.   

Here’s the vital details you’ll need in order to attend:

When: October 10, 2012 at 4:30pm
Where: Enterprise Center of Johnson Country (8527 Bluejacket Lenexa, KS 66214)
What: Nosh on food from two of KC’s hottest food trucks while you network with KC business experts and fellow entrepreneurs.
What you’ll need to bring: Just some general entrepreneur things such as curiosity, ambition, passion for meeting new people and learning new ideas and a few shekels so you can nosh on the awesome grub available.
Why you should register: Register beforehand so you can win the awesome prizes that are available!

This is KCSourceLink’s 10^th anniversary celebration kick-off and what better day to do it than 10/10? A videographer will be on hand to document the occasion as KCSourceLink unveils some of their fun plans to celebrate their 10^th anniversary in the coming months. This can’t-miss networking event series is always a blast and a fantastic venue to meet fellow startup entrepreneurs.

So what are you still doing here? Go sign up already!

It's BAAACK! Startup Weekend Kansas City 2012 at Kauffman Foundation

For a few years now we've been promoting, attending, hosting and even sponsoring Startup Weekend Kansas City.  It's a 54-hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing and market validation followed by a finale of presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders.  And we could not be more excited that it's back in Kansas City November 16-18, 2012 at the Kauffman Foundation.

Entrepreneurs, hackers, coders, designers, marketers and creatives are invited to participate in Startup Weekend Kansas City.  But when it comes down to it, you're probably wondering...what's in it for YOU?

1.  New partners and connections

Entrepreneurs.  Developers.  Designers.  Marketers.  Product managers.  Startup enthusiasts.  Tech guys.  They’re all at Startup Weekend and they’re all anxious to meet you!  Startup Weekend not only provides you with the opportunity to make your startup dream come true, but it also gives you the networking opportunity that you need in order to grow your rolodex of experts and learn what others have to offer. 

2.  New ideas

You may be a hard worker, but you don't have quite the right ideas to launch a business of your own.  That's what Startup Weekend is for!  Startup Weekend will open your mind to new ideas out in the world and put you on the cutting-edge of entrepreneurship in Kansas City 

3.  New strategies

Startup Weekend is more than just a chance to launch a business—it’s a chance to expand your mind!  Startup Weekends are all about learning through the act of creating.  This event allows you to step outside of your comfort zone and work on a new platform, learn a new program, or just try something different.

4.  New perspectives

Local tech and startup leaders participate in Startup Weekends as mentors and judges. Get some one-on-one time and gain new, high-level perspectives with the movers and shakers in Kansas City at this event!

5.  A new startup! 

After just 54 hours, you will have built and launched a new startup in Kansas City. How cool is that?

Early bird tickets are available now for just $60.00 a pop.  Register today and see what all of the madness is about!  

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig