11 Things to Know Before iKC 2013

iKC: The Unconference is right around the corner! We’re ramping up for what promises to be a day full of unexpected collisions with unimaginable outcomes. In order for you to prepare for the unexpected, we’ve put together a list of everything you need to know so you can make the best of iKC 2013:  

1. Check-in starts at 8:00am.  Check-in at H&R Block World Headquarters on the first floor (and come early to guarantee your free t-shirt!). 
2. Welcome presentations will begin at 8:45am.  From there, the day will be divided into 4 sessions (to be determined the morning of the unconference). 
3. The agenda will be voted on and created live from 9:30am-10:30am. This hour may seem a little chaotic, but it allows plenty of opportunity for collisions and conversations to happen! Attendees will be able to submit ideas for session topics as they arrive and register.
4. Free parking is available in the Annex Garage off 13th & Grand (but you must print a parking voucher beforehand!).
5. Attendees can make the unconference whatever they want it to be.  We suggest having an open mind and to be prepared to discuss, learn and contribute to conversations happening. 
6. Attendees have the opportunity to get facetime with some of the leaders of Kansas City by applying for the UnMentor Program.  Apply here.
7. Dress casual! 
8. Walk over to Alamo (1400 Main) after the last iKC session for the Closing Session, brought to you by Google Fiber. 
9. Your iKC ticket doubles as your free pass to the world premiere of Tech Trek at 6:30pm at the Alamo Drafthouse during the Closing Session. 
10. You have the chance to participate in the Open Mic Awards and personally recognize and award another iKC attendee on their participation and ideas during the Closing Session. 
11. And never forget the 4 (un)written rules of the unconference:
1. Whenever it starts is the right time. Whenever it is over, it is over.
2. The people who come are the right people.
3. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened.
4. If you are not learning or contributing, it is your responsibility to use your own two feet to find someplace where you are. 

iKC 2013: The Unconference wouldn’t be possible with our great sponsors. A big thanks to H&R Block, Husch Blackwell, Garmin, Mazuma, Sprint, Red Bull and Google Fiber. We can wait for iKC 2013 and hope you’re just as anxious as we are! 

iKC: The Unconference...No Agenda. No Panels. What Fun!

Written by Perry Puccetti, iKC Ambassador

Hot, emerging metropolitans with business activity focused on innovation and entrepreneurialism, such as Kansas City, are not overnight sensations. Rather, they are the result of years of investment in time, money and hard work. Here in Kansas City a vibrant and dynamic business ecosystem has been evolving for some time now; one that is sustainable and diverse, representing a unique synthesis of Silicon Valley innovation and Midwest values.

iKC: The Unconference is an open format conference focused on increasing “collision density” in the region. By creating “serendipitous collisions,” which organically introduce innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and connectors to each other to share ideas,great things will happen.

Here in Kansas City, we do not need to ask for anybody’s permission to be successful.

As a venue for peer-to-peer learning, collaboration and creativity, iKC helps serve as part of a broader catalyst by helping to attract, support and sustain the types of resources, and talent, necessary for our healthy business ecosystem; a complex blend of industry, academia and capital investment.

Recent events such as the Forum at the Middle of the Map Festival, Big Kansas City, Tech Cocktail, iKC and many others convene companies of all sizes and sectors to exchange their ideas and spark inspiration. These events also exemplify Kansas City’s  evolving business ecosystem and unique approach to business. It is no longer sufficient for one company to lose at the expense of another; we believe that the exchange of ideas, creativity and innovation will lead the way to the future.

Here in Kansas City, we believe that business success is much more symbiotic; I win; you win; we win – we believe in the “New Reality” of “we, versus me.”

It does not matter what kind of business you are in, the size of your business, or where you are in your professional career. You can learn to be a better entrepreneur by attending iKC. Entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley have found that one of the keys to adapting to a constantly changing business environment is to stay flexible – the core focus of our region’s inaugural “unconference.”

As an Unconference, iKC has no agenda and no panels; rather the focus is on the interaction between attendees. Here are a few things that Silicon Valley does very well, that we should embrace:

1.

Trust and credibility. iKC is an opportunity to remove social barriers and turn a random discussion into a business opportunity. Be bold! The rate of innovation increases when success is mutual.

2.

We versus me. You cannot innovate alone. Have the humility to seek out long-term, win-win collaborations with others.

3.

Pay it forward.  This phrase says it all. Mentor, share your knowledge, extend your network, share your ideas; your reputation will be the better for it.

4.

Listen. Ask questions and learn from those around you. You cannot hear the next great opportunity knocking if you are doing all the talking.

5.

Start from a position of “yes!” Not all ideas will pan out; however, the fear of failure is the fear of innovation.  

iKC: The Unconference is less about inspiration and motivation and more about great ideas, taking action and ultimately, achieving the “New Reality KC.” As Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh has said, “Create the opportunity for meaningful collisions, and then just watch as the best things unfold.”

Come collide with us!

Top 5 Reasons You Need to Be at iKC 2013

iKC: The Unconference is all about taking great ideas and turning them into action.  So why do you need to be at the unconference on October 3?  

1. You decide the topics you want to talk about At an "unconference," attendees submit and vote on ideas ahead of time to decide what the day's agenda will look like.Therefore, what the conference looks like is entirely up to you. Submit your ideas here.   2. Increase collision density in Kansas City Collision density is the level of collisions made between entrepreneurs, innovators, connectors, and investors in a single area. The higher an area's collision density, the more quickly and efficiently innovative development can occur. 3. This isn't a lecture hall. iKC incorporates the "Law of Two Feet." Unconference Rule #4 says, "if you're not learning or contributing, it is your responsibility to use your own two feet to find someplace where you are." If the session you're in is not a good fit, we encourage you to go find a conversation that makes more sense for you. 4. Get 1-on-1 mentorship from some of KC's most respected entrepreneurs and business leaders We're lining up some of the city's most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders for the UnMentor Program. Apply for the UnMentor program and you may have an opportunity for a 20-minute session with one of our UnMentors during the conference.   5. The After Party. No, really.  At 4:15, we'll head to the Alamo Drafthouse for the iKC Closing Session (sponsored by Google Fiber) where you can enjoy free drinks and appetizers. There will also be Open Mic awards where attendees can grab the mic and personally award prizes to a person they think had the most impact on their day. Plus! At 6:30 p.m., you'll be one of the first to see The Tech Trek, a Google Glass-enabled documentary, and learn all about the capabilities of Google Glass from the eyes of KC entrepreneurs.  **This screening is free for iKC attendees. General public tickets will become available if space permits. Claim your iKC ticket today! We will see you October 3!

Announcing the iKC UnMentors!

For the second year in a row, we have teamed up with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce to bring KC an (un)conference unlike any other.  iKC: The Unconference is an open format conference to facilitate collisions between innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and connectors.
Unlike any other event in Kansas City, iKC is all about taking great ideas and turning them into action. 

This year, we are unleashing our UnMentorship program.  If you're an entrepreneur looking for feedback or mentorship, you'll be interested in speaking to one of our UnMentors!  During iKC, UnMentors will have open time slots of 20 minutes to meet with budding entrepreneurs (or just grab someone with an UnMentor badge!).

A huge thanks to our iKC UnMentors:

• Dr. Julie Edge, Ph.D.
• Taylor Cowan
• Keith Bae
• Pat Doherty
• Rob Bensman
• Kelly Pruneau
• Judy Sindecuse
• Ryan O'Connell
• John Peryam
• Mark Nuss
• Nathan Benjamin
• Dan Schmidt
• Willis Jackson
• Sarah Dickey

iKC: The Unconference takes place on October 3, 2013 at H&R Block World Headquarters in downtown Kansas City.  A big thanks to a few of our new sponsors who have helped make iKC possible: eBeam, Boom Ideanet, City of Kansas City and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC)! For a full list of our sponsors, click here.

Apply now for the UnMentorship Program at iKC!

It’s Time to Vote for Your Favorite iKC Topics

Thanks to our strong startup community, we have received many different topic ideas in order for us to build the agenda for iKC: The Unconference. A huge thanks to everyone who submitted an idea or a topic--the unconference would not work without you!

But now, it’s time to vote. Starting September 26, voting for your favorite iKC topics will open on the IdeaScale platform. Here’s how it works:

1. Visit http://ikc.ideascale.com/ to view a list of all iKC topic ideas 
2. Vote for or against topic ideas using the “I agree” and “I disagree” buttons
3. The most popular ideas or topics will be displayed at iKC: The Unconference on October 3
4. iKC attendees will then vote or comment on the popular ideas during the opening reception of the unconference
5. The iKC staff will then build an agenda around the most popular ideas from the morning

A big thanks to our Agenda Creation Sponsor, Husch Blackwell. And of course, to those entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and connectors who have contributed to the IdeaScale platform for iKC to make it an action-oriented day for Kansas City! See you on October 3! Haven’t purchased an iKC ticket yet? Now’s the time to do it! Purchase your ticket here.

Nominate Your Favorite Tweeps to Win Free Tickets to iKC!

Do you know of a startup or small business that deserves to win a free ticket to iKC, but hasn’t purchased one yet? We want you to nominate them to win a ticket to the unconference! 

We’re giving away 2 free tickets to 5 different deserving groups and individuals nominated by our Twitter followers. The contest begins Monday, September 23 and runs until Friday, September 27.

Nominating an innovative organization is as easy as 1, 2, tweet! Follow iKC on Twitter (@iKC2013) and tweet @iKC2013 in 140 characters or less who you think could contribute innovative ideas at iKC and deserves a free ticket to the unconference.

Entrepreneurs are known for their innovative ideas; the goal of iKC is to make meaningful collisions that result in ideas that make an impact on our community as a whole.  So be sure to nominate people who not only deserve a ticket, but who can help create collisions and action at iKC 2013!

Nominate the innovators in your life today! Tweet @iKC2013. 

iKC Invites You to its Closing Session & Celebration!

PHOTO CREDIT: ExploreKansasCity.com

From what we’ve learned after planning multiple events for entrepreneurs and innovators, some of the best conversations happen after the event doors close. And that’s precisely why we are inviting all iKC attendees as well as the general public to join us to the iKC Closing Session immediately after the iKC: The Unconference at 4:15pm at the Alamo Drafthouse downtown (sponsored by Google Fiber!).

What can you expect at the Closing Session? More than the typical event closing...

Drinks, Apps and Networking
What’s a closing ceremony without drinks, appetizers and networking? You’ll work up a thirst and a hunger during iKC: The Unconference, so be sure to walk over to the Alamo Drafthouse immediately after iKC for refreshments and power networking.

Open Mic Awards (Brought to you by the City of Kansas City, Missouri)
Did someone stand out to you during iKC? Did someone contribute something to the unconference and you’d like to give them recognition for it? Did you notice that someone stepped out of their comfort zone and participated in the unconference? If so, we want you to recognize that person! The City of Kansas City, Missouri’s Open Mic Awards gives you the opportunity to reward someone for their iKC participation or contribution during the Closing Session. Simply select a gift, step up to the microphone and speak to the crowd about who made a big impact during the unconference. (Oh, and did we mention we have gifts from Boulevard, Indigo Wild, The Kansas City Chiefs, Z Strike and more?)

The Tech Trek Premiere
We are thrilled to announce that the iKC Closing Session will also feature the premiere showing of The Tech Trek, a Google Glass-enabled documentary shot by local Kansas City entrepreneurs. The premiere starts at 6:30pm. Tickets to The Tech Trek premiere are free to iKC attendees and $10.00 for the general public.

As busy entrepreneurs, we understand that sometimes you just don’t have the time to attend a full-day conference. But if you’re anything like us, you also hate missing out on the action. So even if you are unable to attend iKC: The Unconference on October 3, we want to invite you to our iKC Closing Session. And trust us when we say you won’t want to miss out.

A special thanks to Red Bull, our sponsor for Closing Session beverages and DJ. Also, thank you to Google Fiber, our sponsor for the Alamo Drafthouse arcade. To see a full list of event sponsors, click here.

Announcing the iKC Ambassadors

For the second year in a row, we have teamed up with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce to bring KC an (un)conference unlike any other.  iKC: The Unconference is an open format conference to facilitate collisions between innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and connectors.

Unlike any other event in Kansas City, iKC is all about taking great ideas and turning them into action.  And that’s also where the iKC Ambassadors come into play.  The iKC Ambassadors will not only be in attendance at iKC on October 3, but they will play an integral part in bringing iKC awareness to the community and fostering more collisions and connections both prior to and during the unconference.  

A big thanks to our iKC Ambassadors:

• Sam Bao, Curator at StartupDigest
• Adam Coomes, Kansas City Entrepreneur
• Katie Peterson, Director at iStart, Manager in Networks and Innovation at the Kauffman Foundation
• Perry Pucetti, President and CEO of Triple-I
• Carrie Royce, Founder of Shabby Hats and Prodigy Arcade
• Ryan Weber, President of KCNext–The Technology Council of Greater Kansas City 

In addition to our Ambassadors, iKC: The Unconference will also feature a 1-on-1 UnMentor program.  Current UnMentors include Keith Bae, Pat Doherty, Dr. Julie Edge and Ryan O’Connell.  Stay tuned as we announce more UnMentors in the coming weeks.  Attendees can sign up to be mentees of the UnMentor program by filling out the online application.  In order to apply for the 1-on-1 program with one of our UnMentors, you must purchase an iKC ticket. 

iKC: The Unconference takes place on October 3, 2013 at H&R Block World Headquarters in downtown Kansas City.  A big thanks to our iKC Location Sponsor, H&R Block and the iKC Agenda Creation Sponsor, Husch Blackwell.  A special thanks to our newest sponsors including Centrix Innovations, Kansas City Business Magazine, Adopt-a-Highway, Inboun, CBIZ and Microsoft BizSpark.  To see a full list of sponsors, click here.

Get tickets to iKC: The Unconference!

Just 1 Month Until iKC: The Unconference!

Kansas City’s newest unconference, iKC, is one month away! Have you purchased your tickets yet? Submitted your ideas? Gotten involved? Now’s the time to do it!

iKC: The Unconference takes place on October 3 at H&R Block World Headquarters. And if you’re anything like us, you simply cannot wait. In order to ease your anticipation, we encourage you to do a little preparation. This year, iKC 2013 will be powered by you, the attendees, through topics submitted through our IdeaScale platform. The ideas that are submitted will then be turned into unique breakout sessions like unpanels, Q&As, short format presentations and more.

Want to get involved with iKC: The Unconference? Partner with us! Join outstanding supporters like H&R Block, Garmin, CommunityAmerica, Google Fiber, Sprint, Inboun, Mazuma Credit Union and Park University.

And be sure to stay tuned to the @iKC2013 Twitter feed for more info about the unconference like new sponsors, speakers and ambassadors.

QUICK LINKS:

• Purchase tickets
• Become a sponsor
• Submit an idea

Why Kansas City Needs High Collision Density (And How We Can Get It)

It’s no secret that certain cities across the United States are “the place to be,” especially for entrepreneurs. We all hear about the startup successes in Silicon Valley, Boulder, Austin and Silicon Alley. But have you ever wondered why these cities are experiencing a startup boom? According to recent research, it probably has something to do with a little thing called “collision density”. 

What is Collision Density?

Collision density can be defined as the level of collisions made between entrepreneurs, investors and connectors in a single area. The higher an area’s collision density is, the more quickly and efficiently innovative development can occur. Therefore, the more collision density a city has, the better.

Collision Density in Kansas City

While entrepreneurship hotbeds like Silicon Valley, Silicon Alley, Boulder, and Austin have high rates of collision density, Kansas City’s is rather low. One of America’s most famous entrepreneurs, Philip Rosedale, has even noted that “collision density is 20 times less likely to occur in Kansas City than it is in San Francisco”. In our opinion, that is 20 times too many.

Kansas City’s lack of collision density doesn’t just hurt our local entrepreneurs. It can also negatively affect the KC economy. Without collision density, innovation is stopped in its tracks. Without collision density, people can’t meet and ideas can’t be acted upon. Without collision density, communities–and society, for that matter–can’t progress.

We aren’t the only ones bothered by KC’s lack of collision density. Some of Kansas City’s entrepreneurial leaders are also concerned. In a recent Silicon Prairie News article, leaders like Jo Anne Gabbert, president of JAG Portfolio services and Maria Meyers, CEO of U.S. SourceLink and KCSourceLink, bring awareness to the collision density problem.

In the article, Gabbert said, “What we think the future looks like is making sure [Kansas City’s assets like funding and community support] are all connected and interconnected in that ecosystem so it's very easy for an entrepreneur to navigate the Kansas City ecosystem. Yet somehow they're a bit fragmented or dysfunctional at times."

Myers adds that “One of the things that Kansas City's looking at is not so much that dearth of funding, but better organizing what's here."

But the future isn’t hopeless. According to Rosedale “it seems likely that [Omaha, Kansas City, and Des Moines] actually could have a vibrant/growing startup community, if only it could establish this high level of communication and proximity between a good number of its tech people.”

Increasing Kansas City’s Collision Density

So what can we do about Kansas City’s low collision density? We can start getting the entrepreneurs, innovators and investors together under one roof. Think Big Partners and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce hopes to bring these like-minded individuals together for iKC: the Unconference this October.

This unconference is like a regular conference, only better. It lacks a formalized structure so ideas and information can flow freely between innovators, entrepreneurs and investors. In this way, all of the great thinkers in Kansas City and the surrounding area are together, realizing they should be together more often. Thus, an increase in Kansas City’s collision density.

This year’s iKC will be held on October 3, 2013 at the H&R Block World Headquarters. Until then, you can submit ideas, apply for the 1-on-1 program and buy tickets to help us increase Kansas City’s collision density.


Want to improve Kansas City’s collision density before @iKC2013? Contact Think Big Partners to get started!