Next Think Big Accelerator Registration Window Opens Sept. 16

With the first Think Big Demo Day in the books, it’s now time to start looking for the next class of entrepreneurs ready build exceptional companies in the Think Big Accelerator. We’re looking for entrepreneurs who have the gusto to take a big idea and turn it into profitable company.   

If you think you have what it takes, we want to meet you. The application window for the next Think Big Accelerator opened on September 16, 2013. Interested parties can learn more about the Think Big Accelerator model by contacting us via email or visiting thinkbigpartners.com/accelerator. We’re excited to see what big ideas come out of our next class and what companies join the ranks of past successes.

Do you have what it takes? Apply for the Think Big Accelerator today!

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!

Think Big Asks “Why Entrepreneurship?”

We sat down with three young entrepreneurs--Blake Miller, Hunter Browning and Jeff Rohr--to find out why they chose entrepreneurship. 

Entrepreneurship is not for everyone.  But according to a recent Mashable article, almost half of Americans wish it was.

Despite recent economic troubles, 48% of Americans dream of opening a business of their very own. At the same time, 71% of small business owners say they would open their business all over again if they had the chance. So what is it about entrepreneurship that awakens the dreamer in us?

To answer this question, Think Big reached out to some of our favorite local entrepreneurs and coworking members to see why they took the plunge and started their own business.  Here’s what we found out. 

The Realization of Wanting to Become an Entrepreneur 

                

Hunter Browning, President and CEO of Fannect, never thought he would become an entrepreneur, but he “was never great at playing by other people’s rules”.

Fannect, a new app that determines which sports teams have the best fans, stems from Browning’s love of soccer. After he decided to stop playing, he wanted to stay connected to sports another way.

“I guess I was experiencing withdrawal from the competition. I had the idea and the next week I found a partner. We pulled the trigger pretty fast,” Browning said.

Think Big’s own Blake Miller, however, always saw himself as an entrepreneur.

“I grew up in an entrepreneurial household. I knew I wanted to become an entrepreneur when I started my own business at 6 years old,” Miller said. “Corporate life was never in the cards for me.”

Miller is now a partner at Think Big Partners and also acts as co-founder for PitchCastr, BodeeFit and WeeJay.fm among other things (it’s safe to say that Blake is a serial entrepreneur). 

Much like Miller, CEO and founder of SquareOffs, Jeff Rohr, was also destined to become an entrepreneur.

“My parents instilled in my brother and I at a very young age that we were meant for big things and gave us the courage to go after our dreams,” Rohr said. “You only live once as well, so you might as well do something big. I was never meant to follow the well-trodden path.”

How Entrepreneurs Think Big

At first, Browning and his team were working on their entrepreneurial venture on their own – but then they started to Think Big.

“I was leery about moving to a coworking space,” Browning said. “I thought it would be very distracting, but everyone at Think Big is very focused. It’s been great for finding connections and gaining insight. Moving to Think Big has jumpstarted us again.”

Rohr also finds himself appreciative of not only the many connections he has forged at Think Big, but of the many other resources he has been able to utilize for his business.

“The connections that I've made there have been priceless,” Rohr said. “Beyond that, [Think Big] has given me great advice, helped us attract talent, challenged me where I needed improvement, and lastly made me smile.  They are great people making a difference in people's lives every day and having fun while doing it.  Oh, and coffee. They give me a lot of coffee.”

As a partner with Think Big, Miller loves “being able to help other entrepreneurs build companies.”

“It’s a no-brainer to me. We can build our own companies and ideas and help other people achieve that,” Miller said.

Can’t Get Enough Entrepreneurship

While the state of the economy may deter others from pursuing entrepreneurship, that was never a problem for Miller.

“I’ve always known that entrepreneurs help move the economy along,” Miller said. “Small businesses employ more people. I know I can create a difference by creating new jobs.”

According to a recent study, 59% of business owners said running a business is harder today than in previous years. Despite this, Kansas City’s entrepreneurs are reveling in the day-to-day challenges of running a startup.

“[Entrepreneurial ventures] are all tougher than you think they’re going to be,” Miller said. “But being that hard, that challenging, keeps me going. If it were easy, I probably wouldn’t do it.”

“It can be death by a thousand cuts if you let it,” Rohr said. “There are so many different hats to wear when starting the business before you can get in any sort of groove. For me, it's been all about maintaining the right balance focus and feedback.”

Despite challenges, Browning enjoys the freedom that entrepreneurship gives him. He lives by his own rules at his own pace.

“It has been a really interesting and really unique experience,” Browning said. “We’re having a blast every day. Even when it’s hard, it’s our choices we are making.”

If I Could Do It All Over Again...

When asked if he would start this whole entrepreneurial ride over again, Browning was quick to say, “In a heartbeat.”

Miller is also just as passionate about entrepreneurship as the day he opened his first lemonade stand.

“I like the freedom and always having to be creative. I will likely be involved in hundreds of ventures,” Miller said.

Ready to pursue your dreams of entrepreneurship? Contact Think Big Partners.  We know exactly how to get you started.  

5 Questions with WSJ “Startup of the Year” Finalist PlanetReuse

As anybody in the Kansas City startup world knows, our city is full of great startups.  But in the grand scheme of things, we are just one city on a large United States map.  There are thousands and thousands of startups being built throughout our country, and standing out from the rest is an extremely arduous task.  Of all of the hundreds of thousands of startups in our nation, it’s nearly impossible to narrow down the best ones.  But thanks to some incredible work and research done by a publication called The Wall Street Journal, it can be done...and has.

The Wall Street Journal recently announced 24 companies for its Wall Street Journal Startup of the Year (#WSJSOTY) initiative.  Over the next few months, The Wall Street Journal will be tasking their 24 finalists, from over 500 entrants, with milestone tasks, ultimately leading up to the crowning the Wall Street Journal’s Startup of The Year.

Of those 24 finalists, only one hails from Kansas City.  Lucky for us, this new company is stationed on the 5^th floor of Think Big Coworking, our well-known coworking space in downtown Kansas City.  Which company, you ask? PlanetReuse Marketplace powered by InvenQuery, one of the oldest members of Think Big Coworking. 

Nathan Benjamin, CEO of PlanetReuse.

Think Big was fortunate enough to snag 10 minutes with Nathan Benjamin, CEO of PlanetReuse to talk more about being a top 24 finalist for Startup of the Year.  

THINK BIG:  How did you hear about The Wall Street Journal’s Startup of the Year award?

NATHAN:  We heard about the opportunity through Pipeline and applied for the program. There was an extensive application process and out of more than 500 startups nationwide, we were selected.  We’re excited to represent not only the Midwest, but our local Kansas City startup community as well.

THINK BIG:  So far, what has this experience been like?

NATHAN: It's been challenging, but in a good way. Wall Street Journal is assigning tasks for each of the companies along the way. The first task (which will be aired in a few weeks) really encouraged us to step outside our comfort zone as a team and look at the way we were presenting ourselves to our current and potential customers. The task asked us to re-imagine our logo, our tagline even our company name. It urged us to examine our core value and to consider how we might best communicate it to different audiences, which gave us a deeper understanding of what makes us unique among our competitors.

They also just announced which mentors would be paired with which startups and we couldn’t be more pleased. We're excited to study under the expertise of our mentors Carly Fiorina and Alex Osterwalder, who both have incredibly impressive, successful backgrounds. We're looking forward to their suggestions and feedback on our concept, our marketing and our operations.

THINK BIG:  Of all the business challenges of the program, what task(s) do you feel PlanetReuse will excel in?

We think that we will excel at many of the tasks and feel that our mission and direction of the company are aligned with the criteria for the SOTY: First, the social impact of the business and second, the viability of the business.

I also think we can nail the elevator pitch task. We’ve been working to narrow down exactly what makes PlanetReuse Marketplace a viable, disruptive company and our passion shows through in our presentation. I was actually just asked last week by Scott Case with the Startup America Partnership to deliver a 30-second pitch on the spot at the 1 Million Cups event at Kauffman Foundation here in Kansas City—a little nerve-wracking, but great practice for the tasks to come.

THINK BIG:  Have you seen or experienced any impact from being chosen as 1 of 24 finalists?

Definitely.  We’ve seen a deluge of support from the Kansas City startup community. We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of friends and family who have voted for us on the WSJSOTY site, along with so many of our startup comrades. The KC startup community is incredibly kind to one another and the social media attention we’ve received has been just amazing. We’ve also received really great press from local media outlets. It just reaffirms our belief that Kansas City really is the best place to start a business.

THINK BIG:  Even though it is early, if PlanetReuse were to win SOTY, how do you think that would elevate the business?

It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to educate the country about the positive impacts of material reuse, inspiring a huge audience to think reused before new and donate before ditch. Communicating this message to millions nationwide makes us and the reuse industry "winners" already.

We take a triple bottom line approach to business, ensuring that people, the planet and profit are all taken into account. Winning would be a fantastic platform for fundraising and finding like-minded individuals who share our belief that we can do well by doing good. It would also be confirmation that sustainable businesses, ones that can make money while making a difference in their communities, are not only valuable, but viable and the way of the future.

---

We’re excited for what’s in store for Nathan and the rest of the PlanetReuse Marketplace team. Learn more and follow along with their journey on WSJSOTY and be sure to vote for PlanetReuse here.

043 Think Big Radio: Top 9 Questions to Ask Before Naming Your Startup

043 Think Big Radio: Top 9 Questions to Ask Before Naming Your Startup

Google.  Tumblr.  Twitter.  Zaarly.  They’re all successful companies, but where in the heck did their names come from?  When determining the name of your startup, there are a lot of things to keep in mind.  Do you want one of these “whacky” names that mean virtually nothing, or do you want to keep it simple like AutoZone, Burger King or Stanley Steamer?  There are multiple ways to go about naming your business, but before you do, be sure to ask yourself these 9 questions:

1. What is your brand positioning?
2. Is the name too limiting (or too broad)?
3. Does the name make sense?
4. Is the name easy to remember?
5. Can people spell the name easily?
6. Does the name sound good?
7. Does the name reach your target audience?
8. Does the name look good on paper?
9. Is the name already trademarked?

So listen up, tune in and Think Big!  In this episode of Think Big Radio, Derek and Allison discuss the top 9 questions to ask yourself when naming your business.  Keep all of these questions in mind before you jot anything down on your formal business plan.

Follow Allison at @AllisonThinkBig & Derek at @DerekCOlsen.

What is “Seinfeld for Startups”?

Throughout the history of television, there have been thousands of successful TV shows-- most of them with short runs and quickly forgotten.  A show truly becomes a hit when it transcends past just having good ratings and enters into the culture of a society. The TV shows that tend to achieve this level do so because the audience isn’t just watching characters on the screen, they are relating themselves to the characters.  The characters become people the audience identifies with, sympathizes with, or perhaps even hate. 

The best TV shows teach things about everyday life that are often lost on us because we’re moving too fast.  These programs provide us with laughter when needed and make us feel emotions when we least expect.

In short, they are shows like Seinfeld. For nine seasons Jerry, George, Elaine, Kramer, and even Newman, entertained the American public with a show about nothing because it was about everything.

There are people who watched Seinfeld and then there’s the people that really watched Seinfeld and thanks to syndication, still do to this day. Think Big founding partner Tyler Prochnow falls into the latter. Tyler is a believer that every situation people face can be explained by a Seinfeld episode. So strongly, in fact, that he has created a blog, Seinfeld for Startups, to prove his point.

For a better description of how and why this idea came about, the new blogger explains:

“I can’t remember the last time I went through a day without some event triggering a Seinfeld memory.  I was discussing this with some friends at a dinner one night and a challenge was issued.  Could I come up with 5 relevant Seinfeld references before dinner was finished.  Let’s just say that was over before dessert was served.  So that got me thinking, if Seinfeld was such a big part of our everyday life, and my everyday life consists largely of working with entrepreneurs, could I use Seinfeld to assist startup companies as they grow.  And thus, ‘Seinfeld for Startups’ was born.  Each week we will feature two episodes of the show, a little synopsis and a lesson to be gleaned by entrepreneurs along with hopefully a lot of laughs and pleasant memories.  The goal right now is to tackle every episode--1 through 180.”

Now that Tyler’s theory has legs, his blog will begin its 18-month (if everything goes according to plan) trek into the bizarre, well-composed mind of an entrepreneur/Seinfeld fanatic. Will Tyler complete all 180 episodes? You’ll have to keep tuning in to find out.

On a personal note, we can’t wait for Tyler’s take on The Hamptons episode.

Get acquainted with the first five episodes of Seinfeld and follow along with Seinfeld for Startups right here!

St. Louis Startup LockerDome Hits 4 Million Users, Preps for a Busy 2013

Two weeks ago, The St. Louis Business Journal reported that startup company LockerDome hit 3 million monthly unique users.

But there’s even more reason to celebrate today—another 1 million reasons to celebrate to be exact.

This week, LockerDome hit the 4 million monthly unique users mark.  The St. Louis-based startup grew its user base a whopping 5.6% on Sunday, December 8, 2012 alone.  The company saw more growth in that one day than it had in the first 12 weeks of launch. Fifteen times this year LockerDome has set a new single week growth record.  Each week, the startup’s user base grows about 14%.

LockerDome is a social media network for sports fans, professional athletes and even young athletes.  The social network allows for interaction, content production, posting and sports-related networking and connecting.  The platform allows its now 4 million plus users to create a profile for free, choose communities that interest them (over 1350 to choose from) and displays those interests in order to create connections.

“LockerDome is a place to interact with like-minded people who share the same sports interests that you do,” says LockerDome CEO Gabe Lozano.  “At first, we referred to it as Facebook for sports.  These days, however, LockerDome is all about consuming content and interacting in a manner that nurtures more relevant, deeper conversations about what you’re passionate about.”

What’s the secret sauce to LockerDome’s incredible growth?  According to both Gabe Lozano and LockerDome’s Director of Business Development, Mark Sanders, it takes a little bit of everything.  First and foremost, the platform incorporates a model that works seamlessly with the social media platforms we already use today, particularly Facebook and Twitter, while adding value in the places that those platforms don’t address particularly well.

“We figured out that we add an enormous amount of value to publishers, such as professional athletes and brands,” explains Lozano.  “Facebook doesn’t do everything on a social standpoint...especially for professional athletes and brands.  LockerDome fills the gaps.  It amplifies content and generates more followers and fans.”  In fact, professional athletes and brands utilizing the LockerDome platform have been noted to grow by 50% more Facebook fans and Twitter followers within just 4 and ½ months.

In addition to finding a niche-y need in the market, LockerDome utilizes contests in order to drive higher conversion rates.  The startup has seen immense success with their contests, with a 23% conversion rate.  The average rate of conversion for contests in the industry is around 2-3%.

Although 4 million users seems like a major reason to celebrate, both Lozano and Sanders believe that the startup has a long way to go.  On top of operating at a million miles per hour, the entire team at LockerDome is focused solely on “staying alive” and grabbing the opportunity while it’s still there.

“We’re taking things one day at a time,” says Sanders.  “We are happy to be in the situation we’re in right now.  What we do in 2013 depends on the users—we are going to build what they want.”

Many publications predict that LockerDome will quickly become one of the top 10 sports sites for online traffic behind (or perhaps in front of) competitors such as Bleacher Report.  All other top 10 sports websites are owned by major media or sports organizations.

“We believe firmly in the channelization of social.” states Lozano.  “There are times, especially in sports, when most people would rather communicate with like-minded people that share the same interests than merely with their friends. We are solving for that.”

Follow LockerDome! @LockerDome 

Hackovate Health Opens Submission Doors for Healthcare Innovation Competition

Think Big Partners and H&R Block have opened the submission doors for the 2012-2013 Hackovate Health innovation competition!  From now until January 31, 2013, entrepreneurs, innovators, tech startups, hopsitals, physicians, telemedicine professionals, healthcare companies and students are invited to submit their health innovation ideas and companies into Hackovate Health to win big prizes and life-changing opportunities.

So what do you need to know?  Here's some info to get you started:

WHO:  Applicants must be seeking funding, looking to obtain customers and/or willing to be acquired.  These applicants include:

• Entrepreneurs, innovators and tech startups
• Hospitals, physicians and telemedicine professionals
• Healthcare companies and providers
• Corporate innovators
• Students

WHAT: A global innovation competition to identify innovative, mobile, online social and other applications to help consumers navigate the new healthcare landscape.

WHEN: 
Application Period: Now – January 31, 2013 11:59PM CST
Finale: February 26, 2013

WHERE:
Worldwide innovation competition
Finale at Union Station in Kansas City, MO, USA.

WHY:  To improve the overall US healthcare systems by reducing costs, preserving quality care, improving healthcare satisfaction and supporting both innovation and job creation throughout the United States.

SUBMISSIONS CATEGORY EXAMPLES:

Innovative technology that does one or more of the following:

• Reduces healthcare costs, preserves quality care and/or improves healthcare satisfaction
• Reduces income disparity in the US
• Combats fraud, waste and abuse through prevention of improper payments
• Supports telemedicine, health robotics, wearable health, predictive intelligence or other trending topics in the health tech industry
• Reduces the budget deficit through big data
• Addresses those people in the Digital Inclusion (low income families that do not have the available resources to take advantage of new technologies that can assist in improving their education, communication and overall quality of life)
• Improves consumer health through exercise, diet management and weight loss
• Informs consumers facing a medical crisis
• Provides a platform for easier communications in healthcare education for small businesses, corporations and individuals
• Increases productivity and reduces costs
• Creates incentives for doctors, hospitals, and other providers of healthcare—or even their patients—to optimize efficiency or control costs
• Integrates data pools such as pharmaceutical R&D data, clinical data, activity (claims) and cost data and patient behavior and sentiment data
• Analyzes clinical outcome data to improve clinical decision making and leverage patient databases
• Provides online platforms and communities within the healthcare or medical industries
• Utilizes ultra high-speed, programmable broadband to bring innovative new products and services to the healthcare and medical industries
• Aids in the analysis, aggregation, manipulation and management of big data
• Promotes the research and development of better analytics for controlling healthcare costs 
• Enables partnerships and public awareness of the impact that advanced analytics can and is having on controlling healthcare costs
• Raises professional and public awareness of the impact that advanced analytics can and is having on controlling healthcare costs

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Receive coaching and mentoring from business, policy and investor community leaders in the entrepreneurship and healthcare arenas
• The opportunity to take a big idea and quickly turn it  a joint-venture partnership, strategic relationship or a potentially build a brand new company together
• Main prizes courtesy of H&R Block will be awarded to the top 3 innovative ideas.  Prizes include $15,000, $5,000 and $2,500 with the opportunity to meet senior management for additional discussions.

HOW TO SUBMIT:  Simply visit www.hackovate.com and locate the HOW TO ENTER tab at the top of the page.  Next, click the green SUBMIT NOW button.  This button will take you to the Hackovate iStart page, courtesy of our friends at the Kauffman Foundation.  iStart will allow you to log in or register and submit your idea, startup, company, technology or innovation into our judging platform.  Be sure to fill out all of the necessary information.

LEARN MORE:

www.hackovate.com 

info@hackovate.com

@hackovate

029 Think Big Radio: The Top 10 Things Startups Won't Tell You

029 Think Big Radio: The Top 10 Things Startups Won't Tell You

In this episode of Think Big Radio, Derek and Allison dive into something that many entrepreneurs want to know, but rarely ever get direct answers to.  It's the Top 10 Things Startups Won't Tell You.  Here at Think Big Partners, we want you to know what you're in for when you decide to enter the world of entrepreneurship.  This episode will help you understand the aspects of entrepreneurship that many founders, CEOs and startups may not tell you about.  It's the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Top 10 Things Startups Won't Tell You:

1.  "Our business is just as likely to fail as it is to succeed."
2.  "Sometimes, getting funding seems impossible."
3.  "Stock in the startup is probably not going to happen...at least for awhile."
4.  "We change the investment rules."
5.  "You probably don't want to work for us."
6.  "My parents invested money in my business."
7.  "I don't really have a life anymore..."
8.  "We hate our competitors."
9.  "I'm terrified to share my idea."
10.  "We have no clue what we're doing." 

Be One of the First to Develop on Windows 8 and Microsoft Azure Cloud

Think Big Partners has teamed up with Microsoft to create and host Azure Cloud and Windows 8 App Kickstarts to educate startups and developers how to effectively utilize and build on Microsoft Azure and Windows 8 platforms.  The free event (tickets are limited) will take place at Think Big Partners’ coworking space, bizperc, on October 15-17, 2012.  And trust us when we say that is a developer's dream event come true.  

These App Kickstarts will be a key opportunity for developers, hackers, coders, entrepreneurs and startups to learn how to build apps on Windows 8 and deploy to the Microsoft Azure Cloud platform before the Windows 8 becomes generally available to the public on October 26, 2012.  With over 90% of the market share, the Windows operating system has remained one of the top platforms for development to date.  This limited event will provide attendees with a head start on building new, innovative applications on one of the most powerful operating systems and cloud platforms in the world, Windows 8 and Microsoft Azure.   

On October 16, 2012, the first official day App Kickstarts, participants are invited to learn how to build, deploy and manage applications across the Microsoft Azure platform.  Attendees will be educated on how emerging businesses can best leverage Azure through CMS systems, how to create and scale customer websites in PHP and Node.js, how to deploy code updates using GIT, how to run Azure Windows and Linux VM’s, how to store data in Azure, and how to use Azure’s many platform services including Queues, Service Bus, and Authentication.  Microsoft engineers will also be on hand to provide consulting, insight, and mentoring for participants.  Attendees must bring a laptop and sign up for Azure prior to the event.  Developers may sign up for the Azure 90 day free trial.  Startups and entrepreneurs who qualify for BizSpark should sign up for BizSpark and activate an Azure account prior to the event. 

Startups and entrepreneurs are also invited to learn about the Microsoft BizSpark Program and how to use its 2,000 partners in order to connect with incubators, investors, advisors, government agencies and hosters.  

On the second day of App Kickstarts, participants will be invited to learn how to build Windows 8 Metro style apps using HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript.  Attendees will be educated on Windows 8 navigation, user experience patterns, inherent async design and integration.  The day will be focused around building new applications on the Windows 8 platform.  Microsoft engineers will also be present at the event to provide insight, mentorship and expertise in order to help participants.  Attendees must bring a laptop and install the RTM version of Windows 8 prior to the event. 

Before the official event on October 16, attendees and the Kansas City tech community are invited to attend a cocktail hour on Monday, October 15, 2012 from 6:00-9:00pm.  At the cocktail hour, attendees will have access to technical evangelists and representatives from Microsoft who will answer Windows 8, Azure and BizSpark questions.  Event attendees are also encouraged to bring a laptop if assistance is needed loading the Azure or Windows 8 trial platforms.     

On October 18, 2012, attendees are also invited to participate in a one-on-one question-and-answer session with Taylor Cowan, Microsoft’s startup evangelist.  Taylor will be available to answer questions about Windows 8, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft BizSpark and how to engineer a product over the multiple Microsoft platforms. 

“Given Microsoft’s rich history and technological power, this event will truly give developers and hackers a leg up in the industry,” said Blake Miller, local Kansas City developer at Think Big Partners.  “In the startup world, things move pretty fast.  Having the opportunity to be one of the first to develop on Windows 8 and Azure while being able to ask questions and receive answers directly from the source will not only put the startups we work with on the map, but all of Kansas City on the fast track to success."

This free event offers the Midwest an opportunity to "get in front of" the technology curve, or at least keep pace with parts of the country like Silicon Valley, NY, Boston and Austin. According to Gartner & Morgan Stanley research, smart phone technology adoption moves very fast. "A few years ago, there was no real "smart phone" market - it was an iPhone market. Apple owned the space. Android changed all that. Today, there are legitimately 2 platforms for developers to roll out apps that get used by the world's consumers," said Herb Sih, Managing Partner of Think Big Partners. "We believe Microsoft will create the 3rd platform that will disrupt the app marketplace. There is room for another player, and I would not bet against them given their focus, talent and market presence in the world of today's consumer. Smart developers ultimately figure out that it matters what their customers think, what they do and where they go. That is what drives app revenue."

The Microsoft Azure Cloud and Windows 8 App Kickstarts will take place October 15-17, 2012 at bizperc, located at 1800 Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri.  This event is free to register.  Space is limited and we expect to have high demand.  Entrepreneurs, startups, developers, and hackers are invited to register for the free limited event at www.microsoftkickstart.eventbrite.com.  

bizperc Member Spotlight: IM For Solos

Meet Shea Glenny—Internet marketing strategist and founder of IM For Solos.  Launching her own business happened the way it does for many entrepreneurs out there—with a passion. Shea decided she wanted to help people, but not the way her pre-med degree would suggest. After a few years in the nonprofit workforce, Shea decided to make a major life change.  She wanted to make the life of a small business owner easier after discovering that marketing can add value to people’s lives.

Her company, IM For Solos, does just that.  Formalized a year ago, Shea and a group of hardworking contractors help startups with everything from SEO to web banner advertising. 

So why should you put your business in the hands of IM for Solos? This company focuses on business owners who are hands-on. Shea’s goal is to become your trusted advisor.  She’s always available to phone, email, text or Skype her clients and attempts to get to know them like the back of her hand.  Plus, if you live in Kansas, Missouri, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas or Nevada, she’ll come meet face-to-face with you for a reduced travel fee (she gets to visit family while you get to meet the brains behind the biz. Win-win!).

Her favorite part of coworking at bizperc? “It’s a great hub for business activity. It’s quiet, you can meet with clients and network and it’s a positive environment. You realize you’re not alone.” Being an entrepreneur can be tough at its worst, but being surrounded by other startups, people who are going through the same problems, really helps Shea stay sane.

Shea Thinks Big when she has a high vantage point or view of an expansive body of water. Physically broadening her perspective, like on the rooftop at bizperc, gives her brain has freedom to come up with a big solution.

Gold Medal Lessons: 3 Tips Your Startup Can Takeaway from the 2012 Olympics

Unless you have been living under a rock, it is safe to assume you have caught a few minutes (or in the case of very dedicated viewers, a few hours) of the 2012 London Olympics.  The 2012 Games produce the same emotions that every Olympic event does—tears of joy, cheers of celebration, and even the pain of defeat and disappointment.  But what has been different about this year’s Olympic Games...and what can you take away from it?

The 2012 London Olympics can teach us some extremely valuable lessons in the startup world.  And lucky for you, we are here to fill you in with 3 gold medal tips: 

Don’t Let the Critics Bring You Down

Beginning with faultfinders of the Games’ Opening Ceremonies and carrying on to critics of NBC’s coverage, this year’s Olympics have been under much scrutiny.  But regardless of the criticism, the Games are still underway and NBC continues its coverage with fans and supporters all around the globe.  So how does this relate to the world of entrepreneurship?  

From the get go, criticism has been prevalent in the 2012 Olympics but that did not interfere with the determination and work ethic of both the Great Britain Olympic Association or NBC. Early-stage criticism should not bring entrepreneurs down either.  In fact, entrepreneurs should use this negative feedback to their advantage.  Use the criticisms to make your startup a better one. From there, it’s important to believe in your startup and let your confidence carry it through.

Team Is Most Important

Gabby Douglas, otherwise known in the 2012 Games as the “Flying Squirrel”, was expected to add another medal to her accomplishments in her performance on the uneven bars just as Jordan Weiber, former AA world champ, was expected to advance to the individual all around competition.  Unfortunately, both girls did not achieve what they may have expected.  And while both Olympians did not succeed on their own, it was in the team finals where they achieved the most satisfying gold of all. 

Whether you are a promised member of the USA Women’s Gymnastics Team or a solo entrepreneur trying to build a successful startup, you need a team to help you achieve success.  Remember—we all achieve greater accomplishments when we do it together.  Share your ideas.  Find new talent.  Grow with others. 

Represent Yourself Carefully

The 2012 London Olympics were hyped up to be the first “Social Olympics”, and so far, they have proven to be just that.  Unfortunately, social media did not always capture the best of the athletes competing in the Games.  Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou, along with many others, found out the hard way that 140 characters can destroy a reputation.  After sending an offensive tweet, Voula was expelled from the Games altogether.  While she affirmed it was a joke, others did not find the humor.

Just as Olympic athletes do, your startup also reflects itself through its social media usage.  Remember to mind your social media manners and represent yourself carefully and intelligently while staying true to your brand.

There you have it—three tips from the 2012 Olympics to send your startup on its way to achieving the gold! Move over, Michael Phelps; these entrepreneurs are on a mission!