KCnext http://www.kcnext.com The Technology Council of Greater Kansas City Thu, 24 May 2012 20:42:23 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 KCnexthttp://feedburner.google.com KCnext member company Lantern Software launches Android app, helps consumers save BIG http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/22/kcnext-member-company-lantern-launches-android-app-helps-consumers-save-big/ http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/22/kcnext-member-company-lantern-launches-android-app-helps-consumers-save-big/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 18:49:45 +0000 KCnext http://www.kcnext.com/?p=1427 Read more »]]> Lantern launched its Android app to help consumers find the best deals – in real time. And, here’s the best part – it doesn’t require users to pay up-front to reserve vouchers. According to an article released by Silicon Prairie News, the software was created to provide a coupon exchange product for merchants to customize and consumers to save.

Co-founder Aaron Sloup created Lantern because of some bad Groupon experiences. “All these bad experiences got me thinking there had to be a better way. I wanted to get those vouchers for free, and I wanted to use them instantly,” Sloup. “Making a smartphone app was a natural choice for how to do that.” Read the full interview. 

Silicon Prairie News | May 2012  

The site is now live in Google Play. View more details about Lantern in the video below, courtesy of Sloup.  

]]> http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/22/kcnext-member-company-lantern-launches-android-app-helps-consumers-save-big/feed/ 0 KCnext member company Arsalon Technologies expands data center space http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/21/kcnext-member-company-arsalon-technologies-expands-data-center-space/ http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/21/kcnext-member-company-arsalon-technologies-expands-data-center-space/#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 19:22:55 +0000 KCnext http://www.kcnext.com/?p=1421 Read more »]]> Lenexa-based web hosting company Arsalon Technologies started a $5 million expansion of one of its data centers, with plans to nearly double its workforce. According to the Kansas City Business Journal, this project is roughly one year ahead of schedule. The company is benefiting from growth in cloud computing services. Read the full story.

Kansas City Business Journal | May 2012 

]]> http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/21/kcnext-member-company-arsalon-technologies-expands-data-center-space/feed/ 0 KCnext Member Company Angel Capital Group Hires New Midwest Director http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/14/kcnext-member-company-angel-capital-group-hires-new-midwest-director/ http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/14/kcnext-member-company-angel-capital-group-hires-new-midwest-director/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 20:39:20 +0000 KCnext http://www.kcnext.com/?p=1367 Read more »]]> The Angel Capital Group (ACG), with offices in Kansas City, Mo., recently announced Michelle deSilva as its new Midwest Director.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Angel Capital Group. Kansas City is a rapidly growing market for entrepreneurship, and the unique way the Angel Capital Group approaches Angel Investing is a great resource for our community,” said deSilva.

Prior to ACG, deSilva was treasurer at Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation. She currently serves on the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault board of directors and is an executive board member at Chatham Yacht Club. deSilva is a former member of the board of directors at Starlight Theatre.

Previously, deSilva was a wealth manager at Pegasus Capital Management, worked in Boston at Fidelity Investments and was employed at Thomson Reuters in portfolio and systems management.

According to the release, Angel Capital Group has invested in 13 companies since 2007, including KC Biomedix and Kansas-based LeadHorse Technologies. In addition, ACG is the first Angel group in the country with multiple locations that invest as one large organization. Additional locations include Nashville and Knoxville, Tenn., Jackson, Miss., and Naples, Fla. “Our approach to Angel Investing is to find the best companies to invest in – regardless of location,” said Rachel Qualls, ACG founder and CEO. “This approach provides local entrepreneurs access to more deals and a larger investor base.”

Please join KCnext, ACG and KC’s tech community as we welcome Michelle to her new role.

]]> http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/14/kcnext-member-company-angel-capital-group-hires-new-midwest-director/feed/ 0 Google Presents Google for Small Businesses 101 http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/07/google-presents-google-for-small-businesses-101/ http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/07/google-presents-google-for-small-businesses-101/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 22:14:35 +0000 KCnext http://www.kcnext.com/?p=1350 Read more »]]> This is a program from Google that makes it easy and fast for any business to get online while streamlining setup, minimizing maintenance and saving on IT costs. Google for Small Businesses 101 offers small business owners a preview to the different products Google has created specifically for them. 

WHEN: Tuesday, May 8, 12 noon-2 PM
WHERE: West Wyandotte  Library, 1737 N. 82nd Street, KCK, in the auditorium 
RSVP: Call 913-371-3070 or email receptionist@kckchamber.com

 
In this FREE session, participants will learn about Google’s various Online Tools, including:

1. How to Get Found on Google: Can customers find you when they search? We will help you learn how.
2. Google+: Build your online community. Learn how a Google+ page will help you grow with your customers.
3. Get Unique Insight: Google offers free tools to help you gain insight on how people search, visitor behavior on your website, your online reputation, and your website’s compatibility with mobile devices.
4. Google Apps: Google’s suite of online tools makes collaboration a breeze.

This presentation will also cover Google Places, a free marketing tool that will help your clients find you. This product will enable business owners to list themselves on Google Maps. Learn how to check if you already have a places page, verify that your information is correct or set up a Google Places page if one does not currently exist.

This program is free for small business owners to attend but seating is limited. Lunch will be provided. Only one attendee per business. Please bring a laptop computer to the event if you have one.

The Google for Small Businesses 101 presentation is geared toward small businesses. Please visit http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/business/smbs.html to learn more about some of the products that will be highlighted. Google offers other apps specific to governments, schools, nonprofits and ISPs to meet their needs.


]]> http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/07/google-presents-google-for-small-businesses-101/feed/ 0 KC startup AgLocal is changing the meat industry http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/03/kc-startup-aglocal-is-changing-the-meat-industry/ http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/03/kc-startup-aglocal-is-changing-the-meat-industry/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 20:33:26 +0000 KCnext http://www.kcnext.com/?p=1360 Read more »]]> According to an article posted by Mashable, Kansas City-based startup AgLocal will make it easier for consumers to search for locally-raised beef, chicken and pork. The mobile-based app allows consumers to browse for local farms to order meat, which independent distributors will deliver to grocery stores, where individual buyers can claim their order.

In the article, AgLocal CEO Naithan Jones said, “There are a lot of services out there for vegetarians and vegans, but not for meat eaters. This app changes the way meat is bought and sold all over the world.” Read the full story.

Mashable.com | May 2012

]]> http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/03/kc-startup-aglocal-is-changing-the-meat-industry/feed/ 0 MDL Technology blogs about our Spring Networking Event http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/03/mdl-technology-blogs-about-our-spring-networking-event/ http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/03/mdl-technology-blogs-about-our-spring-networking-event/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 19:50:53 +0000 KCnext http://www.kcnext.com/?p=1357 Read more »]]> Many thanks to MDL Technology for posting this great recap of our Spring Networking Event!

“KCnext has been attracting crowds across the metro, specializing in mobile apps, software development, IT and investors.  Silicon Prairie has grown up!

Anytime you bring together like-minded individuals, you can expect great things to happen. It was great to see how strong the technology community in Kansas City has become and it’s always amazing to see people come together to share ideas on how to transform Kansas City into a technology hotspot. Events like these reinforce why Kansas City is in the running to be named the most entrepreneurial city in America.

I can’t wait until the next KCnext event, and I urge everyone to join!”

Read the full story.

MDL Technology Blog | May 2012

Thank you, MDL Technology! We can’t wait for the Summer Networking Event on Thursday, July 26. In the meantime, make sure to check out our video from the Spring event.

]]> http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/03/mdl-technology-blogs-about-our-spring-networking-event/feed/ 0 KC startup raises $500,000, nears release of first product launch http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/02/kc-startup-raises-500000-nears-release-of-first-product-launch/ http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/02/kc-startup-raises-500000-nears-release-of-first-product-launch/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 20:59:30 +0000 KCnext http://www.kcnext.com/?p=1318 Read more »]]> According to an article released by Silicon Prairie News, Cognovant, a Kansas City, Mo.-based startup that specializes in personal health record technology for mobile devices, closed a $500,000 seed round. This capital will help fund the company’s first product, PocketHealth. PocketHealth will revolutionize personalized healthcare as users will be allowed to capture data to better manage their wellness. Cognovant has projected a mid-May launch for PocketHealth. Read the full story.

Silicon Prairie News | May 2012

]]> http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/02/kc-startup-raises-500000-nears-release-of-first-product-launch/feed/ 0 KCnext member company Garmin gains in revenue to start 2012 http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/02/kcnext-member-company-garmin-gains-in-revenue-to-start-2012/ http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/02/kcnext-member-company-garmin-gains-in-revenue-to-start-2012/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 20:48:46 +0000 KCnext http://www.kcnext.com/?p=1365 Read more »]]> According to an article released by the Kansas City Star, GPS manufacturer Garmin Ltd., headquarted in Olathe, Kan., increased revenue across the board in the first quarter of 2012, and its stock rose nearly four percent. Total revenue for the months of January, February and March 2012 reached $557 million – a ten percent increase from first quarter of 2011.

Garmin officials said the company sold 2.7 million units in Q1 2012, up seven percent from one year ago. Read the full story.

Kansas City Star | May 2012

]]> http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/05/02/kcnext-member-company-garmin-gains-in-revenue-to-start-2012/feed/ 0 KCnext member company NIC makes gains on new services, broader adoption http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/04/30/kcnext-member-company-nic-makes-gains-on-new-services-broader-adoption/ http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/04/30/kcnext-member-company-nic-makes-gains-on-new-services-broader-adoption/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:48:51 +0000 KCnext http://www.kcnext.com/?p=1314 Read more »]]> NIC, a national provider of official government websites, online services and secure payment processing solutions, experienced double-digit gains in both revenue and earnings during the first quarter of 2012. NIC’s revenue increased by 14 percent, reaching $48.74 million, and its earnings increased by 11.3 percent, reaching $5.53 million. Read the full story.

Kansas City Business Journal | April 2012

]]> http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/04/30/kcnext-member-company-nic-makes-gains-on-new-services-broader-adoption/feed/ 0 Midwest Region Experiences High VC Spending Growth http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/04/19/midwest-region-experiences-high-vc-spending-growth/ http://www.kcnext.com/index.php/2012/04/19/midwest-region-experiences-high-vc-spending-growth/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:38:39 +0000 KCnext http://www.kcnext.com/?p=1296 Read more »]]> According to an article released by Silicon Prairie News, the Midwest outpaced every part of the country, except the South, in terms of percentage growth of venture capital investment during the second half of the last decade. From 2005 to 2010, the Midwest region saw a 103-percent increase in venture capital investment. VC investment grew from $706 million to $1.435 billion during this five year period. Read the full story.

Silicon Prairie News | April 2012

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