Think Big Partners

June 2013 Entrepreneur Corner: Zaarly Bazaar

2013-05-23T06:30:00.000-05:00

Now that summer is upon us, it’s time to celebrate and recognize all the hard work Kansas City’s entrepreneurs have done while suffering through the snowy winter. And we’re doing it this First Friday!

It’s time to kick off another summer of Entrepreneur Corner. If you’re not familiar with Entrepreneur Corner, it’s an event hosted by Think Big Partners during First Fridays at our headquarters in the heart of the Crossroads Arts District (1800 Baltimore). Each Entrepreneur Corner event serves as a showcase of local Kansas City entrepreneurs and startups.

The first Entrepreneur Corner of the year will take place on June 7th from 5:30-8:30pm in the Think Big Partners parking lot (our May EC was unfortunately canceled due to weather). For the month of June we are partnering with Zaarly to host a Zaarly Bazaar. The Bazaar will showcase Zaarly’s local small business storefronts.

We will also be featuring the First Friday by the Pitch app (powered by intev). The app is a one-stop-shop for info of every event happening on First Friday.

No amazing social event would be complete without drinks—and Think Big has that covered! If you’re wondering about music too, look no further. Think Big Accelerator company WeeJay will be demoing its technology that allows you to be the DJ!

So clear your calendars on June 7^th from 5:30-8:30pm and join us at Entrepreneur Corner to celebrate the beautiful weather and support local entrepreneurs and startups! See you then.

Is your startup interested in showcasing at a future Entrepreneur Corner? Contact us!

Top 11 Kansas City Startup Resources In 2013

2013-05-16T06:30:00.000-05:00

A long time ago (and we mean a long time ago) we developed a top 10 list of some of the best online and offline resources for entrepreneurs and startups in Kansas City. Now that almost three years have passed, it’s about time we update this list with some of the newest and best entrepreneur and startup resources in the Kansas City area. You may notice three years ago, we had a list of just 10 resources. This year, we are publishing 11—and you’ll also notice how different these lists are from one another. A lot of things have changed in the past three years—especially when it comes to the progression and creation of new startup resources in the Kansas City area.

All of the following resources have been created to help entrepreneurs launch successful startups and businesses. So if you’re a serious KC entrepreneur looking for some small business help, check out one (or all) of these resources to determine which one is right for you (don’t feel like reading? Listen to our podcast episode instead!):

LISTEN NOW:

042 Think Big Radio: Top 11 Startup Resources in Kansas City (2013)

1. The Kauffman Foundation

www.kauffman.org

Back in 2010, The Kauffman Foundation was one of our top picks as a KC startup resource—and the organization has remained on top to this day. The well-known and successful track record of the Kauffman Foundation is famous throughout the world. The organization provides education and training (i.e. the FastTrac program) for entrepreneurs. In addition, Kauffman promotes entrepreneurship-friendly policies to better facilitate the commercialization of new technologies. In recent years, the Kauffman Foundation has boosted its involvement in startups even further by sponsoring Startup Weekend as well as 1 Million Cups.

2. Kansas and Missouri Universities and Colleges

Three years ago, we also made sure to add various Kansas and Missouri universities and colleges into our list of KC startup resources. Today, we continue to add them to the top of our list because of their growing number of diverse programs for entrepreneurs and startups. Below are just a few of the schools that provide strong entrepreneurship programs:

Kansas City Kansas Community College, Entrepreneurship Program
Johnson County Community College, Entrepreneurship Program
University of Missouri Entrepreneurship Alliance
KU Entrepreneurship Program
UMKC Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
William Jewell Entrepreneurship Program (recently received $500K from Kauffman to support the program)

3. Think Big Partners

www.thinkbigpartners.com

We don’t mean to toot our own horns (or do we?) but Think Big Partners has seen exponential growth throughout the past 3 years not just in Kansas City, but across the nation. Think Big Partners has gone from being known as a “business incubator/startup accelerator” to more of an “idea factory”—providing essential tools for local and nationwide startups. With services and resources such as the Think Big Coworking (the company’s coworking space), entrepreneur-focused events (i.e. Hackovate Health, The Gigabit Challenge and iKC 2012 and 2013—coming soon), the Think Big Accelerator program, Think Big Ventures and many other initiatives, Think Big is continuing to build Kansas City into a hub for startups, tech and innovation.

4. Kansas City Coworking Spaces

Entrepreneurs can collaborate, mentor one another and meet other area-entrepreneurs at any of Kansas City’s many coworking spaces. It seems as if coworking spaces are popping up all over town—and for good reason. Kansas City needs a place for the growing number of entrepreneurs to go. Some of these Kansas City coworking spaces include:

5. Startup Village

www.kcstartupvillage.org

Perhaps Kansas City’s newest “startup resource” is Startup Village, an entrepreneur-led, organic, grassroots initiative helping to bolster the Kansas City entrepreneur and startup community. The mission of Startup Village is to create a concentrated and collaborative area of startup centered around the Google Fiber “fiberhoods”. Currently, KC startups such as Leap2, FormZapper, Pipeline, CaddyX, EyeVerify, Handprint, SquareOffs and many others office in Startup Village.

Homes For Hackers is another startup that currently “offices” in Startup Village (and could be considered an entrepreneur resource in itself!). Homes for Hackers provides 3 months of rent-free, Google Fiber-connected startup space to area entrepreneurs.

6. Civic Leadership

There are many civic organizations and non-profits supported by the City of KCMO to help entrepreneurs. Some of these organizations include:

The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDC): Collaborates with the City of KCMO and other organizations to project a local identity and ensure a competitive, vibrant and self-sustaining economy.
The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce gives entrepreneurs the voice and resources they need to operate successful businesses within the region. For small business owners in particular, the Chamber provides research and forecasts, networking events, global trade resources and leadership opportunities.
Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC): A private, non-profit organization that represents the economic interests in the 18-county region of Kansas City. Under the KCADC umbrella is KCNext, the Technology Council of Greater Kansas City, which focuses on growing the existing base of technology firms, recruiting and attracting technology companies and aggregating and promoting regional IT assets.
KCBizCare: KCBizCare is the City of Kansas City’s business customer service center. KCBizCare provides entrepreneurs with information and assistance in understanding and complying with city, state and federal requirements of operating a business. The entrepreneur-focused part of KCBizCare is LaunchKC, a strategic initiative designed to attract and develop IT entrepreneurs and professionals to the thriving information technology community throughout Kansas City.

7. Ennovation Center

www.ennovationcenter.com

In our previous list, the Ennovation Center rounded out at #10. But we hear more and more about the Ennovation Center every single day. Located in Independence, Missouri, Ennovation Center focuses on three core areas for the development of new business: bio-tech, kitchen and business & technology. Ennovation Center provides professional facilities, administrative services, business & financing assistance as well as a vast list of resources. We recommend the Ennovation Center for any food entrepreneurs out there!

8. KCSourceLink

www.kcsourcelink.com

If you’re a budding entrepreneur, be sure to visit KCSourceLink before you get started. This online (and offline) resource’s mission is to help small businesses in the 18-county Kansas City region grow and succeed. With 170+ nonprofit resource organizations that provide business-building services, KCSourceLink truly facilitates the linking of resource organizations to one another and to established, emerging and startup small businesses throughout the region.

9. The Enterprise Center of Johnson County

www.ecjc.com

The Enterprise Center of Johnson County (also known as ECJC) has the goal of stimulating business creation and employment in the region by providing resources and services to early-stage, high-return, high-growth companies. Currently, ECJC boasts 31 current client and affiliate companies and has helped to create 904 new jobs in the KC metro area.

10. OneKC for Women

www.onekcforwomen.com

Kansas City boasts some very powerful women-focused entrepreneurial resources such as OneKC for Women (made up of the Women’s Business Center, the Women’s Employment Network and Women’s Capital Connection). OneKC is made up of powerful advocates for women and are committed to assisting women on their quest for personal, professional and financial self-sufficiency.

11. Silicon Prairie News

www.siliconprairienews.com

Perhaps you’re not ready to make the entrepreneurial dive—but you do want to read up on area startup news and attend entrepreneurial events to dip your toe in. That’s exactly where Silicon Prairie News comes into play. This online resource provides the top news stories for what’s going on in entrepreneurship in the “Silicon Prairie” region (primarily Kansas City, Omaha and Des Moines). Read up on startup news and attend any Silicon Prairie event to learn more about what KC-area entrepreneurs are up to.

We would like to thank all of the above Kansas City resources for Thinking Big and providing help for all of our entrepreneurs. Here’s to three more years of success in Kansas City!

* Think Big Partners created this list to the best of our knowledge. If you think a Kansas City startup resource is missing on this list, please add your thoughts to the comments section below.

Interested in Think Big Partners? Join Us for a Tour

2013-05-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

What does Think Big Partners do? Can I join your coworking space? How I can I work with Think Big Partners? What services do you provide? This is just a taste of the questions we get on a day-to-day basis. We want you to come by Think Big so we can answer these questions—and many others—and help you find the best way to work with us!

The best way to get in touch with the Think Big team is by joining us on one of our tours. Tours take place about every other Friday from 12:45-1:30pm (get there right at 12:45 or we will start without you!). Reservations are open now through the end of August:

May 3
May 17
May 31
June 14
June 28
July 12
July 26
August 9
August 23

Join us if you’re interested in coworking, office space, meeting space, and learning how Think Big Partners can help you and your business.

Reserve your spot today!

Why Do We Need Mompreneurs?

2013-05-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

In honor of Mother’s Day (don’t forget—it’s on Sunday, May 12!) we would like to honor all of the diaper-changing, meeting-holding, snot-wiping, money-making, up-all-night moms out there who aren’t just great parents, but are great entrepreneurs as well. The term “mompreneur” (mom + entrepreneur) is here to stay—and we should be thankful.

According to an article in Inc. magazine back in January, mompreneurs represent a very talented and motivated workforce. They represent buying power and they know how buying decisions are made. Plus, many of them have MBAs or great professional experience, plus something that many other entrepreneurs lack—patience.

But there’s more to mompreneurs that meets the eye (believe it or not). In fact, mompreneurs differ from regular entrepreneurs in a number of different ways. For instance:

Mompreneurs prefer to work from home so they can run the business and be with their kids at the same time
Mompreneurs are willing to forgo large salaries in order to grow a part of the business that makes the most sense for them
Mompreneurs have a lot of experience in organization and running businesses (after all—running a household is a lot like running a business...sometimes crazier)
Mompreneurs are the ultimate multi-taskers, when many entrepreneurs may struggle to do more than one thing at the same time
Mompreneurs specialize in “swapping hats”—one moment they will be CEO, the next they will be janitor

A mompreneur’s most important role in the startup world is perhaps inspiration. We look up to mompreneurs the way we look at Wonder Woman—how does she do it all in one day? How does she juggle everything? How does she wear so many hats? How is she not exhausted? Those are questions that only mompreneurs can answer. But if she can do it, maybe you can too.

We have recognized many amazing women and mompreneurs in some of our past blogs and articles and this Mother’s Day we thought it best to revisit a few of them. Go ahead—take a read at some of our favorites and then don’t forget to run to the grocery store and grab Mom a bouquet of flowers (you know we wouldn’t let you forget)!

Sept. 2010: How Silpada Designs Became a Sterling Company
Sept. 2010: Recognizing & Celebrating Today’s Hard Working Business Women
Aug. 2011: The Rise of the Mompreneur
Sept. 2011: Mompreneurs Unite at the Treasure You Girlfriend’s Retreat
Nov. 2012: Kansas City Mompreneur Changes The Way We Say “Thank You”
April 2013: An Entrepreneur Chat with Kelly Pruneau, Women’s Capital Connection

Think Big Coworking Member Dwolla Raises $16.5 Million

2013-05-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

Ben Milne, Founder of Dwolla.

It’s one thing for a startup company to successfully launch in the Midwest. But it’s a whole different story when a Midwestern company gets $16.5 million in funding. But Des Moines-based startup Dwolla was recently given that exact amount from Andreessen Horowitz, Village Ventures, Thrive Capital and Union Square Ventures.

For those who haven’t heard of Dwolla, the startup is a payment network that allows anyone to send, request and accept money (many people think of PayPal when they hear this description). But Dwolla is built on its own network that securely connects to your bank account and allows you to move money for just $.25 per transaction or free for transactions of $10 or less.

It wasn’t too long ago that Think Big sat down with founder Ben Milne to discuss where Dwolla was headed. At the time (December 2011), Ben stated that Dwolla was still in its infancy even though it was moving between $30 and $50 million every month. But he was right. The company has grown at 15% month-over-month and reached a quarter-million account holders up from 80,000 in early 2012. And the company has only seemed to grow more as time goes on.

At the time of the interview, Dwolla had a miraculous 700+ investors interested in funding it. And now, it seems as if four of those investors, including Adreessen Horowitz, finally committed the dollars. Dwolla scored $16.5 million in new funding in a Series C just last week.

So Dwolla will continue to expand. It wasn’t long ago that two of Dwolla’s developers moved into Think Big Coworking in order to expand to the Kansas City market. We are so proud of the KC team—Brandon Ratzlaff and Nick Christus—and wish all the best for the entire Dwolla team—from Des Moines to Kansas City to its new expansion in San Francisco.

Learn more about Dwolla at www.dwolla.com.

What Are The Think Big Accelerator Companies Up To?

2013-05-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Things move fast here at Think Big Partners. From the collaborations in our coworking space to our entrepreneur events, everything seems to be created very quickly. And for are accelerator companies, the TBP experience is no different.

Each of our accelerator companies have been making big waves in their own respective fields. With so many things going on, it’s hard to keep up with all the accomplishments these entrepreneurs and their fantastic startups are doing.

We’ve compiled a highlight reel of sorts of what the Think Big Partners Accelerator companies are up to. Take a look:

Keyzio

Founder Parker Hills and the rest of the Keyzio team are happy to announce they have had their first successful user sale using the Keyzio platform. Keyzio will also be launching its website that mirrors the same full functionality available on the iPhone app. This new addition will no doubt increase the already growing user base of Keyzio. Stay abreast on what this great startup is up to by Liking Keyzio on Facebook or following them @KeyzioInc.

TheHub.fm

Head honcho of TheHub.fm Jonathan Block has racked up some miles since March. After joining 50 other entrepreneurs from Missouri bound for SXSW, via bus, for the SXSW Interactive and Music Festivals. TheHub.fm generated a ton of great press most notably, Digital Trends’ list of best apps at SXSW 2013. Following a whirlwind trip in Austin with a brief pit stop in NYC to see The Allman Brothers front row center (being a veteran in the music business has it’s perks), it was on to Toronto, Canada for Canadian Music Week. While there, Jonathan was a featured on a panel for Mobile and Social Media Strategies. After CMW, it was back to NYC for 2 weeks for meetings and networking. All of Jonathan’s hard work is geared toward TheHub.fm’s launch which is poised for summer 2013.

Phone2Action

At SXSW, Phone2Action competed in the SXSW Interactive Accelerator. After a great pitch by founder Jeb Ory, Phone2Action bested the other seven participants earning a big SXSW win and $4,000. Part of Phone2Action’s victory can also be attributed to its praise from Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Mark Warner (D-VA), who embraced the platform for support of their Startup Act 3.0 legislation. Since gaining momentum at SXSW, Jeb and the rest of the Phone2Action team has been on a roll and recently just returned from CES on the Hill where they were alongside fellow exhibitors Microsoft, Google and others.

Fully

Currently spreading its mantra to “Keep Calm and Power On”, founder Bryan Richard has been traveling all over the nation working on getting Fully’s charging stations into places where people need it most. One of those places in need is AT&T Park, home of the World Series Champion, the San Francisco Giants. It’s only a matter of time until the rest of the country will be Fully charged.

We here at Think Big Partners are excited about what all of our accelerator companies have accomplished. We can’t wait to see what the summer has in store for these driven entrepreneurs and their startups.

Stay up to date with all of our startups and the rest of the Think Big team by following us @ThinkBigKC.

Google Glass Documentary Tech Trek will be Presented by Hallmark and Sprint

2013-05-01T09:39:00.000-05:00

Two of Kansas City’s largest local companies, Hallmark Cards and Sprint, have teamed up with a group of area entrepreneurs to tell the story of America’s most innovative technology companies on a cross-country road trip using Google Glass.

Google Glass is a head-mounted display unit that connects with the user’s mobile phone to allow for seamless communication over the web. Glass also has a video camera that allows for pictures and video to be streamed over the web. Only 8,000 individuals worldwide were selected to test the Google Glass hardware in the Glass Explorers program. One of these Explorers is Chris Shaw, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Think Big Partners and organizer of Tech Trek.

Tech Trek is a Google Glass-enabled interactive documentary that will tell the story of innovative, early-stage technology companies being built in some of America’s most successful startup hubs.

Chris Shaw, a serial entrepreneur who founded LexSpot and has advised over a dozen technology startups, said he wanted to use Glass to give back to the community that enabled his success.

"Glass is a truly innovative way to tell stories and share experiences," says Shaw. "While I intend to use for Glass for developing mobile applications in the healthcare space, my colleagues and I wanted to test the media capabilities of Glass in a unique way."

Two former Kansas City startup successes Hallmark and Sprint were happy to support Kansas City entrepreneur, Google Glass Explorer and head of the Tech Trek project, Chris Shaw, and help him tell this story.

“As a Kansas City native, I am thrilled to work with Hallmark and Sprint to tell this story. The idea that the area companies I grew up admiring reached out and funded us on Kickstarter is a testament to how amazing the business community in Kansas City is,” said Shaw.

Hallmark
Hallmark’s roots as a Kansas City startup go back to 1910, when J.C. Hall arrived in Kansas City with two shoeboxes of postcards under his arm and the American dream in his heart. He had a passion for quality and was driven by a simple belief that first-class products meeting a genuine need would bring business success.

Hall’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion took him from a one-person startup to a 12,000+ strong company that has generated billions of smiles worldwide.

“Hallmark is constantly seeking ways to collaborate with the world’s best innovators,” said Rob Bensman, Hallmark vice president of strategic alliances. “We’re looking forward to traveling with Tech Trek and interacting with promising startups across the country.”

“Hallmark also is interested in learning how technology impacts the ways in which people connect with one another,” Bensman continued. “Tech Trek provides a unique opportunity for us to observe firsthand how Google Glass will influence communication in the future.”

Sprint
Sprint’s entrepreneurial roots date back more than 100 years as well. Sprint’s founder, Cleyson Brown, successfully took on the Bell monopoly in 1899 from Abilene, Kansas by challenging the status quo through innovation and a commitment to community the Midwest is known for. Since then, Sprint has been developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies across wireline and wireless industries. Sprint recognizes an obvious benefit working closely with startups and entrepreneurs. Much like Cleyson Brown, high-growth entrepreneurs have a unique perspective on technology innovation, move quickly and have little fear of failure.

“At Sprint we believe that helping to nurture the ideas of entrepreneurs and technologists and being present in the creation of new businesses and services is critical to the evolution of our culture and business,” said Kevin McGinnis, vice president of product platforms and services at Sprint. “We are excited to be participating in the Tech Trek Kickstarter campaign and look forward to seeing what it brings.”

To learn more about Tech Trek, visit www.techtrek.co.
Follow Tech Trek! @TheTechTrek

Entrepreneur Corner is Back During First Fridays!

2013-04-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

** Editors Note: Entrepreneur Corner on May 3, 2013 has officially been CANCELLED due to weather. Please stay posted on our blog and Twitter page for more information regarding the next Entrepreneur Corner event. Thank you for your cooperation!

Entrepreneur Corner is Back!

First Friday – May 3, 2013

5:30-8:30 pm

Think Big Partners: 1800 Baltimore Ave. Kansas City, MO (Parking lot)

Support artists, entrepreneurs and local restaurants! Start your First Fridays walk at Entrepreneur Corner.

Come see what the companies from the Think Big Accelerator program have been up to and learn how you can support local Kansas City startups! Have a drink on us and network with KC entrepreneurs and the Think Big team during First Fridays.

FEATURING:

Stay up to date with more Entrepreneur Corner events as well as any changes or cancellations due to weather on our Facebook group.

*Download the First Friday by the Pitch app (powered by Intev) to stay up to date with activities going on during First Fridays!

Interested in showcasing at a future Entrepreneur Corner? Contact us!

041 Think Big Radio: Top 10 Spring Cleaning Tips for Entrepreneurs

2013-04-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

April showers bring May flowers. But what else do April showers bring? Spring cleaning! Although most of us dread spring cleaning every year, it’s a necessity in order for us to push our businesses and startups forward. What are the best tips that entrepreneurs can use when spring cleaning?

LISTEN NOW [Dust later?]:

041 Think Big Radio: Top 10 Spring Cleaning Tips for Entrepreneurs

In this episode of Think Big Radio, Derek and Allison explore the best things they do (or don’t do but wish they did) during spring cleaning such as:

Organize digital documents
Reset passwords
Sort through emails
Update contact list
Update website content
Update portfolio or case studies
Get finances in line
Re-energize the team
Clean out your desk (literally)
Clear your mind

Follow Derek: @DerekCOlsen

Follow Allison: @AllisonThinkBig

The Technology Entrepreneur Speakers Program is Back in KC!

2013-04-22T12:13:00.002-05:00

The Technology Entrepreneur Speakers Program (or Tech ESP for short) presented by the Missouri Small Business and Technology Center is back! This program aims to provide helpful information and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, startups and businesses at all stages. So whether you are a brand new startup or a seasoned pro, this program has something for you.

The events speaker this time around is Ben Legg. According to the event website,

Ben Legg is the CEO of Adknowledge and an unabashed Big Data evangelist.
Ben came to Adknowledge in October of 2011 from European Directories, where he was COO. He previously held the same position at Google Europe.
Prior to his leadership in the private sector, Ben spent ten years as an officer in the British Army’s Royal Engineers, leading missions in places like Northern Ireland and Bosnia. He subsequently worked for McKinsey & Co. and Coca-Cola as the VP of sales in India.
Ben is passionate about the intersection of marketing and social media; his company’s AdParlor platform is a global leader in managing Facebook advertising campaigns. In fact, it’s one of only 12 companies Facebook has designated as a Strategic Preferred Marketing Developer (sPMD).

The event will be hosted at:

Polsinelli Shugart PC

700 West 47th Street Kansas City, MO

Tuesday, April 23 @ 5:30PM

Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. Free parking is available and beverages will be provided. For more information, see the event website. As in the past, this is an excellent opportunity to grow your network, learn useful tools for your business, and have fun – we hope to see you there!

Entrepreneurs Converge and Create in 7th Annual Kansas City Startup Weekend

2013-04-17T10:36:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was the 7^th annual Kansas City Startup Weekend and what a whirlwind it was! For those unfamiliar with the event, it is one of many global Startup Weekend events aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and creating viable, ready-to-launch companies…all within a 48 hour timeframe! Here’s the basic framework:

- Speakers, mentors and entrepreneurs converge in a shared space

- The entrepreneurs pitch their ideas

- The best ideas organically arise via popular consensus

- Teams are formed around the ideas

- The next two days are a mad frenzy to create the next big thing!

According the Startup Weekend site, the 11 teams created this year were:

Gitalytics: Github Analytics
Pluginy: Specializes in dynamic content optimization and helping non-technical and IT professionals make changes to website content as efficiently as possible.
Antler Atlas: The first website that allows hunters to upload pictures of their big game trophies and tag them geographically, without giving up the location of their honey-hole!
Aqualife: Pairs your water bottle to your iPhone to ensure you don't get dehydrated.
Shopily: Simplifies the retail experience for consumers and provides rich insight into behavior for marketers.
LittleHootz: The digital scrapbooking app that makes it easy to create, archive and share all the unexpected and hilarious things your kids do and say.
Mingle: A digital networking application that makes making the connections you need fast, easy and efficient.
Open Gardens: Open Gardens connects growers and communities to nurture collaboration and promote sustainable living.
All Dogs: Dog breed matching web and mobile app.
Code Your Own: Website to build your own customized code learning experience.
Vidspective: The First-Person Video Marketplace.

Of the 11 teams that participated, the overall winner was LittleHootz. The idea, created and pitched by team leader Lacey Ellis, struck a chord in its potential uses for parents, teachers and other scrapbooking enthusiasts.

Second place went to Aqualife (whose website was down at the time of writing), an app that monitors how much water you’re drinking by syncing with your water bottle. Third place went to Vidspective, an application which will monetize behind-the-scene access.

Code Your Own was awarded crowd favorite, it also striking a chord with its ability to empower novice and professional coders alike by providing a clean, easy-to-use platform that only utilizes what you need.

We celebrate the speed, drive and passion of these entrepreneurs. They are adding to the growing startup economy, and we look forward to seeing what they will do with their newfound notoriety.

Interns, We Want You!

2013-04-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Spring doesn't just mean Royals baseball games, outdoor barbecues and open patios. It also means that the school year is coming to a close. And for many college students, it also means finding an internship that doesn't make you want to rip your hair out.

Here at Think Big, we understand that 1.) finding an internship isn't easy and that 2.) the internships that you do land will bore you to death.

We're not about boring internships. So explore some opportunities that Think Big has to offer and make this summer worthwhile. We are currently looking to fill our roster with dynamite interns who specialize in the following areas:

Technical writing interns
Research intern
Developer intern
Graphic design intern
Social media intern

Interested? Check out our Jobs Page and apply (the Jobs Page will be updated shortly). In the meantime, feel free to email your name, resume, cover letter and position you are interested in to Summer at summer.mulford@thinkbigpartners.com.

Want to learn more? We will be holding a large intern question-and-answer session on April 26 and May 10 at our offices at 1800 Baltimore in Kansas City, MO. For more information about these sessions, contact Summer at summer.mulford@thinkbigpartners.com.

Want to learn about some of our previous interns? Check out these links:

Shelby Livingston, Copywriter Intern
Sara Heins, Copywriter Intern
Mariah Rittel, Social Media Intern
Colleen Rowley, Social Media Intern
Bobby Miller Jr., Copywriter and Podcast Intern
Turner Haden, Copywriter Intern
Alex Gamble, Copywriter Intern
Emily Leeper, Events Intern

Want to get involved with Think Big in a different way? Become a part of our Street Team or our User Test Group! To get involved in either of these opportunities, contact Summer at summer.mulford@thinkbigpartners.com.

Phone2Action Joins Microsoft, Google, AT&T, BlackBerry and Others for CES on the Hill

2013-04-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

What does KC startup Phone2Action have in common with Microsoft, Google, AT&T and BlackBerry? These companies, and many others, are being spotlighted at the nation's capital today as a part of CES on the Hill (produced by the Consumer Electronics Association).

An invitation-only event, CES on the Hill brings together members of Congress, key Hill staff and top media to see first-hand the influence new technologies have in driving some of the most critical, current technology policy debates including intellectual property and conumers' fair use rights, privacy, secure access to health care services, wireless spectrum allocation, e-cycling and safe driving.

New for this year, CES on the Hill includes a dedicated Eureka Park showcase for some of the hottest startups and entrepreneurs in the nation. Phone2Action, a Think Big Accelerator company, will be spotlighted among other startups such as Aereo, AWARE Technologies, FutureDash, Dock-n-Lock, SubPac and Troop ID.

In addition to startups, CES on the Hill will feature companies that address the most pressing tech policy issues. These companies include AT&T, BlackBerry, DIRECTV, DISH, Google, Intel Corp, LG, Microsoft, Panasonic, Pandora, Samsung, Verizon and others.

A big congratulations to Phone2Action for being selected to showcase at CES on the Hill today! We are rooting for you here in Kansas City.

Learn more about Phone2Action: @Phone2Action

040 Think Big Radio: An Entrepreneur Chat with Kelly Pruneau, Women’s Capital Connection

2013-04-15T13:14:00.000-05:00

In the investment field, women don’t have quite as big of a presence as men do. In fact, only 10-15% of angel investors and venture capitalists are women. But Women’s Capital Connection (WCC) based in Kansas City, Missouri is looking to change that statistic. In this episode of Think Big Radio, Derek sits down with Kelly Pruneau, network manager of the Women’s Capital Connection to learn exactly what the WCC does, how it is changing the investment industry, and just how important women investors are in the Kansas City area.

LISTEN NOW!

040 Think Big Radio: An Entrepreneur Chat with Kelly Pruneau, Women's Capital Connection

In this podcast, Derek asks Kelly questions such as:

How did you get involved in Women’s Capital Connection?
What types of companies or industries does WCC invest in?
What are some of the companies you currently invest in?
Why is there a need for something like Women’s Capital Connection in Kansas and Missouri?
Does Kansas City have enough investment recourses? Why? Why not?
How does WCC solve the “lack of capital” problem?
Why are there more men angel investors than women?
What is Women’s Capital Connection doing to increase the number of women angel investors?
Why do women make great angel investors and venture capitalists?
How do you Think Big?

Listen to other podcast episodes! Check out Think Big on iTunes.

Kansas City-based CaddyX Ships Golf Clubs to Your Next Course

2013-04-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

If you’re anything like us, we could not be happier that spring is finally here (although in Kansas City that may not mean much since it can be 70 degrees one day and 40 the next). Nonetheless, we cannot wait to be outside—from watching Royals games at the K to sipping beers on a Plaza patio to hitting balls at the local golf course.

But sometimes, golfing in Kansas City is a challenge. After booking your tee-time and finally getting to the course, it may be 35 degrees and snowing. Or raining. Or hailing. One solution to this problem is to book a tee-time somewhere warm with consistent good weather like Arizona or Las Vegas.

But then that raises a different array of issues and nuisances. In addition to booking a flight there is packing. Then you have to lug your precious clubs to the airport and check them at baggage claim and hope that they don’t arrive as metal pretzels (if they even arrive at your destination at all).

But thanks to local Kansas City startup CaddyX, your precious golf clubs will arrive at your destination on time without a scratch. Co-founded by KC’s Chris Hanway and Jason Gregory , CaddyX provides the touch-free transport of golf bags for America's elite country clubs allowing your golf pro or fanatic to experience “The Ultimate Lug-Free Xperience”.

CaddyX’s goal is to give your golf bag a safe way to travel and arrive on time and in the same condition as when you checked them. The service is quite simple and efficient. It works by utilizing connections between country club golf pros. To use their service, simply go to your local pro shop, leave your bag with your pro, tell them you’d like to CaddyX your bag as well as when and where you’ll be playing. After that, CaddyX takes care of the rest. You can rest assured knowing that your bag will arrive safely with their $5,000 peace-of-mind guarantee.

If you haven’t heard about CaddyX yet, it’s about time you did. The KC startup launched in 2010 and has been growing ever since, expanding to elite courses at country clubs all across America. Like many other Kansas City-based startups, CaddyX fills a market that has been neglected for quite some time. We at Think Big Partners can’t wait to see what’s in store for CaddyX and can’t wait to CaddyX our golf bags soon (Vegas, anyone?).

Think Big Partners Launches Kickstarter Campaign to Fund Google Glass Documentary, Tech Trek

2013-04-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, we announced that our Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Chris Shaw, was one of the 8,000 people in the world to be selected to beta test the new Google Glass hardware. We also revealed that he plans to use Glass to explore how wearable technology can impact health as well as use it to document life experiences and travels.

But Chris is looking to do much more than that. He wants to use Glass to give back to the entrepreneurial community as well.

“Glass is a truly innovative way to tell stories and share experiences,” says Shaw. “While our primary use for Glass will be for developing mobile applications in spaces like healthcare and enterprise, we wanted to test the media capabilities of Glass in a unique way.”

As a result of this thought, Think Big Partners co-founder Herb Sih encouraged Chris to create Tech Trek, a Glass-enabled documentary that explores the different startup hubs, technologies and innovations throughout the country.

“When Chris said he wanted to give folks a birds-eye view into what it’s like to be an entrepreneur, we were enthusiastic to support Tech Trek,” says Sih. “Think Big has started dozens of companies either directly or indirectly and we feel like we have an obligation to give back to the community.”

Tech Trek is using Kickstarter to raise funds for the ambitious project to tell the story of technology entrepreneurship in the tech hubs of Silicon Valley, Ca., Los Angeles, Ca., Las Vegas, Nv., Boulder, Co., and Kansas City, Mo.

In addition, Shaw explains that some of the funds from the Kickstarter campaign will be used to sponsor entrepreneurs to attend Tech Trek who cannot afford to visit the cities and companies that Tech Trek will feature at incubators like Y Combinator, 500 Startups, Science and TechStars.

“Our goal with Tech Trek is to show people what we do and how technology and entrepreneurship are building the future of our world,” says Shaw.

Spencer Walsh is an independent film producer, director and owner of Piscator Media who will be filming and producing Tech Trek.

"Google Glass provides a very unique opportunity for documentary work. I'm already excited to capture the effect this new technology has on the people interacting with it physically and virtually,” explains Walsh. “Also, most of my productions are for startups so I know how creative entrepreneurs are. In my opinion, the possibilities of Glass will really begin to reveal themselves as Chris interacts with these established and growing communities. This might be selfish, but I feel like I'll be getting a glimpse into the near future."

To learn more about Tech Trek, please visit www.techtrek.co. To become a part of the Tech Trek Kickstarter campaign, please visit http://kck.st/10OBm3R.

And be sure to follow Chris on his Tech Trek journey with Glass: @MOChrisShaw

Think Big's Chris Shaw Joins Glass Explorers Program

2013-04-11T13:39:00.000-05:00

Chris Shaw of Think Big Partners.

What began as a simple tweet has transformed into an incredible opportunity for Think Big Partners' Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Chris Shaw. After answering @projectglass's Twitter prompt #IfIHadGlass, Chris was asked by Google to be one of the 8,000 people throughout the world to "test" the Glass computer hardware. Chris immediately accepted and is now a part of the Glass Explorers program.

Google Glass is a head-mounted display unit that connects with a user’s mobile phone to allow for seamless communication over the web. Glass also has a video camera that allows for pictures and video to be streamed over the web. Chris and the Glass Explorers will utilize the new wearable computer hardware this year as beta testers.

So what does Chris plan to do with Glass? First of all, lets take a look at the tweet that Chris sent on March 27 to answer #IfIHadGlass:

According to a recent article on Forbes, Chris plans to use Glass in a personal way.

“I’m both an entrepreneur and a new dad,” said Shaw. “As an entrepreneur, I give talks all over the world and I’m on the road a lot. So I want to be able to share those travel experiences with my daughter even when she’s at home.”

But additionally, Chris would like to explore how Glass can monitor health (like other wearable health hardware out there such as FitBit and Nike Fuel Band).

But these aren't the only two plans Chris has concocted as a Glass Explorer. As a matter of fact, Chris will be making an announcement within the next 24 hours about exactly how he and the Think Big team will utilize Glass for the good of the startup community. Stay tuned on our blog to learn more.

Follow Chris's Glass experience: @MOChrisShaw

Kansas City Gears Up for the Second Annual Middle of the Map Fest

2013-04-10T16:08:00.001-05:00

We could not be more thrilled that spring weather is making an appearance in Kansas City—the patios are open, the Royals are back in season and perhaps most importantly, the startup scene is gearing up for some major entrepreneurial events. And that includes the second annual Middle of the Map Fest.

Kansas City’s Middle of the Map Fest, presented by Ink Magazine and The Record Machine, is a rock festival to promote the city’s culture. The festival is much more than just music, though. For the second year, Middle of the Map Fest will incorporate a Forum meant just for KC business leaders and entrepreneurs as well as a Film portion for movie/film buffs.

With more than 100 bands having played at four venues from April 4-6, the Middle of the Map Fest Music portion has already gotten off to a great start. However, the event is far from over. Middle of the Map culminates with its first Film Fest May 1-5, showing more than 15 films.

Sandwiched in between is the Forum from April 17-19. Some of the most prominent figures in the Kansas City business community will be presenting as speakers and in panels. The Middle of the Map Fest Forum is a great opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to hear stories and advice from other Kansas City businessmen who have found success in their industries.

Thursday’s speakers include:

· John McDonald, Founder and President of Boulevard Brewing Company

· Adam Jones, historic preservation architectural designer and developer

· Stephen F. Kingsmore, Director of the Children’s Mercy Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine

Friday’s speakers include:

· Sandy Kemper, Founder and Chairman of the Board of both Pollenware and The Collector’s Fund

· Robb Heineman, Chief Executive Officer of Sporting Club

Also included in the Middle of the Map Fest Forum are the eleven panels over topics important to entrepreneurs. Topics and times can be found here.

The Middle of the Map Fest Forum takes place April 17-19 at both OfficePort and StagePort. At the end of each day, there will be after-parties hosted by Missouri Bank and Barkley. Tickets for the Middle of the Map Fest Forum are $50 and can be purchased through The Record Machine’s website. We hope to see you there!

Thank You, Kansas City! Think Big Named Top 4 Brand in KC

2013-04-09T10:05:00.001-05:00

Although we are no longer competing in KCSourceLink's Battle of the Brands (we got beat out by one of our favorite Kansas City companies, The Roasterie), we have to say, it's been quite an exciting run.

We were nominated to participate in the Battle of the Brands back in 2012 as well...and let's just say, we weren't nearly as successful. Back in 2012, we were beat out in the very first round by Rainy Day Books. We were sad, but it certainly didn't cramp our startup style.

This year was different. We are extremely proud to say that we claimed the title of most recognized brand in the Innovation-led category by squeaking by other innovative companies such as OverKC, MySmartPlans, Barkley and Integral Computer. We were absolutely thrilled to make it to the Fighting Four...and we have you, our fans and brand advocates, to thank.

We cannot thank you enough for your support and votes. It's because of you that Think Big Partners can continue to grow and strengthen the Kansas City entrepreneurial community! So thank you, Kansas City, for naming us one of the top 4 brands in the metro area, and for the past three years of support.

Follow us: @thinkbigKC

Think Big Innovations Live at Great Minds Think Big

2013-04-04T14:30:00.000-05:00

In Case You Missed It: Great Minds Think Big Photo Recap

2013-04-04T14:27:00.001-05:00

On Wednesday, Think Big Partners hosted the first event in the Great Minds Think Big series. The fireside chat-style event series is an intimate, inside-look into some of the greatest entrepreneurial minds from the biggest companies both here in Kansas City and across the country. At Great Minds Think Big, two innovative thought leaders with completely different backgrounds will come together to challenge one another’s thought processes and provide insight, inspiration and encouragement to entrepreneurs and startups.

The first Great Minds Think Big event spotlighted Danny O'Neill of The Roasterie and Scott Tibbitts, aerospace entrepreneur. The evening was filled with insight, inspiration and words of wisdom from both entrepreneurs including topics such as:

The challenges and fears of starting a company
Moments when they thought too big, too fast
Why not everyone should be an entrepreneur
The importance of unique ability
Their entrepreneurial bucket lists

After discussion with moderator Herb Sih, the floor opened for the audience to ask questions. Following the Q&A, appetizers and beverages were served with an hour of power networking.

Check out some of the highlights of the first Great Minds Think Big event in the photos below:

Moderator Herb Sih starts the GMTB discussion with Danny and Scott.

Over 50 entrepreneurs made it out to KC's most intimate startup event.

Outpost Media captures the GMTB event.

GMTB concluded with networking and appetizers.

Power networking after the fireside discussion.

A big thanks to everyone who made GMTB a success--Blue Pot catering, The Roasterie, Scott Tibbitts, Danny O'Neill, our organizers and all of those who made it out to the event!

Miss out on KC's most intimate entrepreneur event? Don't worry! Details about another Great Minds Think Big event will be out soon. Stay tuned.

Follow Great Minds Think Big by searching #GMTB.

Boys Grow: Growing Entrepreneurs in Kansas City

2013-04-04T10:13:00.000-05:00

It’s true—entrepreneurship is growing in Kansas City every day. But one organization is taking that statement literally. Boys Grow, a two-year agricultural entrepreneurship program, empowers inner-city boys to learn entrepreneurship through hands-on experience.

The boys involved in Boys Grow spend time on a farm planting crops, tending the land, building chicken coops, harvesting honey from bee boxes and other daily farm tasks. When they’re not working on the farm, they’re out selling what they make with the produce they grow – salsa, agave ketchup, and (coming soon!) barbecue sauce.

John Gordon, creator of the program, recently spoke with The Pitch about Boys Grow. Of the program, he says,

"I wanted to create something that kids really do. It's not fluff. It's not for show. They have to make decisions, and anything they learn, they'll have to apply directly. There is always stuff to be done on a farm. Life slows down, and you have to take a deep breath. There's responsibility and discipline and dedication. That's where this idea for a functional, working type of youth farm started.”

The program has struck a chord with the community, with a slew of restaurants and grocery stores signing up to carry Boys Grow products, and was recently chosen to receive a proclamation by the Missouri House of Representatives.

The unique blend of agriculture, mentoring and entrepreneurship provides a potent mixture for inner-city boys in need of guidance. The ability to form relationships with other budding entrepreneurs while simultaneously learning how to grow a business is extremely empowering for participants in the program. Boys Grow isn’t about hand-holding because the boys genuinely direct the majority of the program and decide how far to take it.

Entrepreneurship in Kansas City takes many forms, and the Boys Grow program is investing in the future of the KC community. Of the future, Gordon says, "In reality, we're trying to farm entrepreneurs as much as plants. We're trying to unleash a whole new crop on the city."

Great Minds Think Big Kicks Off Tomorrow at 4pm

2013-04-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

It all goes down April 3, 2013 from 4-6:30pm.

Spotlighting Danny O'Neill and Scott Tibbitts.

WHAT YOU’RE IN FOR:

Get ready for Kansas City’s most intimate entrepreneur experience yet! Great Minds Think Big will spotlight Danny O’Neill from The Roasterie and aerospace entrepreneur Scott Tibbitts in a fireside chat to discuss philosophies, secrets and inside tricks as entrepreneurs.

COME PREPARED:

Bring plenty of business cards as well as questions for our spotlighted entrepreneurs
Dress code is business casual (but we don’t mind a startup t-shirt now and then either!)
Come thirsty—we will be serving beer, wine and a special coffee cocktail. Appetizers will also be served.
Parking: The 1800 Baltimore building is located on the southwest corner of 18th St. and Baltimore Ave. Weinberger Fine Art is on the 1st floor but please enter from the SOUTH double doors. Free parking is available on the street (2 hour parking is fine) or at the Barkley garage (entrance on 18^th & Main) for $5/day.

GET SOCIAL:

Tweet. Post. Update.

#GMTB -- Great Minds Think Big

@BeanBaron -- Danny O'Neill

@ScottTibbitts -- Scott Tibbitts

Think Big Partners Enters the Fighting Four!

2013-04-01T12:22:00.000-05:00

A huge thanks to all of our Think Big fans and brand advocates! Thanks to you and your votes, we have officially advanced to the Fighting Four in KCSourceLink's Battle of the Brands!

We have already claimed the title of the most recognized innovation-led brand in Kansas City...and now, we're ready to duke it out against The Roasterie to make it to the championship round. Who would have thought that two Kansas City "percolators" would go against each other to claim this title?

We cannot thank you enough for your support and votes. It's because of you that Think Big Partners can continue to grow and strengthen the Kansas City entrepreneurial community.

VOTE HERE.

In Case You Missed It…Recap of Big Kansas City 2013 Entrepreneur Conference

2013-04-01T11:44:00.000-05:00

Yesterday concluded the first ever Big Kansas City conference, held by Silicon Prairie News. Over the course of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, entrepreneurs, investors, startups and creative folks of all kinds gathered in the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport Museum (National Airline History Museum). Discussion topics varied from speaker to speaker, but each brought their own unique blend of humor, insight, wisdom and knowledge.

Wednesday’s speaker schedule started off with Sprint CEO Dan Hesse. During his speech, he highlighted Sprint’s commitment to innovation as well as Kansas City’s growing technology startup community. During his speech, he singled out recent SXSWi Accelerator winner Phone2Action, a member of the Think Big Accelerator program, as evidence of Kansas City startup ingenuity.

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse is excited about Kansas City Startups (photo by Kenny Johnson)

After Dan, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian gave a casual, engaging and intellectually provocative speech about starting Reddit, Internet freedom and the Midwestern entrepreneur boom.

Other highlights from Wednesday included charity:water founder and CEO Scott Harrison, whose riveting images and global insight left many in the audience speechless and reaching for Kleenex; Adam Wilson of Sphero, who explained how their team got President Obama to use their product; Vayable CEO Jamie Wong, who presented an engaging lecture about the most important things to remember as an entrepreneur (#1: Build the world you want to live in.); Dan Martell of clarity.fm, who instead of talking about anything having to do with his business (an interesting decision), gave a lengthy speech about his brother’s entrepreneurial struggles and eventual triumph.

charity:water CEO Scott Harrison's presentation captivated and deeply moved the audience (photo by Kenny Johnson)

A special edition of 1 Million Cups was conducted during lunch, with speeches from the Leap2 search team and the founder of Startup Genome. Both companies focus on search: Leap2 is redefining search to be more interactive, responsive, and answer-driven; Startup Genome is creating a crowdsourced/perpetually evolving startup directory for the entire nation.

Jamie Wong: "Build the world you want to live in" (photo by Kenny Johnson)

The rest of the afternoon was equally engaging, with talks from Dhani Jones of BowTie Cause and Ryan Jones of Proxibid, an extended Q&A panel and a party in the evening.

Some highlights from day two of Big Kansas City include:

· Kauffman Foundation VP of Entrepreneurship Thom Ruhe giving a riveting speech about his interactions and involvement with Sohael Chowdhury, creator of YELL Bangladesh.

· Science Inc. co-founder Mike Macadaan speaking about his passion and companies innovations (plus he gave away cord tacos).

· Code for America Chief of Staff Abhi Nemani gave a potent lecture about civic platforms, the wide-open market for government IT infrastructure (did you know it’s a $140 billion/year industry?), and the coming wave of open-source coding.

· Citizen Made CEO Rachel Brooks, whose speech about the maker movement was inspiring and thought-provoking.

· Graphic.ly CEO Micah Baldwin, whose potently honest and raw insight into the importance of taking care of oneself in the hurricane of entrepreneurialism left the room unsettled in a very good way.

· Yahoo! Mobile Project Manager Bart Stein, whose contrarian tips for entrepreneurs ruffled a few feathers in the audience, shifted thinking for others and proved a great way to end the event.

The event was catered (and when we say catered, we mean catered!): Table after table of artisan sandwiches, salads, breakfast snacks, drinks, Roasterie coffee, juice, afternoon snacks, barbecue, and Boulevard beer at the end of the event. If you didn’t feel like getting up to get any snacks, you needn’t worry: a bag of snacks was taped to the underside of every chair. All the food was delicious and provided a great setting for casual networking and conversation.

Beyond the food, attendees were engaged throughout the conference, interacting with each other and the speakers. It was a very approachable and relaxed environment, which was perfectly conducive to collaboration.

The event was a very slick operation, with livestreaming and a schedule which was honored throughout the day. Silicon Prairie News and the affiliate sponsors obviously put a lot of thought, time, effort and money into Big Kansas City 2013, and it showed in each and every detail (including the live DJ). If this first year is any indication, then Silicon Prairie has a hit on its hands.