May 24, 2011 by Michael Stacy
Lincoln Lincoln-based Firespring was recently named to Inc. magazine’s Top Small Company Workplaces, a list that celebrates 50 of the best small and mid-sized business work environments across the country. The list is compiled annually in conjunction with Winning Workplaces, a nonprofit organization dedicated to small business development. Firespring was chosen for the honor from a pool of more than 350 applicants. A national panel … read more
May 24, 2011 by Geoff Wood
Des Moines Tune in today at 2 p.m. CDT for Episode 39 of PrairieCast. Andy and I will be doing the show this week without a guest. Topics of discussion today will include the Zaarly launch, TechCrunch Disrupt, and more. Also, remember to fill out our quick, three-question survey: svy.mk/prairiecast PrairieCast is a live podcast, recorded weekly, that features round table-style discussion of the top issues in startup culture and technology from across the Silicon Prairie region. Co-hosts Andy Brudtkuhl of 48Web … read more
May 24, 2011 by Geoff Wood
Des Moines Design+Tech, a new meetup group being put together by Amanda Morrow, will meet for the first time on June 1 at BitMethod (418 6th Ave, Suite 1210) in Des Moines. Morrow, an interface designer for the application development shop, sees the tech startup space as a large opportunity that local designers may not be aware of. "I'd been interested in designing … read more
May 23, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Lincoln After two decades spent in Silicon Valley, Bob Hinrichs came home to Lincoln last summer, and he believes the city is ready to foster a flourishing tech scene of its own. "I lived through the 90s in California, and it was glorious," said Hinrichs, who works as the chief technology officer for two coastal companies: ISL Consulting, based in San Francisco, and Clear Metrics, based in New York City. "I'd like to do that again, and this time, this is where it's going to happen. "My companies, and I personally, are extremely interested in increasing our presence and activity in Lincoln. I'm in the process of getting to know people here, and we are looking into ways that we can do that." I visited with Bob in person and via email about his observations of the Silicon Prairie … read more
May 23, 2011 by Royce Haynes
Kansas City Innovation is like hitting a grand slam in baseball. It changes the dynamics of the game, and though the innovator may get the credit for the swing, many players (scientists, engineers, investors, and academics) had to make it possible. KC Hub plans to help arrange a grand slam in Kansas City, engaging academics, innovators, entrepreneurs and others in efforts to cultivate Kansas City as an ecosystem for innovation. KC Hub got its start in 2009 when co-founders Aaron Sloup and Ryan Weber realized that Kansas City didn’t have a strong fabric that connected academia, innovators and businessmen. To form a cohesive community similar to Silicon Vally or North Carolina’s Research Triangle, KC Hub officially formed in the summer of 2010 … read more
May 23, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Omaha Since its inception in 2009, Big Omaha has been held at KANEKO, an "open space for open minds that nurtures and promotes creativity in the arts, sciences, and philosophy." In addition to the permanent and exhibiting art collections housed at KANEKO, Big Omaha invites a select group of artists to add a unique element to its conference with installations or exhibitions geared towards attendees. At this year’s event, Peerless’ Caleb Coppock, Daphne Eck … read more
May 23, 2011 by Michael Stacy
Omaha The man is a Big Omaha institution — insomuch as a person can be considered an institution at an event that's less than half a decade old. Making his third appearance at Big Omaha in three years, Gary Vaynerchuk said the conference is a special one for him. "This event means a lot to me for a lot of reasons," he said at the start of his talk on May 12. "To watch this event grow has been exciting for me, and I really appreciate coming out here." He continued … read more
May 20, 2011 by Guest Contributor
Omaha (Editor's Note: With today's release of the Dear World: Omaha photos, we're also pleased to have the opportunity to share with you a letter from the startup's founder, Robert X. Fogarty.) Dear Silicon Prairie News Readers, Here is a secret that you may know. It's one that others now tell. Omaha is a fly to—not over—place. As a Nebraska native, I’m proud to announce Omaha, as the second Dear World city, and I am honored to kick it all off at Big Omaha 2011. read more
Through August 22, help us decide the winners of our inaugural Silicon Prairie Awards, which will recognize 12
companies and individuals. You can vote once per day per category.
Winners will be announced live on stage at
our August 30 event.
