As a large corporation participating in the startup space, one of Sprint's core objectives is to help cultivate an entrepreneurial community in Kansas City. If you are like me, you are still learning exactly what that means. Clearly there are benefits to engaging in this space, but what are those benefits? Why should corporations care and ultimately help startups and entrepreneurs? When Sprint first engaged in the startup and entrepreneurial community in Kansas City, we got this question a lot. And my answer really hasn't changed much since our first interaction at Hack the Midwest in the summer … read more

Omaha (Sponsor post authored by Dr. Deepak Khazanchi.) The ability to continuously learn and build upon your skills as an information technology (IT) professional is not only essential for personal growth, but also critical in today's global businesses landscape. To meet the increasing demand for highly-qualified and technologically current IT professionals, the University of Nebraska at Omaha's College of Information Science and Technology (IS&T) offers affordable, cutting-edge IT education for professionals in a short workshop format under the auspices of its IT Professional Academy. … read more

Omaha (Sponsor post authored by Bart Dillashaw.) At one of the recent Lunch & Learns put on by the Mastercraft Advisors, John Grose and Doug Sutko of First National Bank discussed the "cost of capital" of debt and equity. Entrepreneurs often fail to think about this concept as much as they should, and it is a topic worth exploring in more detail. Those in financial circles throw around the term "cost of capital" generally to refer to the level of return a given investment is going to have to deliver to attract investors. Cost of capital tends to be proportionate to risk, so the riskier an investment, the higher … read more

If you visit Silicon Prairie News often you may have seen a banner for BizSpark. As I engage startup communities across the central U.S. I'm often asked to help founders maximize their BizSpark membership, or to explain … read more

(This is a sponsor post by Chris Bernard of Microsoft BizSpark.) There's an old adage that the best way to describe a job you love is that you would do it for free. I'm fortunate enough in my role in Microsoft that I've been able to experience that opportunity by working and meeting with investors, entrepreneurs and startups from all walks of life and … read more

Kansas City (Thanks to Social: IRL and its Social Business Summit & Strategy Workshop for sponsoring Silicon Prairie News. This sponsored post was written by the team at Social: IRL.) When it comes web strategy, interactive marketing, and social technologies, Jeremiah Owyang is one of the most respected names in the industry. Partner of Customer Strategy at Altimeter Group, Jeremiah has keynoted at major industry conferences across the US, Europe and Asia. On April 26 Jeremiah will join Lawrence-based new media agency… read more

Kansas City (Thanks to Social: IRL and its Social Business Summit & Strategy Workshop for sponsoring Silicon Prairie News. This sponsored post was written by the team at Social: IRL.) When it comes web strategy, interactive marketing, and social technologies, Jeremiah Owyang is one of the most respected names in the industry. Partner of Customer Strategy at Altimeter Group, Jeremiah has keynoted at major industry conferences across the US, Europe and Asia. On April 26 Jeremiah will join Lawrence-based new media agency… read more

Omaha Thanks to Nerdy Thirty by Wendy Townley for sponsoring Silicon Prairie News this week. This sponsored post was written by Wendy Townley. | I began blogging in 2003 as a way to have a little fun with my writing. The ability to put fingers to Macintosh and share my thoughts to the world with a few clicks of the keyboard thrilled me to no end. An idea or experience would surface in my head. Within a few brief hours, my prose… read more

Lawrence Thanks to Free State Social for sponsoring Silicon Prairie News this week. You can learn more about the conference at FreeStateSocial.com or find them on Twitter at @FreeStateSocial. At last week’s Social Media Club of Kansas City breakfast, the organizers of the Free State Social raffled off a ticket to one of the club members. The winner, Jenn Bailey, wanted to share her thoughts on why the Free… read more

Lawrence How many times a day do you hear the phrases “Google it,” social media movement sweeping the world? At Free State Social you’ll connect with comrades in arms and will extend your social network beyond 140 characters. Free State Social, the forum for social media will make its debut in Lawrence, Kansas April 29-30, 2010. Yes, Lawrence, Kanas is the locale for this conference that will feature national speakers including Jeremiah Owyang of Altimeter Group, Ellyn Angelotti of Poynter Online… read more