Kansas City Silicon Prairie News: What big lessons have you learned about the intersection of sports, entertainment and technology in the year-plus that you've been at Sporting Innovations? | Luke Babb: One of the biggest lessons learned while at Sporting Innovations is that nothing's impossible. We have such a creative and dynamic team, and although we can't do it all at once, there's hardly ever a time when someone says something can't be done. However, the most valuable lesson has been figuring out how we can leverage technology to create unique and valuable experience for fans, whether they're interacting in-venue, or simply watching at home on the couch. | SPN: You've described yourself as "constantly pushing the edges … read more

Kansas City Silicon Prairie News: As a former TweetCaster product manager, what factors would you say led to the app's explosive growth? | Aswin Shashindranath: There were three primary factors that contributed to the app's growth, the first being the increased number of smartphones launched with Android OS, second being Twitter becoming more mainstream and finally frequent updates to the application based on user feedback. | SPN: What were some of the biggest challenges you encountered in moving from product manager to director of monetization? | AS: It was difficult to move away from the day-to-day product decisions of creating and updating apps. However, thinking about advertising as a product helped me transition into the role more easily. In addition to that, I had … read more

Lincoln Silicon Prairie News: Since the official announcement of Nebraska Global's funding of EliteForm in January, what are some of the most exciting developments you've overseen? | Brian Zimmer: The most exciting part of a startup is the formation of a cohesive team and delivery of a new solution that makes a difference in people’s lives. Our patent-pending platform continues to gain market traction and is now in use by major programs including Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Florida State and Kansas. EliteForm continues to build connections in the industry and has exhibited our product at conventions organized by NSCA, AFCA, NSCAA, NBASCA, CSCCa and THSCA. This week we’re launching … read more

Omaha Silicon Prairie News: You founded CRi in 1999. What are you most proud of in regard to the business you've built in the last 13 years? Sue Thaden: It really has been the people along the way, the teammates and clients that we've been able to work with and the impact we've all had on each other from a personal and professional growth perspective. | SPN: You serve on the Board of Directors for TechServe Alliance (TSA), are a member of the Omaha Economic Development Council and serve on the Board of Directors with the Omaha Chamber of Commerce. When do you sleep? | ST: We're all busy, and passion fuels everything, if you're aligned with what you enjoy, that stuff doesn't phase you. Passion is a … read more

Des Moines Silicon Prairie News: What about the opportunity at Voce Communications drew you to join the team there? | Jeremy Harrington: An amazing clientele and very talented group delivering products at a very high level. | SPN: As the son of a sign painter, what was the most important career-related lesson you learned from your dad? | JH: Growing up I spent a lot of time helping my dad paint, tagging along on trips all over the state. I learned about typography, color, layout and balance, all things that inform and influence my work today. I also learned a lot about craftsmanship, caring about your work and following through to get the best possible result. … read more

Iowa City Silicon Prairie News: What drove your decision late last year to join Heroku? | Wesley Beary: By that time I had been working almost entirely on fog for over a year. I was quite happy with where that took the project, but the challenge of it and the rate at which I was learning had greatly declined. So I decided to try something new and jumped in the deep end at Heroku so that I could get my growth and learning back on the right track. | SPN: You've spoken before on "how you learned to stop worrying and love the cloud." What was the source of your initial trepidation about the cloud, and what caused you to come around? | WB: Before I started working on fog it already seemed that the writing was on the wall; cloud services were going … read more

Kansas City Silicon Prairie News: What factored into the decision for Cremalab to relaunch its site recently, and what about the upgraded site pleases you most? George Brooks: We had quickly taken down our old site when our workload became so much that we wanted to focus completely on hiring. After our team grew, we were still busy and a placeholder site was put back up. We've been spending a lot of time lately thinking about who we are, what we do best, and who we are excited to do that for. Something I'm sure we'll never stop thinking about. As we started to think through a new site, we wanted people to completely focus on the content, and let our work speak for itself. This allowed us to … read more

Omaha Silicon Prairie News: You join Dundee as the firm expands its staff, moves offices and closes a $15 million fund. What has it been like adjusting to the new job amidst that change? | Nick Engelbart: Absolutely exciting. I have already learned so much by working with Mark Hasebroock, Michael Wetta, Shaunna Boley and Andrea Sandel. Every day is different and filled with new challenges. I realized from the get go that my responsibilities would range from providing market research and enterprise analytical analysis, all the way to desk assembly. | It is rewarding to relate to some of the challenges that entrepreneurs face as they start their businesses. I’ve already met some amazing people and being a part of their dreams is very cool. We are really enjoying the creative …  read more