One of the startups in the Silicon Prairie Awards category we’re highlighting today acquired 200,000 users in less than a year. Another accumulated more than $800,000 in inventory. But big numbers are only a small part of the equation for the four New Startup of the Year finalists.

At our inaugural awards event on Aug. 30, one of those four companies will be crowned New Startup of the Year. In anticipation of that celebration, we’re providing overviews of the four contenders for each of our 12 Silicon Prairie Awards. The finalists — 48 in all — are the result of public nominations in July and input from our selection committee earlier this month.

A public vote will help determine the winners of the awards, so cast your ballot for the New Startup of the Year below, or visit the awards page to vote on all 12 categories.

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Join us for the Silicon Prairie Awards: We have a fun night of community celebration planned for Aug. 30 at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha. Tickets still remain for the event, which includes an opening reception, keynote talk by TechStars founder and CEO David Cohen, awards ceremony and a closing party. Purchase your tickets today.

Meet the finalists

The New Startup of the Year is new kid on the block that quickly made a name for itself, and for good reason. Qualifying startups launched public beta between July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012. (Italicized company descriptions below from company websites.)

	Front Flip is a leading provider of customer engagement solutions that offer businesses a fun and easy way to connect with customers at the point of purchase and beyond. (Overland Park, Kan.) Launched in Kansas City in Nov. 2011, and then nationwide in April, Front Flip has attracted a client list that includes McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Arby’s and Boston Market. With more than 200,000 registered users, the customer engagement platform can be found in more than 700 locations. Press includes attention from the Kansas City Business Journal, Pitch and a few trade publications. In May, FrontFlip’s CEO participated on a mobile panel at New York’s Internet Week. (More: Front Flip news, on SPN.)
	Goodsmiths is a new marketplace for makers to buy and sell handmade goods online using secure payments with Paypal and Dwolla. Goodsmiths launched in early April and by the end of June had signed up more than 1,300 stores that listed more than $800,000 in total inventory. June was also marked by a key hire for the startup, as Goodsmiths hired an 18-year Meredith veteran to join its team. The company also attracted two advisors in January: David Kurns, a director at Meredith, and Michael Ferrari, a co-founder of SmartyPig. Press includes coverage by the Des Moines Register and other local outlets. (More: Goodsmiths press, on SPN.)
	Klink Mobile enables the transfer of cellular airtime minutes and currency via a proprietary, cloud-based ﬁnancial transaction platform. (Kansas City, Mo.) Launched in January, Klink Mobile began marketing its platform to users in Afghanistan in February. One month later, the startup’s founder was selected to participate in Think Big Partner’s Silicon Valley Bank Seed Showcase. In June, Klink Mobile was part of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Demo Day. (More: Klink Mobile on SPN)
	Sporting Innovations, LP is focused on developing and deploying next-generation technology to support the sports and entertainment industry, as well as its patrons. (Kansas City, Mo.) Launched in October 2011 by Sporting Club, Sporting Innovations is the creator of the FAN360 application, described as a “real time delivery of interactive experiences by injection of sociographic data to create social intelligence and facilitate engagement.” In May, TheStadiumBusiness awarded the app its Product Innovation Award, which recognizes a product or service that has uniquely transformed and improved the way stadiums, arenas and sports venues do business. Sporting Innovations has been covered by Fast Company, the Kansas City Business Journal and other outlets. (More: Sporting Innovations press, on SPN.)