The team behind VolunteerLocal hams it up in the Big Omaha photobooth. From far left, Jeremy Harrington of Voce Communications, Brad Dwyer of Hatchlings, Brian Hemesath of Catchwind, and myself. VolunteerLocal is the first startup to join Thinc Iowa’ Startup Circle. Photo by Malone & Company.
Preparations for our inaugural Thinc Iowa conference in October are moving fast. For those keeping track, it’s less than three months away and over the course of the next few weeks, you’ll see more information from us as the website goes live and tickets go on sale.
One development that we wanted to roll out today is another way for startups to get involved. Starting this week, we’re opening up a new sponsorship opportunity, Startup Circle, that will give up-and-coming companies the chance to sponsor at a more reachable level than the established corporations that lend their support.
Thanks to our sponsor
At its core, this sponsorship is a reflection of the spirit of Thinc Iowa, a “common ground” for startups and corporations. So, if you think you’re the next Dwolla, Zaarly or Hudl, we’d love to see you become involved, and we encourage you to act fast as only 15 spots are available. My own startup, VolunteerLocal, has claimed the first spot. (Please note, we have two contraints for the sponsorship: companies can have no more than three full-time employees and have not raised more than $1 million in external financing.)
Thanks to all the other sponsors who have already signed up to support Thinc Iowa, including T8 Webware, Business Innovation Zone, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Quova, Startup Launchpad at DavisBrown, Catchwind and our brand and identity partner, Performance Marketing.
If you’re interested in sponsoring Thinc Iowa at any level, please contact Jeff Slobotski at jeff@siliconprairienews.com, or myself, Geoff Wood, at geoff@siliconprairienews.com.
(Above: Hudl was a sponsor of our Silicon Prairie Party at SXSW 2011. Photo by Imijfoto.)
