It won’t be long until we’re all looking elegant and dapper August 21 at Midland Theatre in Kansas City, celebrating another year of growth and success across the region at the third-annual Silicon Prairie Awards. We’ve seen unique storylines unfold in our three core regions—an influx of code schools in Nebraska, Iowa’s foundational growth of accelerators and spaces for collaboration, and Kansas City’s attraction as a hub for testing out new technologies. Everyone plays a part.

Which brings us here. Before we can celebrate, we need all of you to help us determine which individuals and companies we’ll be crowning. It’s a two-week voting period that ends at 11:59 p.m. on August 11. That means you have loads of time to spread the word.

This year we’ve added two categories we’re excited about: Best Creation and Best Work Culture. For the latter, we felt it was a great opportunity to highlight something core to the experience of choosing to work in the entrepreneurial community, so we’re having some fun with it and giving the finalists a chance to make their pitch. You’ll hear more from them soon.

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As today unfolds, we’ll be posting more information about each category every half hour to hour, so check back often to be fully informed when you vote!

So sit back, vote and grab a ticket to the 2014 Silicon Prairie Awards!

Voting process

One vote per person per day for each of the categories. Make your vote count. Spread the word.

Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on August 11. The public vote will be tallied August 12 and combined with the votes of our judges—who will be announced in the coming days. The scores from both groups will then be averaged and hold an even 50 percent value.

Any votes deemed to be fradulent may be dismissed at SPN’s discretion.

Cast your vote for the Silicon Prairie Awards!

	Startup of the Year The one everyone’s talking about. They’re making headlines, headed toward long-term success. Get to know the finalists for Startup of the Year. Bulu Box Higher Learning Technologies MindMixer opendorse Travefy
	New Startup of the Year The young’n that has, within the last year, grown from idea to full-fledged force. Get to know the finalists for New Startup of the Year. Briefcase Knoda Nobl Pear Deck Pushlee
	Best Creation An incredible project—marketing campaign, physical product, hardware, app, website, anything—that innovates or re-imagines. Get to know the finalists for Best Creation. Bawte Blumoo Ocuvera ShotTracker Social Media Monitor by Social Assurance
	Executive of the Year It may have been bleak at times, or maybe it was a smooth ride, but they led their company to remarkable success. Get to know the finalists for Executive of the Year. David Chait, Travefy Nick Bowden, MindMixer Paul Jarrett, Bulu Box Toby Rush, EyeVerify Wade Arnold, Banno
	Technologist of the Year They could be a developer, engineer or programmer on staff, or they could be a freelancer. But a startup’s product wouldn’t have been quite the same without them. Get to know the finalists for Technologist of the Year.  Adam England, Knoda Caitlin Bales, Bulu Box Chris Davis, Travefy Timothy Braun, opendorse Zach Hilbert, CouponCloud
	Designer of the Year This team member, freelancer or consultant made a mark on a startup’s product by providing an amazing user experience or beautiful design. Get to know the finalists for Designer of the Year.  Ben Sinclair, Offspring Jared Krause, Think Big Partners Katie Hottovy, Nobl Kelly Tomlinson, Cremalab Mark Palmer, Far Reach
	Student Entrepreneur of the Year This student or student-led company—undergrad or younger—is getting noticed and makes everyone question what they did at that age, either by building a company or leading entrepreneurial activity. Get to know the finalists for Student Entrepreneur of the Year. Blake Rupe Brent Comstock Coral Ryan Martinez Spectator
	Investor of the Year They don’t just provide funding. They brag about their companies and connect them to the people who will make things happen. Get to know the finalists for Investor of the Year. Built by Iowa Dundee Venture Capital Linseed Capital Nebraska Angels OpenAir Equity Partners
	Service Provider of the Year This lawyer, accountant, marketer or other service provider made things happen for startups, simple as that. Get to know the finalists for Service Provider of the Year. Advent IP Bart Dillashaw Chris Brown JPEC – University of Iowa Sculpt
	Silicon Prairie Champion While entrepreneurs are hard at work building, this individual or company selflessly gives time to advancing their startup community. Get to know the finalists for Silicon Prairie Champion. Brian Ardinger David Tominsky Geoff Wood Jennifer Wadella Kevin McGinnis Sumeet Jain
	Best Culture (voting opens soon) The startup everyone wants to work at, that has the best benefits, the best leadership, the best environment. Bulu Box Dewsly MindMixer Pack SquareOffs

Cast your vote for the Silicon Prairie Awards!

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