An initiative of Kansas City’s leading business organizations, The Gigabit Challenge solicited business plans from technology entrepreneurs seeking to use Kansas City’s upcoming Google Fiber network to get their businesses off the ground.

Conducted from October 1 – November 18, 2011, the contest drew 113 submissions from around the globe. In this daylong session, finalists will present their business plans before a live audience.

Prizes will be awarded including a start-up package valued at $100,000 and a special Gramercy Private Equity “Born Global” prize of $250,000 awarded to the company whose business idea has the best prospects for extending rapidly across the globe using cutting-edge technology.

The contest was organized by Kansas City’s Think Big Partners in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Kansas City Public Library and others.