Share a Gig wins Go Big pitch competition

Gigabit Internet service provider Share a Gig won the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Go Big pitch competition.

Owner Matthew Thomas and team won $5,000 and six months of free rent at Missouri State University’s business incubator The eFactory. Share a Gig was picked above three other finalists, who presented their startup ideas today during the chamber's Business 2 Business Expo before a panel of three judges: chamber President and Mother’s Brewing Co. owner Jeff Schrag, Granolove co-owner Christine Daues and Creative Foundry owner Jim Michels.

Thomas, who also owns wireless Internet service provider U-Link LLC, proposed offering high-capacity broadband to residents and businesses in downtown Springfield and the C-Street Corridor.

During his presentation, Thomas said the company needs $300,000 in startup capital to get the company rolling. He said the relatively inexpensive process would use wireless signals broadcast from key points, making urban areas a key target.

"I can make this happen," he said. "This technology is proven."

Thomas said the company plans to charge $149 per month for 1-gigabit speeds, and also would offer slower speeds at less cost to the consumer.

Other finalists were Inspxtr, an advanced water and wastewater systems monitoring company; Panda Laundry Factory LLC, seeking to perform wash and fold laundry automation; and Safe Food for Me, which is building an app to allow people with dietary concerns to find local restaurant options.

“This event showcased the exciting things happening in the entrepreneurial scene in Springfield,” said Ryan Mooney, senior vice president of economic development for the chamber, in a news release. “All four of our finalists did an outstanding job. The judges were faced with a very tough decision, and the scores were very close.”[[In-content Ad]]