Race is on to find best ways to use fast Google service

Google promises to wire Kansas City like no other place in the country. But what to do with all that rocket-fast Internet speed? A local technology start-up incubator isn't content to leave use of the 1-gigabit-per-second connections to chance. Instead, Think Big Partners is organizing the Gigabit Challenge to analyze ideas for applications of Google Fiber.

The Gigabit Challenge announced prizes totaling $200,000 in cash and services for ideas for making the best use of the super-fast hook-ups, including $100,000 worth for the best idea. “It will give you a jump start to help you with your great idea to get better, and get better faster,” said Tyler Prochnow, a founder of Think Big. The Gigabit Challenge aims to identify some of the best potential uses before the service cranks up. It seeks three- to five-page summaries of business ideas by Oct. 3, with subsequent deadlines for a winnowed field of finalists. It will announce winners in January.