Applications for the 2026 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition are now open. The 21st annual statewide competition will award $100,000 in cash prizes to Iowa startups and entrepreneurial ventures. Iowa businesses that have been in operation for four years or less, or are not yet cash flow positive, are…
The Iowa State University Research Park and the Crop Science division of Bayer have announced the opening of the Seed Production Innovation (SPI) Innovation Center on the research park campus. According to a news release, the innovation space will host producer education, innovation workshops and foster collaboration with partners, with…
The Greater Des Moines Partnership has opened applications for the 2026 Scale DSM Business Accelerator, a program designed to help small businesses strengthen operations, increase revenue and create jobs. Over the past four years, 56 small businesses have graduated from Scale DSM, gaining tools, management strategies and professional networks to…
Bozz Prints, a gift shop in Valley Junction in West Des Moines, is seeking vendors for a new dedicated pop-up space in its shop. The area could be used for weekend pop-ups, Thursday nights during the Valley Junction Farmers Market or testing a new idea in a retail space. “Makers,…
BioConnect Iowa and the Iowa Biotechnology Association have announced that they have reached an agreement to share leadership through a joint service arrangement. Through the agreement, Jessica Hyland, who has served as executive director of IowaBio since 2019, will now also lead BioConnect, the state’s public-private partnership for economic development…
Sanjeev Satturu, senior vice president and chief information officer at Casey’s, delivered the keynote presentation at the Technology Association of Iowa’s annual Iowa Technology Summit, held April 7-8 in Des Moines. The following are nine insights about innovation from his talk. Digital is an operating model. “It is your ability…
Kathy Kay, executive vice president and chief information officer at Principal Financial Group has been named to the 2026 CIO Hall of Fame. Induction into the CIO Hall of Fame is one of the profession’s highest distinctions, recognizing leaders who have shaped the practice of IT leadership and supported the…
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition for its spring cohort on March 26. Seven teams pitched their ideas to a panel of judges after attending virtual classes on customer discovery and developing their business model alongside local entrepreneur coaches. Four…
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Iowa District Office has announced two entrepreneurs from Emmetsburg as the Iowa Small Business Persons of the Year. The SBA is recognizing Groom Curriculum’s Sierra Elbert, founder and president, and Patricia Pierce, vice president and managing educational director. Groom Curriculum is the first standardized, college-accredited…
A four-day event designed to spotlight and celebrate entrepreneurship in Iowa is coming to Des Moines Sept. 28 through Oct. 1. Iowa Startup Week is organized by a group of 25 to 30 local volunteers and has a leadership team of Kaylee Williams, Safiya Lee-Evans, Tej Dhawan and Diana Wright….