2025 innovationIOWA magazine

innovationIOWA magazine 2025

Read this year’s publication

2025 AWARD WINNERS

2025 innovationENTREPRENEUR of the Year: Emily Steele
2025 Lean TECHniques innovationLEADER of the Year: Great Outdoors Foundation

RISK CAPITAL & INVESTORS

SPONSORED BY

How it works: Microloans
Innovation essay: Unique solutions to problems often benefit from adjacencies
Meet the women paving the way in Iowa venture capital

ENTREPRENEURS & STARTUPS

SPONSORED BY

Pockets of innovation
Innovation essay: Successful entrepreneurship starts with staying curious
A small town’s dream to help entrepreneurs

CORPORATE INNOVATION

SPONSORED BY

Corteva’s big bet on ag innovation
Innovation essay: Taking chances, persevering and betting on myself
Innovating together
Here’s how leaders at Pella Corp. are using AI, automation and acquisition to maintain growth in current housing market

UNIVERSITY & EDUCATION

The University of Iowa’s Driving Safety Research Institute research opens up autonomous driving options to rural Iowans
Innovation essay: ‘The business or invention is about satisfying the needs’
New charter school opening in Des Moines’ East Village district

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY

Innovation essay: Implementing design solutions, from Apple to rural Iowa
Iowa’s hidden hotbed of innovation
Supporting Iowa industry: A Closer Look with Nicole Crain
Innovation via transportation