Get to know 3 organizations supporting entrepreneurs in eastern Iowa
“Iowa has pockets of innovation across the state” is a common phrase among leaders and other stakeholders in Iowa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
But what do those pockets look like? Across the eastern Iowa region, it includes a legacy company providing space for new hardware startups to grow, a provider of innovation services and coworking space, and an innovation hub with programs designed to inspire both youths and adults.
We asked leaders of three eastern Iowa organizations to share more about their work supporting the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Their responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
Grace Technologies and Maple Studios, Davenport: Drew Allen, Grace Technologies president and CEO
Grace Technologies started in 1991 as a family-owned manufacturer of devices to make industrial facilities safer and more productive. Drew Allen grew up shadowing his dad, and now as president and CEO, has led the company’s evolution into a “modern industrial technology platform.”
He said a key part of that transformation was the launch of the Maple Studios startup space at its Davenport headquarters. In 2023, Grace opened a Maple Studios location with a model similar to the West Des Moines location at Ramco Innovations.
“We built Maple because we knew that industrial founders need more than four walls and Wi-Fi,” Allen said. “They need tools, mentors and momentum. Today, Maple is a launchpad for founders and a catalyst for innovation inside Grace. It represents our belief that innovation isn’t a department or buzzword but a way of operating. It’s our identity.”
What areas of eastern Iowa do Grace Technologies and Maple Studios serve?
While Grace has a national and international footprint, we remain deeply committed to eastern Iowa, not just as our headquarters, but as our community. Maple serves the broader Quad Cities area and reaches as far as Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Waterloo through our direct relationships with startups, educators and regional economic development groups. Maple Studios is especially focused on supporting hardware, Internet of Things and industrial technology entrepreneurs who are too often overlooked by traditional accelerators.
What services do your organizations offer and who is the target audience for those services?
Grace primarily develops and manufactures electrical safety and predictive maintenance solutions for industrial customers across all major verticals, from food and beverage and automotive to utilities and data centers. But with Maple Studios, we’ve extended our mission to early-stage companies building physical and software products. We offer these startups access to engineering support, lab space, prototyping tools, business coaching and even shared administrative resources like shipping, logistics and content creation.
We are looking for founders building industrial-focused hardware or software startups, founders working on connected devices, manufacturing technologies, electrification solutions and software that supports these areas. Maple Studios is purpose-built to give them the tools and expertise they need to scale. We don’t operate like a traditional accelerator. Instead, we embed these startups into our environment, giving them real-world exposure to what it takes to build, test and ship. It’s a hands-on model that’s built to get companies off the whiteboard and into the world.
Can you describe a time you have seen your organization’s work make a difference, whether in a big or small way?
One of the most meaningful examples of our impact at Grace came during our collaboration with Girl Scout Troop 1790 for their Robotics Day. While our products help prevent injuries and save lives on a global scale every day, it’s moments like these, right here in our own community, that highlight how we can also help shape the future.
When we learned the troop’s goal was to earn all three Brownie Robotics badges in one day, we knew we had to be involved. We turned our facility into a hands-on learning lab, and our engineering team designed activities that made programming, robotics and critical thinking both accessible and fun. From building Bristlebots to coding art and navigating obstacle courses, the girls experienced real-world applications of STEM in a workplace where innovation happens daily.
The energy and curiosity we saw that day was inspiring, not just for the Scouts, but for our team as well. We saw future engineers and problem-solvers in the making, and it reminded us why we’re committed to engaging with and investing in STEM education. Being nominated for an Outstanding Service Award was an honor, but the real reward was knowing we helped spark a passion that could lead to a lifelong love of technology and discovery. Grace will always support opportunities that empower the next generation of innovators.
What qualities or characteristics do you think make an entrepreneurial ecosystem strong?
A strong entrepreneurial ecosystem provides access to capital, mentorship, talent and customers. But more than that, it’s defined by a culture of trust and shared experience. Entrepreneurs need to feel they aren’t alone. What sets our region apart is its collaborative spirit. At Grace and Maple Studios, we play the role of the connector and the builder. We offer infrastructure that most startups couldn’t afford on their own and pair that with mentorship from a company that’s successfully scaled multiple product lines globally.
Our model bridges the gap between concept and commercialization, especially for hardware founders. We aren’t chasing the next unicorn; we’re helping build durable businesses that add value to our region. And in doing so, we’re investing not just in products, but in people who will go on to build the next generation of Iowa’s economy.
What is one thing you think Iowa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem does well and what is one thing you would like to see improve?
As a proud free-market capitalist, I believe one of the biggest barriers to starting a company in America is health care. Taking the leap to build something new is already risky; add the threat of losing coverage or going bankrupt from a medical emergency, and it becomes a dealbreaker for a lot of great talent.
This is especially true in Iowa. We have world-class people here, but many are locked into large corporations because of the “golden handcuffs” that come with generous health insurance. That’s a good deal for big companies, but it holds back innovation. Most early-stage startups can’t offer anything close, and that creates a massive talent gap for small teams trying to build something from scratch.
Iowa should take the lead by offering subsidized health insurance for entrepreneurs and early-stage founders in the first two to three years of a company’s life. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just enough to remove health care as the reason someone doesn’t go build. This would unlock a wave of innovation across the state, attract families and make Iowa a place where builders want to come and stay. This was a major factor in my dad choosing to start a business in Iowa. My mom had rheumatoid arthritis, and at the time, Iowa had a program that if you were denied insurance multiple times, you could then go on the state insurance. This made a huge difference and allowed Dad to build without worrying about health care coverage.
One successful exit from a company that got its start because of this program would more than pay for it. This is a smart, targeted bet on the kind of future we want for Iowa, one where the best ideas don’t die in a benefits spreadsheet. While Grace isn’t looking to exit, based on a quick review of our tax returns since starting up, I think that original state program was a pretty good investment.
Other proposals include eliminating most non-compete agreements, increasing locally held hackathons and attracting large companies that depend on startup ecosystems to thrive – moves that could also lead to stronger, larger exits.
The Innovation Lab, Dubuque: Eric Dregne, director
Eric Dregne said he spent a year asking leaders from companies, nonprofits, universities, schools and other organizations two questions: How do you think about innovation? What do you need to do it better?
“The answers to those questions led us to launch the Innovation Lab with the mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the communities we serve,” Dregne said. “We began in 2018 with innovation spaces and innovation services designed to get teams offsite and engaged in asking better questions, creating choices and making strategic decisions.”
The Innovation Lab’s coworking space in Dubuque opened shortly after, he said.
What areas of eastern Iowa does the Innovation Lab serve?
Our Innovation Labs began in Dubuque. In 2019, we opened our first rural innovation space in Cascade, followed by three more in Dyersville, Independence and Monticello. Our goal was to test the impact that innovation spaces could have on rural communities. With support from Dupaco Community Credit Union, we launched these spaces and still operate all but one today.
What services does the Innovation Lab offer and who is the target audience for those services?
We offer innovation services to companies, organizations and communities. Our proprietary Innovation Works process helps teams identify challenges clearly by asking better questions and creating choices that can be tested, evaluated and implemented. Our clients use our processes for product or process improvement, developing strategy, engaging stakeholders and strengthening teams.
Our entrepreneurship services include a coworking space, business coaching and planning, website evaluation, as well as events designed to foster a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in Dubuque. We primarily support startups and lifestyle businesses, but have a couple of scalable companies we are working with.
Can you describe a time you have seen your organization’s work make a difference, whether in a big or small way?
Almost every day, but especially when we work with teams using our Innovation Works process. The process uses game theory so teams have fun, connect and create meaningful ideas. We have helped a big company create protectable ideas worth millions of dollars. We helped another revamp their onboarding process to improve retention and another to improve fee structures to improve customer experiences. Last week, we worked with a small nonprofit that said, “Our session with the Innovation Lab was energizing and eye-opening — Eric’s easygoing presence, thoughtful questions and fresh perspective helped us see our work in new ways. He challenged us kindly but directly, naming what needed to be said with the clarity only an insightful outsider can bring.”
What qualities or characteristics do you think make an entrepreneurial ecosystem strong?
First, a network of entrepreneurs who care about each other. A strong ecosystem is led by entrepreneurs and creatives. Then, all the other things — access to coaching, mentors, events, capital, flexible office space — startups need. The things by themselves don’t build a strong ecosystem — it’s the care and feeding of entrepreneurs and creatives that makes a strong ecosystem.
What role do you think your organization plays in strengthening the ecosystem in eastern Iowa?
We have lots of the things entrepreneurs need, and we care about creatives and entrepreneurs in our community. Our coaching services are built on an empowerment model. We embrace lifestyle businesses and aren’t just focused on finding the next big thing. We are building (slowly but surely) an ecosystem that is led by entrepreneurs, not by us, not by service providers or economic developers. We are a catalyst and a resource for the ecosystem.
What is one thing you think Iowa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem does well, and what is one thing you would like to see improve?
In many ways, the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Iowa is more developed than the ecosystem here in eastern Iowa. Stronger networks are the result of caring entrepreneurs who cultivated their ecosystems. I think we can connect with each other to support startup capital needs, ecosystem capacity building and to collect and share data more effectively to build more understanding and support of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Iowa. Iowa has hundreds, even thousands, of exciting startups and entrepreneurs — many are in our smallest towns, inventing, creating and growing incredible ideas into companies. The problem is that most people don’t know, and that can be limiting Iowa’s potential.
Innovate 120, Maquoketa: Robert Abbott, executive director
Innovate 120 is an innovation hub and coworking space located in a former bank on Maquoketa’s historic Main Street. Maquoketa native Robert Abbott founded Innovate 120 in 2020 to be a catalyst for business growth in Jackson County.
He said the hub’s work is driven by four pillars:
Work: Offering flexible, affordable coworking space to allow new businesses a “launchpad to focus more of their energy on their ideas and businesses and to bring more businesses, their employees and their partners downtown.”
Build: Drive entrepreneurship and create rural jobs, support current industry clusters and grow a new industry cluster in the information technology field. The organization is designing scaled entrepreneurship and business innovation programs in Jackson County to help businesses at varying stages of growth.
Learn: Provide monthly programming from staff and industry experts that is open to area residents and business people and will provide opportunities to train incumbent workers from local businesses to address emerging skills gaps and professional development.
Connect: Provide a space where new ideas come together. Connecting over common ground and breaking new ground can help drive individual and collective growth.
What areas of eastern Iowa does Innovate 120 serve?
We are primarily focused on the communities in Jackson County, although many of our programs and relationships extend to Dubuque, Clinton, Scott and Linn counties.
What services does Innovate 120 offer and who is the target audience?
We have developed a series of programs to focus on supporting the growth of youths. This includes a six-week UX Design internship for high school students, a Summer Science Camp series for elementary and middle school students and a startup pitch competition for Maquoketa High School. Adult programs include a monthly conversation called Wednesdays Are Possible, featuring local business success stories. Also, an e-commerce accelerator to introduce adults to the process and priorities for launching an online business. Our state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities support local businesses and organizations with facilities.
Can you describe a time you have seen your organization’s work make a difference, whether in a big or small way?
Some of our biggest impacts have been seen through the UX Design Internship, our longest-running program. The two primary goals of the program are to develop critical thinking and communication skills. We aim to help these students envision a bigger future for themselves. In one example, a student with many challenges and not on track for college found his confidence and voice and is now pursuing a degree in network security.
What qualities or characteristics do you think make an entrepreneurial ecosystem strong?
In founding Innovate 120, we believe that the time for growth in rural America is now. In the wake of the pandemic, so much about how we work, learn, build and connect has been disrupted. Across our country, there is increased receptiveness to questioning established approaches and considering new ideas. With geographic location now less of a determinant, the seeds for new ideas can take root anywhere, especially rural places like Jackson County, Iowa. The innovation mindset for success is inherent to rural communities: curiosity, creativity, risk-taking and collaboration. Innovate 120 is designed to build on that mindset to drive engagement, learning and growth.
What is one thing you think Iowa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem does well and what is one thing you would like to see improve?
Iowa has the right entrepreneurial mindset and generally the cost of living provides a much longer runway for developing ideas and companies. Demonstrating innovative support to meet founders where they are and to help make key connections can make a big difference to fuel their progress.
