Go behind the scenes of the process, innovations at the Decorah brewery Clark Lewey says the first and most important step in developing a new beer or brewing innovation at Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. is that “we know who we are and we know who we are not.” Lewey started Toppling Goliath in 2009 with […]
Across the country, business schools are integrating conversations into their curriculum about corporate social responsibility, sustainability and empathetic leadership. The markets, and the next generation of leaders seeking a business education, are prioritizing corporations that think closely about conscious capitalism. Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business wants its programs to stand out for its focus […]
Metro Waste uses technology to recycle more A new robot installed in late March is the latest piece of technology that the Metro Waste Facility in Grimes has invested in as it continues to explore innovative ways to improve processing at the center. Using an artificial intelligence system, the new equipment scans the lines for […]
The Innovation in Action story format aims to demonstrate that developing, implementing and executing innovative ideas is a process — and not typically a linear one. These stories seek to highlight that throughout the ups and downs of innovation, each move is a lesson for the organization. When Avenue Scholars expanded to Des Moines in […]
The water being discharged from the city of Slater’s water treatment plant is “crystal clear, some of the cleanest wastewater I’ve seen in Iowa,” said Max Gangestad, chief operating officer for Gross-Wen Technologies. The Slater-based company has developed a system that uses algae to treat wastewater. Its first municipal system went online last year. Gangestad […]
By Katelyn Squiers, innovationIOWA contributor Hackathons aimed toward college and high school students have recently taken root again within Iowa, helping several students develop rapid problem-solving skills and experience the freedom to build creatively. A hackathon is an event where teams of people come together to develop a solution to a problem, typically in the […]
Introducing the Central IA Entrepreneurship Coalition For the last two years, a group of 12 stakeholders from Des Moines and Ames participated in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program, also known as MIT REAP. MIT REAP is a global initiative that uses frameworks designed by the university to help regions assess the […]
By Christopher Porter, director of the Artificial Intelligence Program at Drake University In the summer of 2019, a group of Drake faculty from across campus, including those with expertise in mathematics, computer science, statistics, information systems, education, philosophy, law and English, gathered together to lay out a blueprint for a new artificial intelligence major at […]
Oakridge teen tech center providing safe space for teens to dream as they pursue alternative career paths Coming to the Oakridge Studio teen tech center has helped bring his vision of being a photographer and videographer into focus, said 20-year-old Israel Kelai, who goes by Izzy. Izzy, a 2022 graduate of Des Moines North High […]
Before entrepreneurs turn their focus to building a business with economic impact, many start with an idea sparked by a passion for a cause or industry. It’s often a driving factor for the innovation and growth their companies can achieve. With so many different influences inspiring entrepreneurs, it’s important to understand what drives people and […]
