The Iowa Biotechnology Association is accepting nominations for the Iowa Biotech Leader of the Year Award through Friday, Jan. 12. The Iowa Biotech Leader Award aims to honor exceptional individuals who have shown leadership within their organizations and the industry, consistently delivered innovative biotech solutions, and actively advocated for Iowa’s biotechnology sector. The winner of […]
As I was wrapping up 2023 and preparing for 2024 last week, I read through Diana Wright’s final Startup Iowa Hot List newsletter of the year. She included a story in her introduction reflecting on expanding entrepreneurial communities through one of her experiences participating in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program. Read more […]
innovationIOWA is sharing profiles of the current members of Maple Studios, a startup studio for early-stage industrial technology companies based on the campus of Ramco Innovations in West Des Moines. Laura Formanek is the creative director and owner of the Studio Process, a full-service video production company. She runs the business full time and currently works […]
InnoVenture Iowa, the first public venture capital fund in Iowa, has added three new companies to its investment portfolio since the second quarter, it has announced. The fund began co-investing in early-stage, Iowa-based startups in bioscience, advanced manufacturing and information technology in 2023. A list of all of InnoVenture Iowa’s investments to date is available here. The […]
The U.S. Department of Economic Administration has chosen the Center for Industrial Research and Service to continue its role in the national University Center program. According to a news release, the designation, along with a five-year grant, will provide CIRAS with the resources needed to enhance its support for Iowa’s construction industry. CIRAS will focus […]
The Iowa Economic Development Authority awards funding to startups in the form of low-interest loans through its Innovation Continuum, which includes five funds that are designed to offer companies non-dilutive funding at every stage of business growth. The funds are: Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR), Demonstration Fund and the Innovation Acceleration Fund, which offers Launch, Propel and […]
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications now through Jan. 31 for the 2024 Athene Black and Brown Business Summit pitch competition. Applicants must be a for-profit business that is 51% minority owned and has been in business for at least two years. The selected businesses will be invited to participate in […]
NewBoCo has announced that Jill Wilkins, who has been serving as the organization’s interim executive director since April, has now been named to the position on a permanent basis. Wilkins succeeds Aaron Horn, who stepped down in April to take a new position. Wilkins spent 10 years with the Cedar Rapids Downtown District and the Metro Economic Alliance, […]
Ramco will continue operating Maple Studios, director says Sheffield-based Sukup Manufacturing Co. announced Dec. 15 its acquisition of West Des Moines-based automation distributor Ramco Innovations. According to a news release, the acquisition will form a new entity known as Sukup Innovations, which will oversee Ramco Innovations and Sukup Innovations’ agtech offerings. “This collaboration represents a significant milestone […]
The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the 10 graduates of the second cohort of the Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator. The business owners completed a seven-month program centered around case-based peer learning, management skills and building networks to help them grow their businesses. The program uses curriculum from Boston-based nonprofit Interise and is sponsored […]