The REMADE Institute, a 154-member public-private partnership established by the U.S. Department of Energy, has announced a new technology license involving an innovation capable of recovering precious metals from used electronics more easily and cost-effectively. The innovation, developed with REMADE support with an initial investment of $140 million by DOE, is part of…
BankTech Ventures, a strategic investment fund and ecosystem launched in November to serve community banks and bank technology entrepreneurs, announced the closing of its first fund. More than 100 limited partners, made up almost entirely of community banks, invested more than $115 million in committed capital. Two Iowa-based banks, Bank Iowa…
Iowa companies are going spatial with AR/VR technologies An eastern Iowa company uses virtual reality to show its clients 3D plant layouts to illustrate how its equipment will fit into their factory and improve workflows. Another Iowa company uses a mobile virtual reality application to guide its customers through interactive…
VizyPay finds innovation through diverse hiring The vast majority of employees — more than 9 out of 10 — working at VizyPay had no previous experience in the credit payments industry when they were hired at the fast-growing, Waukee-based financial technology company. But they all have some degree of what…
Capital Chiropractic pioneering non-hospital option in Iowa for hyperbaric chamber therapy An emerging health therapy that has gained popularity on the coasts over the past couple of years has made its way to Iowa. Known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, the treatments are now available in Des Moines. Chris…
MercyOne has piloted a new patient-provider matching tool that aims to make it easier for patients to connect with a primary care physician. MercyOne worked with Patient Bond, started by former Procter & Gamble employees, to develop the online tool, said Janell Pittman, chief marketing and digital strategy officer for MercyOne….
Wells Fargo last week announced new resources designed to help increase the growth of female-owned small businesses, including a $1.5 million grant to How Women Lead. The San Francisco-based banking company said the initiative is “aimed at disrupting the unequal venture capital system for women founders.” Wells Fargo said the…
Talage Inc., a provider of digital distribution software products for commercial insurance, has announced $9 million in new venture funding. The round was led by Merus Capital, with participation by Calibrate Ventures, Hallador Financial, Advantage Capital and Reno Seed Fund. The Reno, Nev.-based company said it will use the funding to…
BrokerTech Ventures took a significant step last week toward its goal of building a connecting bridge between Israeli- and U.S.-based insurtech founders and insurance brokers. The Des Moines-based insurtech accelerator hosted a delegation representing the Israel InsurTech Accelerator, which was launched last year in partnership with BrokerTech Ventures as the first…
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co., based in West Des Moines, announced Nov. 4 it has made a $1 billion investment in a dedicated technology lending platform developed by Monroe Capital LLC, a Chicago-based boutique asset management firm specializing in private credit. The new lending platform focuses on middle-market software, technology and…