In 2020, the Business Record unveiled its annual innovationIOWA Magazine with less than three months to perfect our Zoom events technique. In 2021, we made the Zoom unveiling bigger and brought in four expert panelists to lead a truly statewide forum exploring how companies can support hybrid and fully remote…
To keep the story short: Today is my last day with the Business Record, and the last edition of the innovationIOWA newsletter with my byline attached. Next week I’ll begin a new (local) opportunity. I joined the Business Record at Business Publications Corp. in 2018 with the task of launching…
The Techstars Iowa Accelerator is welcoming 10 new companies to the 2021 cohort. Nearly all those in this year’s cohort founded their business amid the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns during 2020, said Kerty Levy, managing director of Techstars Iowa. “What that says is that they’re hopeful. They trust that they can…
Payment fintech Dwolla secured a $21 million venture round led by Foundry Group, Dwolla announced Wednesday. Additional investors include Park West Asset Management LLC, Union Square Ventures, Detroit Venture Partners, Firebrand Ventures and Next Level Ventures. Traeger CEO Jeremy Andrus joined as an individual investor. Global digital payment transactions in…
Before diving into his advice for organizations during the Technology Association of Iowa’s cyber webinar last Friday, Jim Sherlock wanted to clear the air with attendees. “Of course I’m really a good person who grew up in Iowa with great values. I would never do anything unethical, and I certainly…
SmartScripts, one of the first virtual pharmacies on the market, has an eye toward deeper care services for its patients. Today, SmartScripts customers receive home delivery of their regular maintenance medications through presorted SmartPacks, which organize multiple medications for patients previously struggling to manage their medication schedules. In 2018, the…
A Central Iowa electronic medical record startup finds opportunity among small practices and university education A Central Iowa startup built its business helping speech-language pathologists and audiologists communicate effectively with their patients’ health care insurance providers. Now, ClinicNote’s management of electronic medical records is reaching private practitioners and medical students…
Founders who target millennial and rising Gen Z consumers with app services have a design challenge. Apps are competing for engagement and interest against the likes of leisure giants Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok — now, upcoming financial and insurance startups are taking a design cue from these platforms to…
Edtech startups evolve through COVID-19 to reach students, teachers Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Yen Verhoeven, CEO of the STEM learning startup Qi Learning Group, saw the workload increase overnight for teachers her company supports with professional development training. It was not just that teachers had to redesign their curriculum…
How Iowa suppliers contributed in the race to build personal protective equipment Early on in 2020, headlines of product shortages began hitting the screens and newstands. Consumers worried about finding diapers, toilet paper and disinfectant spray; organizations employing essential workers were suddenly seeking personal protective equipment for their staff. Chris…