Using greater collaboration to meet customers’ changing needs By Michael Crumb Wellabe, formerly American Enterprise Group, has been on a journey to become a more agile organization to create an environment where its leadership and employees can be more collaborative to achieve better results for its customers. The insurance company started its journey towards becoming […]
By Michael Crumb Starting out as a crop insurance company in 2016, Growers Edge has evolved into a company that offers warrantied crop performance products and an agriculture input financing program. The goal, leaders of the Johnston-based company said, is to help retailers and input manufacturers, and the farmers they already serve. “Those ag experts […]
Submitted by Todd Van Thomme Here’s a simple formula: Patents equal innovation. Except it’s not that simple. The number of patents often does not accurately represent the level of innovation, and innovation certainly occurs without patenting. Although the number of patents filed is a convenient way to quantify innovation, especially for stakeholders, to truly understand […]
How Iowa will use Disability Innovation Fund Grant Submitted by Brandy McOmber Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services was awarded a Disability Innovation Fund Grant to support innovative activities aimed at improving the outcomes of individuals with disabilities. Nearly $14 million, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, will be used over five years to advance and […]
IBI Scientific, a Dubuque-based manufacturer and international provider of life science research equipment and reagents, has launched its new specialty and custom blending department, allowing it to offer private-labeled, custom-blended chemicals. IBI expanded its Dubuque facility to include a state-of-the-art pure water system, sterile suite, anti-room and quality control lab. IBI Scientific now can special […]
Iowa State University has been named Entrepreneurial University of the Year for the Americas, in an international competition covering a 33-country region. The award, presented by the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities, recognizes excellence in incorporating entrepreneurial initiatives throughout the university and prioritizing entrepreneurship and engagement in higher education. “Being recognized among our global […]
Submitted by Mike Sellberg, chief of product and staff at Coviance One of the most challenging aspects of running an early-stage company is determining how to scale the business quickly and sustainably. This is a process that requires alignment across company leaders, sales professionals, marketing and product teams at every stage of growth, as well as […]
The Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab was recently awarded a nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to help refine the use of high-volume testing methods. The project was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to prepare for future disease outbreaks. Researchers will […]
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is hosting a Raising Capital for Startups Seminar on July 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The session will be led by entrepreneurs and local investment and business leaders. Topics covered will include the process of raising capital, capitalization tables, pitching to investors and the term sheet. This year […]
Cedar Rapids-based Involta has hired Michael Joffe as vice president of channel to elevate the firm’s channel partner program. Channel partnerships are strategic alliances between businesses that meet mutual goals and offer advantages. Joffe brings more than 20 years of experience across the digital infrastructure and technology industries and experience in building strategic channel partner […]