Iowa-based private equity firm Midwest Growth Partners announced Monday the completion of fundraising for its third investment fund. The firm exceeded its initial fundraising goal with $170 million raised. Midwest Growth Partners has served lower middle market companies seeking succession planning liquidity or growth investment since 2013. The firm focuses on companies in food and […]

A University of Iowa College of Nursing professor Stephanie Gilbertson-White is using a mobile app to help Iowans in small towns and rural communities learn more about the nature of their cancer diagnosis and how to best manage their symptoms. The app is called Oncology Associated Symptoms and Individualized Strategies, abbreviated as OASIS. It provides evidence […]

Four business ideas shared $5,000 in prize money at the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Venture School Spring Pitch Competition on April 11. Paul Altvater of Level Up Bouldering won $2,400, for his idea of a combined rock-climbing, weight lifting and yoga studio. Alan Murdock took second place and an award of $1,200 […]

Meta and Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs are hosting a premiere of a short documentary about an Iowa family-owned business followed by two panels discussing how to support the future of small businesses on Tuesday, April 25 at Fleur Cinema and Cafe. The documentary, “They Came From All Over,” was directed by Academy Award winner […]

Johnston-based fintech Growers Edge announced last week a strategic relationship with Munich Re in Germany, a provider of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk management. According to a news release, the relationship between the two companies will bring together Growers Edge’s data and analytics and Munich Re’s experience in reinsurance to help increase efficiency and […]

The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced Monday innovation funding for three startups through Iowa’s State Small Business Credit Initiative. The Innovation Fund was created as part of the initiative to offer additional funding opportunities to assist entrepreneurs through concept, launch and expansion. Nebullam Inc., based in Ames, received a $250,000 Innovation Acceleration Launch Fund loan […]

Last week the Business Record honored the 2023 class of Forty Under 40. Four of this year’s honorees work in the technology industry or entrepreneurial community. Learn what issue they would like to see Central Iowa leaders address below and read their full profiles by clicking on their name. Watch a replay of last week’s […]

OpenLoop Health, a Des Moines-based provider of telehealth support services powering virtual and hybrid care across the country, announced Tuesday its acquisition of Imaging Panda and the addition of a new diagnostic imaging support service. The acquisition will allow OpenLoop clients to use Imaging Panda’s streamlined image ordering and facility coordination with automated results notifications. Through Imaging […]

The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has announced seven finalists for the 2023 pitch competition presented by Bank of America at the third annual Athene Black & Brown Business Summit. The finalists were selected out of 47 applicants from across the U.S. including Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Pennsylvania and several from […]

Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law Senate File 262, which provides consumers the right to know what of their personal data companies have processed. “In our digital age, it’s never been more important to state, clearly and unmistakably, that consumers deserve a reasonable level of transparency and control over their personal data,” Reynolds said in a […]