Entrepreneurs’ Organization Iowa (EO Iowa), the Iowa chapter of a global peer-to-peer network of over 18,000 business owners, is inviting business owners and entrepreneurs to its first “A Taste of EO Iowa” event for prospective EO members on Sept. 21. According to a news release, EO Iowa exists to support entrepreneurs to achieve their full […]

InnoVenture Iowa’s second-quarter update included the announcement of four new portfolio companies. The $30 million fund now has 12 portfolio companies. The four new companies are: The update also shared that applications for the second annual InnoVenture Challenge, a $100,000 pitch competition, will open Friday. Investment Director Kaylee Williams said in the update that InnoVenture Iowa will be […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a $3,987,550 investment in a Linn County communications company to expand reliable, affordable high-speed internet. Prairieburg Telephone Company Inc. received a $1,993,775 USDA loan and a $1,993,775 USDA grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. The funding comes from the USDA’s ReConnect Program, which is funded by the federal Bipartisan […]

The Iowa State University Pappajohn Center has announced the members selected for the 14th ISU Startup Factory cohort. The cohort includes 19 members running 10 business ventures, either individually or in teams. The Startup Factory is an 18-week program open to technology-based, scalable ventures led by ISU scientific faculty and community members across Iowa. Participants leave prepared […]

BrokerTech Ventures announced it has hired Emily Schultz as its new managing director. Schultz will be responsible for setting and executing on the strategic direction of BTV to help advance innovation within the broker technology industry. Schultz will also be responsible for leading BTV’s five towers of operation — early-stage investments, innovation, capital, media and communications, and […]

The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the launch of two new resources on its online DSM Small Business Hub, which is aimed at supporting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. The Resource Compass is a searchable tool that provides information about organizations that can serve as resource partners for small businesses and startup companies. Business counseling services are […]

The University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center will host a virtual conversation with Mike Wells, retired CEO and family leader of Wells Enterprises, about how Wells Blue Bunny, the second-largest ice cream manufacturer in the country, made the decision to sell to the Italy-based Ferrero Group. The event is on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 8 […]

Google announced Tuesday it will invest $350 million at its data center campus in Council Bluffs. As one of Google’s largest data centers, the campus helps power services like Google Cloud, Workspace (including Gmail and Google Docs), Search and Maps, according to a news release. The investment also includes a $250,000 grant to Advance Southwest […]