Lola’s CEO says retailers’ programs are coming into the ‘limelight’ For small businesses seeking growth for their consumer packaged goods brands, getting their products into grocery stores can be a challenge when a few conglomerate brands supply most of a store’s inventory. It’s a challenge Taufeek Shah, founder and CEO of Lola’s Fine Sauces, is […]

World Intellectual Property Day recognizes women’s advancement in IP This year, the celebration of World Intellectual Property Day, recognized each year on April 26 by the World Intellectual Property Organization, was dedicated to the continued advancement of women’s innovation and creativity in the field.   Gender disparities in intellectual property rights are as old as the field […]

The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and the college’s Small Business Development Center are hosting a Business Transition Planning Workshop on Thursday, April 20. The event is designed for attorneys, banking associates, brokers, CPAs, business owners and community leaders and economic developers to attend. Christopher Proskey and James McCarthy of BrownWinick […]

Following a December 2022 acquisition, Ankeny-based cybersecurity firm Pratum has been transitioning its brand into Heartland Business Systems, a Wisconsin-based technology services provider with an Iowa office in Urbandale.  Pratum has kept its name in the Iowa market but will move the brand entirely under HBS in the coming months, a spokesperson wrote in an email. […]

Plus, two founders share how the startup studio supported them The renovated Maple Studios space on the campus of factory automation equipment distributor Ramco Innovations is now open. It’s designed to support early-stage industrial technology companies and founders during their startup to growth stages. Since 2018, Maple Studios, formerly Maple Ventures, has filled gaps for industrial […]

As National Agriculture Week is recognized March 21-27, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the agricultural industry, including Iowa, has numerous opportunities to innovate and solve problems. Issues stemming from disrupted supply chains in recent years have brought more attention to where “food, fiber and fuel” come from, Naig said. He credits Iowa’s reputation for managing the […]

Establishing multiple banking relationships most likely effect for Iowa startups Leaders in Iowa’s startup community say the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank over the weekend were isolated incidents, but they are likely to affect how Iowa startups and investors approach and evaluate banking relationships. Next Level Ventures, ISA Ventures and ManchesterStory Group […]

A look at the new Smart Industrial Strategy at Des Moines Works factory Tech takeaway The John Deere Des Moines Works factory in Ankeny produces four main products: self-propelled sprayers, cotton pickers, tillage equipment and grain drills. In 2020, Deere & Co. launched a new operating model, the Deere Smart Industrial Strategy, focusing on technology […]