Iowa’s innovation ecosystem had another busy year that made for plenty of news to report and stories to tell across the state. Some highlights from the year include the announcement of a new $6 million early-stage VC fund, Iowa City-based Merge Coworking renovating and expanding services and the launch of the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute. Also, we covered memories of […]
The Technology Association of Iowa is seeking speakers for its annual Iowa Technology Summit set for April 8, 2025. The five content tracks for the 2025 conference are cybersecurity, data, innovation, leadership and transformation. Speakers can submit ideas for long-form sessions like deep dives or workshops or short-form sessions, which could include mini keynotes, lightning […]
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the pitch competition at the 2025 Athene Black and Brown Business Summit now through Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. On April 16, seven top applicants and one randomly selected participant will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. All participants receive a monetary prize, […]
Repaint Studios, a Hampton-based startup, won the $100,000 cash prize at the third annual InnoVenture Challenge on Dec. 5 at the Loft DSM in Des Moines. Repaint Studios founder and CEO Billie Asmus invented the Repaint Tray, a reusable and resealable paint tray with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of home improvement supplies. […]
The Iowa Rural Development Council is accepting nominations now through Jan. 15 for the Rand Fisher Rural Leadership Awards. The awards honor individuals, businesses and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication to improving and advancing rural development in Iowa. The three award categories are: The awards will be presented at the IRDC’s 2025 Iowa […]
The Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio) is accepting nominations for the 2025 Iowa Biotech Leader of the Year Award now through Jan. 17. The award aims to honor exceptional individuals who have shown leadership within their organizations and the industry, consistently delivered innovative biotech solutions and advocated for Iowa’s biotechnology sector. IowaBio will announce and honor […]
InnoVenture Iowa has announced the three finalists for the InnoVenture Challenge who will pitch at the live event on Dec. 5 in Des Moines. The finalists are Immuno Nano Med, founded by Balaji Narasimhan, Repaint Studios, founded by Billie Asmus, and NarrateAR, founded by Karri Haen Whitmer and Christopher Whitmer. Registration for the event is available online.
Over 120 participants from Iowa and neighboring states attended the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Iowa Angel Investor Summit at Landus’ downtown location on Tuesday. Now in its third year, the one-day summit was an opportunity for active and aspiring angel investors to come together to help accelerate entrepreneurship in Iowa. Tej Dhawan, managing director and […]
The Iowa Biotechnology Association has announced that the Ag Startup Engine will offer a $25,000 investment to one company that pitches during IowaBio’s 2025 Iowa Biotech Showcase and Conference (IBSC) Showcase Competition. A panel of judges will select a winner of the showcase to receive $10,000, and Ag Startup Engine will choose the recipient of […]
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has opened registration for the fifth annual Athene Black and Brown Business Summit and announced Christine Hà as the keynote speaker. Christine Hà is a Vietnamese American chef, writer and TV host. Hà lost her vision due to an autoimmune condition called neuromyelitis optica. She competed and won […]