The Great Outdoors Foundation has announced the launch of the Happy Disruptors Podcast, which will feature guests from a variety of sectors who take an unconventional approach within their industry. The podcast aims to explore the power of innovative thinking and explore novel approaches to conventional challenges. “We created the Happy Disruptors for people who challenge the status quo with purpose and positivity,” Hannah Inman, CEO of the Great Outdoors Foundation, said
Culture & Events
July 3, 2025
2025 TAI Prometheus Awards nominations now open
The Technology Association of Iowa is now accepting nominations for the Prometheus Awards, which celebrate the best in Iowa tech. The nomination period is open through Aug. 7 and finalists are announced mid-September. The Prometheus Awards will be held Nov. 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. in Des Moines. Categories include company awards such as Startup Technology Company of the Year and AI Breakthrough of the Year, and individual awards, including CIO/CTO
June 5, 2025
Emily Steele, Great Outdoors Foundation named 2025 innovationIOWA award winners
The Business Record today announces its 2025 innovationIOWA Award recipients. The Great Outdoors Foundation, a nonprofit aiming to advance conservation through innovation, collaboration and stewardship, is the Lean TECHniques innovationLEADER of the Year. The innovationENTREPRENEUR of the Year is Emily Steele, CEO and co-founder of the venture-backed marketing platform Hummingbirds. CEO Hannah Inman leads the Great Outdoors Foundation, including its Conservation Acceleration Fund. The fund is designed to maximize investments in water quality
June 5, 2025
Wyffels Hybrids announces collaboration with ISU Extension for event series
Wyffels Hybrids, an Ames-based seed company focused on corn, has announced a new collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on a four-part event series titled “Between the Rows – In Field Edition.” Hosted at Wyffels’ newly opened production facility in Ames, the event series aims to bring agricultural insights directly to farmers through hands-on experience and observation from industry experts. Sessions will cover a range of topics, from crop and pest
June 5, 2025
NewBoCo opens applications for computer science professional development week
Iowa educators can now apply for NewBoCo’s Computer Science Professional Development Week, set for July 14-18 at Iowa State University. There will be one-day and multi-day workshops tailored to different levels of experience for educators to choose from. Registration also includes $150 daily stipend for each day of participation, access to follow-up or additional professional development opportunities throughout the school year and a one-year paid membership to the Computer Science Teachers Association (applied
May 29, 2025
Center at Sixth incubator seeks to bring small business back to Sixth Avenue corridor
Marquas Ashworth is an entrepreneur who wants to help other entrepreneurs. Ashworth, founder and owner of Ziad Rye whiskey, is also a musician and the co-developer of a building designed to empower other entrepreneurs. “How can I make it easier for the next person behind me?” Ashworth said standing in the new development Center at Sixth. “That was the point of this, to be like a Swiss army knife for entrepreneurs,
May 29, 2025
EntreFest coming to Cedar Rapids in June
Roughly 350 people are expected to attend EntreFest, an annual innovation and entrepreneurship conference in Cedar Rapids in June, organizers said. Produced by NewBoCo, a Cedar Rapids nonprofit offering programming that supports entrepreneurship, innovation and tech education, EntreFest aims to bring people together and expose them to cutting-edge information, organizers said. The event will be held June 12-13 in the NewBoCo neighborhood. “EntreFest is probably one of the things I look forward
May 29, 2025
Iowa Lean Consortium calls for presentations at annual conference
The Iowa Lean Consortium is inviting presenters to submit proposals for breakout presentations at its 2025 Annual Conference on Oct. 23 in Altoona. Each year, the ILC Conference attracts hundreds of continuous improvement practitioners, leaders, change agents and their teams from all sectors of the economy, the announcement said. The ILC seeks breakout presentations that align with the principles of Lean: continuous improvement, change management and/or enterprise transformation. Priority will be given to proposals
May 22, 2025
NIACC JPEC to host IDEA camp for middle school students
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will hold its IDEA Camp program for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students this summer at locations in Mason City, Charles City and Forest City. IDEA Camp helps students practice innovation, discovery, entrepreneurship and achievement. The hands-on program guides youths through the essential stages of business creation, from brainstorming ideas to crafting a solid business model. The program is held from 8:30 a.m. to
May 22, 2025
University of Northern Iowa unveils speaker lineup for TEDx event
The University of Northern Iowa has announced its speaker lineup for its upcoming TEDx event themed “Creating Tomorrow.” Scheduled for Oct. 25 at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, the event aims to “challenge perspectives and explore new possibilities,” a news release said. The gathering will also feature music performances and networking opportunities. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share TED-like experiences, which are devoted
