When Beth Lipman, an artist from Sheboygan Falls, Wis., was researching for her sculpture Hive Mind, she spent time with several faculty members at Iowa State University. “I had no idea how significant of a university it was,” Lipman said. “I really came in knowing very little about Iowa State…
The organizers of the 2026 Global Insurance Symposium (GIS) have announced this year’s agenda and topics. With the theme of “Insurance in an Era of Possibilities,” this year’s symposium celebrates the convergence of global capital, innovation, technology and human-centered strategy that’s reshaping the insurance industry. “We’re witnessing a renaissance in…
The Science Center of Iowa (SCI) is opening its newest traveling exhibit, “Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine,” on Friday, Jan. 16. The interactive exhibit will be on display through April 26, and is included with general admission. The exhibit breaks down complex concepts into hands-on experiences that introduce…
The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will hold the IDEA Camp for sixth- through eighth-grade students on Feb. 16. IDEA Camp guides young innovators through the stages of business creation, from brainstorming ideas to crafting a solid business model. According to a news release, IDEA Camp…
This has been my first year on the innovation and entrepreneurship beat at the Business Record and it’s been a whirlwind. I’ve met startup founders from all over the state, spoken to professors about their inventions and even spent some time on a bison prairie for a series on rural…
Des Moines-based nonprofit Pi515 has announced its next Day of Innovation on April 23, 2026. This all-day experience will bring the community together to spotlight the talent of youth and celebrate the future of work. In its 12th year, participants will gather for workshops, industry conversations, inspiring speakers and student-led…
The World Food Prize Foundation announced the winners of the inaugural Innovate for Impact Challenge on Oct. 22 during the foundation’s annual Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. The three winners are: First place ($50,000): APOLO Biotech, Argentina | RNA technology. APOLO Biotech addresses the challenges of climate change impact on…
The Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit has announced its 18th annual National Summit, schedule for Nov. 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. The event will convene hundreds of attendees representing 50 countries of origin to celebrate and empower the growing community of immigrant entrepreneurs,…
On Oct. 18, the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, Iowa Small Business Development Center, and the Ames Regional Economic Alliance will host the fall Smart Start Workshop at the ISU Research Park Core Facility Atrium in Ames. The workshop is open to existing business owners as well as anyone interested in or…
AgCulture Marketing is hosting She Creates: Rural, a one-day conference for rural women entrepreneurs as well as service providers. The conference is for rural women at every stage of business, whether they are running a Main Street storefront, growing a side hustle, building a service-based enterprise or preparing to take the leap into full-time…
As part of a refresh of the Business Record’s Innovation Iowa brand, we have created a new landing page on the Business Record website to house all Innovation Iowa coverage and more stories from the Business Record covering innovation and technology.
Visit www.businessrecord.com/innovation-iowa to view all Innovation Iowa stories, including the 2026 Innovation Iowa Magazine, out now.
-Sarah Diehn, Business Record Editor