After securing $1.5 million in seed-round funding, a startup dedicated to employee retention is now seeking a few more employees to retain. WorkHound, the Des Moines-based startup that gives “undesked” employees a mobile platform to send anonymous feedback to management, seeks to grow from 12 full-time workers in Des Moines and Chattanooga, Tenn., to a […]
Ag Startup Engine at the Iowa State University Research Park has made an investment in Ames-based VetMeasure, Inc., a producer of technology monitoring dogs in post-surgery recovery. VetMeasure’s MeasureON! harness is designed for dogs and detects key health metrics to continuously monitor critical care patients and those recovering from surgery, according to the Ag Startup […]
In his 50th year as a venture capitalist, Pappajohn is still ahead of the pack John Pappajohn has invested in innovation from the very beginning of his career as a venture capitalist, and he prides himself on keeping himself — and his investment network — on the leading edge of technology. Some of his earliest […]
CEO and founder, Denim In 2015, Gregory Bailey – like many entrepreneurs – struck out and launched a startup from his Urbandale home. He had spent more than two decades in the corporate insurance world, including holding executive positions at Athene USA and Pacific Life. Now, his startup, Denim, operates from a bright, airy and […]
Des Moines-based LenderClose, a web-based underwriting and lending assistant platform, has integrated the e-recording platform Simplifile, which functions as an electronic liaison between lenders and country recording offices, LenderClose announced this week. Simplifile claims to have deployed its platform in 50% of all U.S. recording jurisdictions, with a goal to reach the remaining 50% in […]
Adrienne Greenwald, current director of communications and public relations at VentureNet Iowa, will succeed John LaMarche as managing principal effective July 1, VentureNet Iowa announced Wednesday. Greenwald will lead the VentureNet team as it administers the state of Iowa’s Innovative Funding programs for small business. She joined VentureNet in 2012 and has served as the […]
Steve Shriver, co-owner at SOKO Outfitters of Cedar Rapids (right), climbs during a startup pitch session with founders during the 2019 EntreFEST. Photo contributed/Andrew Ravera, NewBoCo One of the most original pitching opportunities open to participants at EntreFEST 2019 was born over pre-event beers. Steve Shriver, co-owner at SOKO Outfitters of Cedar Rapids, and David […]
Five agtech startups have been selected to the 2019 cohort of the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, the accelerator announced this week. The program will run from June 3 to Aug. 30 in the East Village, with final Demonstration Day pitches during the World Food Prize in October. Participants are Otrafy (Vancouver, Canada); droneSAR (Des Moines); Vitalgia (Heerlen, […]
Nurx, a San Francisco-based telemedicine startup offering birth control online, plans to launch in Iowa — after a recent report alleging company practices have put patients at risk through the handling of medication ordered in the app. Nurx (pronounced nur-ex) sells prescription drugs online, including birth control, HIV PrEP, HPV home screenings and emergency contraception […]
San Francisco-based HarvestPort, an early-stage agtech company developing a marketplace platform for farmers and supplies, is opening new offices in Des Moines, the company announced. HarvestPort has also hired Tyler Horbach, founder of agtech startup the FarmElement, as Grower Solutions Manager. Horbach previously founded the FarmElement in Jefferson, Iowa in 2017. HarvestPort was founded in […]