From left: Founder and CEO Adam Hass, Head of Business Development Rob Hugen, Head of Marketing Michael Dunn. Photo provided. Des Moines software analytics startup AppLink.io is launching a new web and mobile application platform to offer app developers and marketers full-view insights into the app’s performance and engagement. Based in Johnston, AppLink.io’s App Growth Platform will bring tools for developers and marketers into one toolbox, founder and CEO Adam Hass said. “If you
Entrepreneurship & Startups
October 9, 2018
Dwolla announces Sandy Kemper as new member to Board of Directors
Sandy Kemper has joined the Dwolla Board of Directors, the company announced in a blog post on Monday. Kemper, of Kansas City, currently leads the fintech company C2FO; was the founder and former CEO at Perfect Commerce; and former chairman and CEO of UMB Bank.
October 4, 2018
Global Insurance Accelerator wins international award
The Greater Des Moines Partnership received a Silver Excellence in Economic Development Award for the Global Insurance Accelerator in the category of Multi Year Economic Development from the International Economic Development Council on Tuesday in Atlanta, Ga. The Global Insurance Accelerator is a mentor-driven business accelerator designed to foster innovation by supporting startups. Four classes with a combined 26 companies have completed the 100-day program.
September 27, 2018
Angel Capital Association funds nine Midwest startups at Des Moines conference
The Angel Capital Association has announced investment in nine regional startups who recently presented in Des Moines at the annual Best of Midwest Conference, hosted by local investment group Plains Angels. Hosted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and BrownWinick Law Firm, the event hosted 140 attendees, including 90 accredited investors. Des Moines companies Pitchly and MakuSafe will receive an equal investment along with Alchemie, FourStarzz Media, Metametrix, Recoup, Sense
September 26, 2018
Global Insurance Accelerator seeks new managing director
Brian Hemesath, managing director at the Global Insurance Accelerator Four years after its launch, the Global Insurance Accelerator is kicking off a search for the program’s second managing director after Brian Hemesath announced plans to step down in 2019. Hemesath has committed to stay with the GIA through the 2019 cohort as a new managing director is trained, and will remain part time as an entrepreneur-in-residence to continue managing relationships
September 24, 2018
Dwolla’s new HQ will host a community meeting room, free of charge
A new home and anticipated hiring of 75 additional team members are in the near future for Dwolla, a Des Moines money-transfer startup that is starting to grow beyond the initial startup-phase. In Monday’s blog post, founder Ben Milne wrote that Dwolla’s new 22,000-square-foot office at 909 Locust will include a community meeting room to accommodate nearly 100 individuals, to be available free of charge for community-focused classes and meetups.
September 20, 2018
Digitization of banks disproportionately hurts women entrepreneurs, study finds
We think we know what’s at stake when banks prioritize digitization over maintaining local bank branches, but there may be more to it than previously thought. A study recently published by the Harvard Business Review found that when fewer local bank branches are available to support entrepreneurial financing, women entrepreneurs are disproportionately penalized. IN OTHER NEWS: What it will take to launch public sector accelerators (CLAY & MILK); what a
September 20, 2018
IowaBio, TAI team up for candidate forums in governor’s race
Members of the Technology Association of Iowa and the Iowa Biotechnology Association have two chances to hear candidates for Iowa’s governor office speak on issues around the state’s technology and bioscience industries. TAI and IowaBio will host both forums – one with Fred Hubbell on Sept. 21, and one with Gov. Kim Reynolds on Oct. 3 – in Cedar Rapids from 10-11 a.m., at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.
September 14, 2018
Coworking space in Cedar Rapids to offer health insurance along with workspace
A new office rental and coworking space in Cedar Rapids is offering group health insurance plans and other benefit programs to clients starting in October, reports the Corridor Business Journal. Office Evolution, which opened this spring in the NewBo district, plans to offer Affordable Care Act-compliant group health insurance plans through human resources consultancy TriNet. TriNet is able to offer competitive group rates because it has buying power of a
September 14, 2018
Wells Fargo incubator expands to sustainable agriculture technologies
First launched in 2014, the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) is now partnering with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to promote sustainable agriculture technologies, Wells Fargo announced on Tuesday. The expansion will support technology developing and commercializing technology that reduce agriculture’s carbon, energy and water impact, said Mary Wenzel, head of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility at Wells Fargo. IN2 is funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and administered by
