The Technology Association of Iowa has announced its 2026 state and federal principles and policy priorities ahead of the upcoming Iowa legislative session. Developed in partnership with TAI’s Public Policy Committee, these priorities will guide the association’s policy efforts in the year ahead. “We are excited to advance policies that…
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has opened registration for the sixth annual Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit, presented by Chase Bank. The 2026 event will feature Coach Ken Carter and Reggie Love as the keynote speakers. Carter is a businessman, author and high school basketball coach best known…
The Iowa Rural Development Council has selected five projects for small business development grants, ranging from an Eastern Iowa community of 1,100 to a Northwest Iowa three-county region. In its second cohort, the Rural Business Initiative will provide grants of at least $30,000 to the recipients, who can use the…
The Des Moines City Council recently reauthorized the Small Business Impact Loan Program, which aims to help local entrepreneurs start, grow and strengthen their businesses. Launched last year, the program is designed to fill a financing gap for small business owners who may not qualify for traditional bank loans but…
Dream City, an Iowa City-based nonprofit that offers leadership programs and opportunities for youths, families and entrepreneurs, started as a response to young boys who were growing up without fathers and needed a safe space. Frederick Newell, executive director of Dream City in Iowa City, had his first child at…
The Technology Association of Iowa recently hosted its latest TechBrew event at West End Salvage with guest Iowa Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer. The event was moderated by Tyler Wyngarden, vice president of strategic partnerships. Cournoyer has experience in the technology sector and artificial intelligence, according to her bio. She worked…
Futurist Mike Bechtel visited Des Moines Tuesday to speak at an event hosted by Holmes Murphy and Bankers Trust Co. Bechtel recently left his role as chief futurist for the business consulting firm Deloitte. He held it since 2019. At Deloitte, he and his team worked to make sense of…
The Iowa Center has expanded its small business class offerings with the release of “Elevate,” a five-class series designed for existing small businesses that are ready for the next step in their growth. The new class series will provide content around the essential strategies necessary for sustainable growth for small businesses. The…
America’s Iowa Small Business Development Center has announced that Mark Thalken is the new regional director for the Iowa Western SBDC at Iowa Western Community College, located in Council Bluffs. Thalken will advise and train entrepreneurs and existing business owners in Pottawattamie, Shelby, Harrison, Page, Mills, Cass and Fremont counties. Thalken started his new…
The Iowa Biotechnology Association, or IowaBio, is now accepting proposals from potential speakers for the 2026 the Iowa Biotech Showcase and Conference. The conference is scheduled for March 3-4, 2026, at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. This year’s theme, “Adaptation to Change,” invites professionals from industry, government and academia to share success…