The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) has released a mobile application to help retailers determine the age of customers attempting to purchase alcohol, tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products, the division announced this week. The Iowa ABD Age to Purchase App allows users to scan driver’s licenses with their smartphone. No personal information of the […]

In 2013, the Business Record launched innovationIOWA Magazine, an annual publication with a mission to spotlight innovative companies and technological achievements across the state. One year ago this week, our newsroom launched the innovationIOWA e-newsletter, updating our delivery from annually to weekly – right to your inbox. The mission remains the same: we seek out […]

Global Atlantic Financial Group announced a $100,000 investment in the Global Insurance Accelerator, a Des Moines-based 100 day program aiding up to ten insurtech startups in financing and industry connections. The investment joins Global Atlantic with the GIA’s 12 other existing private company investors, which support the accelerator’s mentor networks and business infrastructure assistance. GIA […]

Ames entrepreneur Steven Brockshus is the 2019 American Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year, the Iowa Farm Bureau announced on Monday. It is the fourth time in five years that an Iowa-based company has won the Farm Bureau’s Ag Innovation Challenge. As one of the final four contestants, Brockshus presented a live pitch on Sunday […]

Meredith Corporation, a Des Moines-based lifestyle and entertainment media company, is launching the Meredith Innovation Group during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, Meredith announced on Monday. The division launch also includes new business units Meredith Product Studio (for consumer product development), the Meredith Voice Network (to place advertisers with voice-based social […]

dsmHack is now accepting nonprofit applications through Jan. 31 for the 2019 Des Moines Charity Hack, scheduled for Feb. 21-23 at the Des Moines Social Club. The hackathon brings selected nonprofits to pitch project needs in front of tech industry attendees. Participants self-select projects for a 48-hour coding rush – past projects have benefited the […]

PatientPing, a Boston-based health technology company that connects providers to coordinate patient care, today announced its launch in Iowa through a partnership with Mercy Health Network and its accountable care organization, Mercy ACO. Through Pings – real-time notifications when patients receive care – and Stories – important patient context at the point of care — […]

Cedar Rapids-based Involta LLC is acquiring IT|Lynk, an IT managed services firm based in Independence, Ohio, reports the Corridor Business Journal. The deal is Involta’s second acquisition and increases the company’s Ohio footprint to four data centers and offices statewide. Involta reports it will retain all 18 IT|Lynk employees, growing Involta to 250 employees nationally.

The Technology Association of Iowa is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Prometheus Awards, scheduled for April 11 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, TAI announced on Wednesday. Since its debut in 2004, the Prometheus Awards recognize Iowa leaders in the state’s $11 billion technology industry, which employs more than […]