America’s Small Business Development Centers has received $10 million from Google.org that will establish America’s SBDC AI U program, which will provide small businesses with free AI services and training. The program will bring SBDC advisers and university students together to provide local businesses with free AI services and training. America’s SBDC will also receive over […]
Small business incubator receives CAT grant to renovate, expand The Iowa Economic Development Authority board approved Friday innovation funding for five Iowa startups and a Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant, according to a news release. Ames-based robotics company Invasive Removal is developing tools to combat invasive species in forests and prairies. The company was […]
Investor interest in the startup’s recent growth spurred its third funding round, says co-founder Charise Flynn Des Moines-based startup Hummingbirds announced Wednesday it has raised $5.4 million in new venture capital funding for a total of $10 million raised since its first fundraising round last year. Hummingbirds’ platform aims to create authentic word-of-mouth marketing for […]
Plus, meet the fund’s first Iowa portfolio company Wisconsin-based venture capital firm Idea Fund of La Crosse recently made its first investment in an Iowa startup since announcing a new fund in May that would reach more Midwest states. The $31.5 million fund is targeting startups in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin that are pre-revenue or very early-stage […]
The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education has received a $100,000 grant from Google to support STEM programming across Iowa. The grant, which will support Iowa’s STEM programs, was presented during the annual STEM Day at this year’s Iowa State Fair. “Google’s investment in Iowa’s STEM programs is an investment in our […]
5 startups receive more than $1.5 million in loans from SSBCI program The Iowa Economic Development Authority awards funding to startups in the form of low-interest loans through its Innovation Continuum, which includes five funds that are designed to offer companies non-dilutive funding at every stage of business growth. The funds are: Proof of Commercial Relevance […]
The third annual Iowa Angel Investor Summit for active and aspiring angel investors is on Nov. 19 at the Landus Des Moines location. In addition to sessions on covering topics around investing in new startups in exchange for ownership equity, the summit will hold the Best of the Midwest pitch event for the second year. […]
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Iowa’s Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The NTIA allocated over $415 million to fund the buildout of broadband infrastructure to all unserved and underserved locations throughout Iowa. The approval allows Iowa to request access to the funding […]
A few weeks ago, innovationIOWA shared that local investors Tej Dhawan and JD Geneser are launching a new statewide venture capital fund targeting early-stage startups. Last summer, Plains Angels created the Plains Angels Investment Fund, which was designed so members of the angel investor could pool funds together to fund startups and diversify their investment portfolios by investing […]
The fund stems from recent efforts to clarify startup funding needs, says managing partner Two local investors are launching a new statewide venture capital fund designed to bolster Iowa’s early-stage startup funding continuum. Managing Partner Tej Dhawan and General Partner JD Geneser told the Business Record they plan to raise $6 million from Iowa investors […]