Iowa Center for Economic Success shares the big impact of small loans Microloans meet entrepreneurs where they are. Defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a loan of $50,000 or less, a microloan is one of few avenues open to new small businesses in Iowa, particularly in low-income areas,…
By Lindsey Giardino A lot of innovation happens within the walls of Corteva. A lot happens outside, too. To tap into these external advancements, the organization launched Corteva Catalyst — an investment and partnership platform designed to bring to market agricultural innovations that align with Corteva’s research and development priorities…
Established in 2021, the city of Des Moines’ Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization program has awarded $1.5 million in matching funds to support mid- and large-scale renovations of more than two dozen buildings in key neighborhood corridors across Des Moines. The program has extended the life of buildings in neighborhoods like the…
Nicholas Bushelle, associate and corporate and venture tech attorney, Dentons Davis Brown: Moving corporate domiciles out of Delaware: For over 100 years, Delaware has been the predominant state of formation for U.S. business entities due to its well-developed corporate case law and specialized judicial bench. That may be changing, as Delaware…
The Greater Dallas County Development Alliance announced the launch of its small business grant fund, a new initiative focused on supporting local entrepreneurship and small business to stimulate economic growth. With an annual funding pool of $10,000, the grant aims to provide financial support to small businesses. Small businesses operating…
Iowa founders should ‘dream bigger’ Kaylee Williams, investment director at InnoVenture Iowa, Iowa’s first publicly backed venture capital fund, recently shared this advice for startup founders: “I would just say, dream bigger,” said Williams during a panel event at Maple Studios on April 2. “Seriously, my biggest critique of Iowa…
Ag-tech fund raising new $10 million fund to provide scaling capital Ag Startup Engine, a fund for ag-tech startups, made six investments in new companies in 2024, bringing the fund’s total portfolio companies to 40, according to its latest annual report. The report also shows Ag Startup Engine made three investments…
Des Moines venture capital firm Next Level Ventures announced it has raised more than $15 million so far for Next Level Ventures Fund 3 and completed its first investment from the fund. The fund is NLV’s third Iowa-focused investment fund and fifth overall. The fund’s first investment is in Ames-based…
UI biomanufacturing center awarded a $1 million grant to expand infrastructure Two startups in Des Moines and Coralville were approved for loans at the Iowa Economy Development Authority board’s meeting on Jan. 17, and a University of Iowa biomanufacturing center was awarded a grant of just over $1 million. Coralville-based Reality…
The Iowa Economic Development Authority is awarding Rural Innovation Grants, totaling more than $275,000, to 20 Iowa small businesses. The grant program, part of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Empower Rural Iowa initiative, supports nontraditional ideas that address critical issues faced by communities that have both fewer than 20,000 people and are…