The Business Record began releasing results from the 2021 Leader’s Survey in the Nov. 26 print edition. Our annual survey asks business leaders to share what they feel are some of the top issues affecting business in Central Iowa, and in particular the Greater Des Moines region. The following is a selection of responses from leaders who […]
The Technology Association of Iowa released Wednesday the following legislative priorities for 2022: Connectivity: Facilitate high-performance internet connectivity using the best available technologies for all Iowans. Education access: Support programs, such as Future Ready Iowa, that connect Iowans to the training and education required for good-paying jobs and careers to improve people’s lives. IEDA funding: […]
President Joe Biden will soon have a team to advise him on artificial intelligence issues with the announcement of the National AI Advisory Committee on Sept. 8 by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. At least nine members will sit on the committee — Raimondo will select the chair and vice chair with the National Institute of […]
Thirty-nine grants totaling $97.5 million have been awarded under the state’s Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grants Program, which was created this year by the Iowa Legislature to expand high-speed internet statewide. According to a news release from the governor’s office, 178 applications were received from broadband providers requesting nearly $300 million. In the release issued Tuesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds said expanding broadband statewide […]
Chief executives of companies in insurance, finance and big tech pledged to commit billions of dollars and resources in a public-private partnership at a White House meeting convened to address the emerging national security threat of cyberattacks, BestWire reported. Top executives of tech and finance companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google and JP Morgan Chase made big-dollar […]
Facebook announced that U.S. employees will not return to the office until at least January 2022 due to concerns about the coronavirus delta variant. “Data, not dates, is what drives our approach for returning to the office,” Facebook said in a statement. The social media company is the latest among tech giants to delay returning […]
The Securities and Exchange Commission green-lighted Nasdaq’s plan Friday to increase diversity among the members of its companies’ boards. Under the proposal, Nasdaq-listed companies need to meet ethnic and gender diversity targets and disclose the makeup of their boards, but it is not a full mandate. Companies can choose not to meet the diversity targets […]
Payment fintech Dwolla secured a $21 million venture round led by Foundry Group, Dwolla announced Wednesday. Additional investors include Park West Asset Management LLC, Union Square Ventures, Detroit Venture Partners, Firebrand Ventures and Next Level Ventures. Traeger CEO Jeremy Andrus joined as an individual investor. Global digital payment transactions in 2020 were valued at $5.4 […]
Applications for the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Venture Competition are now open. The statewide competition will award $100,000 in cash prizes, including a first place award of $40,000. Iowa businesses that have been in operation for four years or less, or are not yet cash flow positive are eligible to apply. Participants will be judged on […]
Next Level Ventures and credit union partners of Members Development Co. have launched a new collaborative venture capital fund for the development of financial services technology in the credit union industry. NLV will structure and manage the investments from the Curql Fund (pronounced “circle”) in fintech companies. Curql — spelled that way to highlight the C and […]