Grinnell College announced that it will eliminate student loans in students’ financial aid packages as part of a “no-loan initiative” endorsed by the college’s board of trustees. In a press release, the college said the change is a response to the financial hardship that many families are experiencing because of the pandemic. The initiative will begin […]
Des Moines-based BrokerTech Ventures and founding company Holmes Murphy closed a co-leading funding effort to raise $4 million in capital for Highwing, a Denver-based insurtech company focused on changing data processing and management for brokers and carriers. Commercial insurance is expected to reach $900 billion by 2021. Highwing intends to use the $4 million in […]
Applications are open to broker-focused startups for the Des Moines-based BrokerTech Ventures Accelerator’s 2021 program, the accelerator announced Oct. 29. The accelerator offers more than $500,000 in seed funding, up to $50,000 each to accepted startups. Submission deadlines for BrokerTech Ventures Accelerator is Nov. 30; selected startups will be notified in early February 2020. The […]
Iowa Workforce Development amended the Coronavirus Relief Fund Earn and Learn Grant released on Oct. 19 to expand applicant eligibility, IWD announced this week. High schools and previous recipients of the Coronavirus Relief Fund Employer Innovation Grant and Registered Apprenticeship Incentive Grant may receive additional funds of up to $250,000 through the Earn and Learn Grant. […]
Mike Upah has been named the director of Ames Seed Capital, an organization that provides seed funding for startup companies in the Story County area. According to a news release from the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission, Upah began his new duties last month. He will oversee and manage all Ames Seed […]
Applications are open for two Microsoft Community Empowerment Funds targeting Des Moines organizations and nonprofits serving Central Iowa. The two funds will target three priority sectors: digital literacy and participation, environmental sustainability and skill-building, and workforce development in digital and trade skills. Microsoft is offering up to $10,000 in grants for Community Small Projects, and […]
Roboflow staff on the startup’s house porch. From left, back row: machine learning engineer Jacob Solawetz and co-founder/CTO Brad Dwyer. Middle: software development intern Jim Su, co-founder/CEO Joseph Nelson and sales development representative Amelia Tuel. Front: chief barketing officer Kelo and UX designer Amanda Morrow. Photo provided On Aug. 25, Joseph Nelson had one minute […]
The East Polk Innovation Collaborative, Facebook and other local partners have established the East Polk County Relief Fund for local COVID-19 relief, supported by an initial $350,000 contribution by Facebook, the company announced this week. The fund will designate $250,000 for small business support and $100,000 for nonprofit and individual assistance. Small businesses and nonprofits […]
The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved innovation funding in support of five startups located in Ellsworth, Iowa City, Marion, Des Moines and Roland. Eagle’s Catch, an aquaculture company constructing an indoor fish farm to produce sustainable tilapia, was awarded a $100,000 Demonstration Fund loan to purchase equipment. Apollo Technologies is an online hiring platform matching […]
Des Moines-based venture capital firm Next Level Ventures announced Dave Tucker has joined as a senior adviser to the firm. Tucker served as the senior vice president of technology at Workiva and previously sat as board chair for the Technology Association of Iowa’s board of directors in 2017. Tucker intends to continue consulting for Workiva […]