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 in existing portfolio companies, and […]
Keehner promoted to principal, will manage new fund Next Level Ventures (NLV) is raising capital for a new fund that will be dedicated to investing in Iowa startups, the Des Moines-based venture capital firm told the Business Record. Next Level Ventures Fund 3 will be NLV’s fifth venture fund and its third focused on Iowa […]
Over 120 participants from Iowa and neighboring states attended the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Iowa Angel Investor Summit at Landus’ downtown location on Tuesday. Now in its third year, the one-day summit was an opportunity for active and aspiring angel investors to come together to help accelerate entrepreneurship in Iowa. Tej Dhawan, managing director and […]
The Iowa Biotechnology Association has announced that the Ag Startup Engine will offer a $25,000 investment to one company that pitches during IowaBio’s 2025 Iowa Biotech Showcase and Conference (IBSC) Showcase Competition. A panel of judges will select a winner of the showcase to receive $10,000, and Ag Startup Engine will choose the recipient of […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]