InnoVenture Iowa’s second-quarter update included the announcement of four new portfolio companies. The $30 million fund now has 12 portfolio companies. The four new companies are: The update also shared that applications for the second annual InnoVenture Challenge, a $100,000 pitch competition, will open Friday. Investment Director Kaylee Williams said in the update that InnoVenture Iowa will be […]
A look at the journey of Iowa’s startup funding ecosystem By the nature of startups, finding funding will always be challenging, especially during companies’ early days. Iowa has seen significant expansion of resources to capitalize startups in the last 10 years, leaders say, but refining pathways to funding must remain a top priority in order […]
Submitted by Donna Harris and Katie Milligan Three in five people have an idea – whether that be for the next technology company, consumer product or social enterprise. Why, then, do the vast majority of people never pursue their idea, and of those that do, a fraction get venture capital funding? In 2022, only 7,261 […]
Investors are a funding source that business owners may consider at various stages of their company’s life span, from the first days to the last. But not all investing is alike and companies are suited to different types of investment firms, based on their product or service, needs as a company, industry and other factors. […]
By Hailey Ann For the last two years, ReShonda Young has been in the process of opening the first Black-owned bank in Iowa. Young had opened her own businesses before — she founded and franchised the successful gourmet popcorn chain Popcorn Heaven in 2014 and ran her biological father’s business for nine years — but […]