Plus, meet the startups pitching in Best of the Midwest showcase Supporting active and aspiring Iowa angel investors and continuing to build the state’s connections and presence with risk capital stakeholders across the Midwest is the goal behind the second annual Iowa Angel Investors Summit, a one-day event scheduled for Nov. 14 in Des Moines. The […]
InnoVenture Iowa has announced the 10 semi-finalists for the InnoVenture Challenge, a $100,000 pitch competition hosted by InnoVenture Iowa and BioConnect Iowa. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 15 ahead of the event on Dec. 6, where each company will give a live pitch to a panel of judges and be considered for the […]
The Greater Des Moines Partnership, Plains Angels and the Ag Startup Engine are partnering to hold the second Iowa Angel Investor Summit in Des Moines on Nov. 14. The one-day summit is for active and aspiring angel investors to come together to help accelerate entrepreneurs. Sessions will include discussions of how to become an angel […]
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 […]