Rise Energy has been selected for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Embedded Entrepreneur Initiative, securing $340,000 in non-dilutive funding to accelerate the commercialization of its autothermal pyrolysis technology developed at Iowa State University. Autothermal pyrolysis is a novel process that converts underutilized or waste materials into refiner-ready feedstocks,…
Seven Iowa-based small businesses received AI implementation service offers valued at $335,000 after completing the AI Services Challenge held Feb. 16–18 at the BioVentures Center in Coralville. The event was a partnership among Iowa JPEC, the Iowa Small Business Development Center, Amazon Web Services, and PREDICTif Solutions. The awards will…
GFiber, formerly Google Fiber, and Stonepeak announced earlier this month an agreement to merge GFiber with Astound Broadband, forming an independent fiber provider. Stonepeak, an investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets, will be the majority stakeholder in the new company. Google’s parent Alphabet will remain a significant minority…
Entrepreneurs, students and innovators from across Eastern Iowa are invited to a Startup Sprint, a fast-paced entrepreneurial event hosted by NewBoCo on April 10-11 at Coe College’s Center for Health and Society in Cedar Rapids. Startup Sprint is a collaborative, hands-on experience where participants pitch ideas, form teams and spend…
The Iowa Biotechnology Association recognized Brent Shanks, Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering and Jean Steffenson Faculty Chair in Chemical and Biological Engineering at Iowa State University, as the recipient of the 2026 Biotech Leader Award. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership within their organization and…
Ramero Jackson, an Urbandale resident, was unemployed and going through medical issues that precluded him from working. He had sought rental assistance and used a food bank. He was looking for a new opportunity. He linked up with Audrey Kennis, director of human services at the city of West Des…
Midwest venture studio Novy has announced the launch of its new startup Syncra, an AI-native scheduling platform designed specifically for independent emergency medicine groups. Syncra was introduced as Novy’s first portfolio company in August 2025. Since then, the company has established its brand informed by direct input from emergency medicine…
On Feb. 19, the Morningside Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development held the first annual Northwest Iowa Pitch Challenge, with 14 student teams competing for $2,750 in total prize money. A total of 37 students from Morningside University, Dordt University and Buena Vista University competed. The prize money was…
Ag Startup Engine, an early-stage venture firm focused on technologies across the agriculture and food value chain, has closed its third fund, a $7 million seed fund. The fund builds on Ag Startup Engine’s mission of bridging the gap between innovation and real-world agricultural adoption, the firm said in a…
Inside the new Des Moines University Regional Simulation Center, which provides simulation technology and training spaces for the region’s professional and academic health care programs, there is what organizers call a “House of Horrors.” It is a simulated home health care catastrophe. Students are tasked with entering this mock-up of…