Lola’s CEO says retailers’ programs are coming into the ‘limelight’ For small businesses seeking growth for their consumer packaged goods brands, getting their products into grocery stores can be a challenge when a few conglomerate brands supply most of a store’s inventory. It’s a challenge Taufeek Shah, founder and CEO of Lola’s Fine Sauces, is […]

Home Base Iowa, America’s Small Business Development Center Iowa, and the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship at Iowa State University have announced the Iowa Veterans Entrepreneurship Conference. The conference is open to veterans, military personnel, their families and business partners, and community members who support veteran entrepreneurs and business owners. In addition to keynote speakers and […]

The University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center will host Robert Pasin, chief wagon officer at Radio Flyer, during its Virtual Breakfast Series event on May 19. Pasin will speak about balancing the legacy of the business and the spirit of entrepreneurship that emerging leaders are experiencing. “One of the most powerful attributes of a […]

Four business ideas shared $5,000 in prize money at the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Venture School Spring Pitch Competition on April 11. Paul Altvater of Level Up Bouldering won $2,400, for his idea of a combined rock-climbing, weight lifting and yoga studio. Alan Murdock took second place and an award of $1,200 […]

The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and the college’s Small Business Development Center are hosting a Business Transition Planning Workshop on Thursday, April 20. The event is designed for attorneys, banking associates, brokers, CPAs, business owners and community leaders and economic developers to attend. Christopher Proskey and James McCarthy of BrownWinick […]

The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has announced seven finalists for the 2023 pitch competition presented by Bank of America at the third annual Athene Black & Brown Business Summit. The finalists were selected out of 47 applicants from across the U.S. including Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Pennsylvania and several from […]

Applications are open now through May 15 for the 18th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. Iowa businesses in any industry that have been in operation for four years or less, or are not yet cash-flow positive, are eligible to apply. The competition will award $100,000 in cash prizes to Iowa startups and entrepreneurial […]

The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has announced several keynotes for the third annual Athene Black and Brown Business Summit presented by Wells Fargo. Wealth strategist Pamela Jolly will be the keynote speaker. Jolly also gave the keynote address at the 2022 event. Additional national speakers include real estate expert Shawn Goldstein, finance leader and triathlete […]

Plus, two founders share how the startup studio supported them The renovated Maple Studios space on the campus of factory automation equipment distributor Ramco Innovations is now open. It’s designed to support early-stage industrial technology companies and founders during their startup to growth stages. Since 2018, Maple Studios, formerly Maple Ventures, has filled gaps for industrial […]

Applications are open now through May 7 for the second Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator program offered by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Participants complete the Streetwise MBA (minority business accelerator) curriculum from Interise to gain access to knowledge, management know-how and networks needed to increase revenue, create jobs and have a positive impact on […]