Iowa State University economics professor John Winters, pictured, and graduate student Kunwon Ahn have co-authored a new study that indicates more education increases entrepreneurship in the U.S., particularly for women. “The benefits of education are often debated. Some worry it’s mostly about signaling rather than skill development, but our study provides a piece of evidence that […]

Tech takeaway: The Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator, a program of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, launched in June to help diverse small businesses owners scale their businesses, and the first cohort of business owners completed the program on Tuesday. The origin of the program is a report done in partnership with Bâton Global assessing […]

The Greater Des Moines Partnership and local digital news publication Clay & Milk have announced the launch of the Iowa Innovation Dashboard, a tool created to measure entrepreneurial activity across Iowa. The dashboard shows measurements of business density, survival rate, research, investment capital and demographics regarding entrepreneurship in Iowa, according to a news release. Locally, […]

The University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) has joined with Iowa’s West Coast Initiative in northwest Iowa to strengthen and extend the reach of its Venture Mentoring Service program. According to a news release, Iowa JPEC is reaching out to serve previously underserved areas of Iowa, including Plymouth, Monona and Woodbury counties, which work together […]

A conversation with two immigrant business owners From the first Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit held in 2008 on Drake University’s campus to this year’s event marking 15 years of the volunteer-run event, the organization has widened its reach to a growing immigrant business community. Leaders have grown the summit to unite more immigrant entrepreneurs primarily from […]

Deere & Co. is entering a partnership as a limited investor in Advantage Capital’s Empower the Change growth fund, which provides entrepreneurs of color access to capital in order to grow their businesses and create community wealth. Advantage Capital is a New Orleans-based investment firm providing financing to established and emerging companies located in communities underserved by conventional […]

Iowa State University and the University of Iowa were ranked in the top 50 undergraduate schools for entrepreneurship studies by the Princeton Review’s 2023 annual survey. ISU ranked 11th for the third year in a row, according to a news release, and the University of Iowa was ranked No. 22. Among programs in the Midwest, ISU ranked […]

To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week taking place from Nov. 14-20, the Greater Des Moines Partnership will host several entrepreneurship-focused events. “Small business owners and entrepreneurs drive innovation and build companies that create vibrancy in our community. Entrepreneurship happens here every day as entrepreneurs continuously bet on themselves and take the risk to start and grow their businesses,” […]

Registration is open for the 15th annual National Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit, scheduled for Nov. 19 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. The deadline to apply for the Business Pitch Competition is Friday. Sessions will cover planning for the future, marketing and capital resources. The National IES Awards Ceremony will also be held during the […]

The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced Wednesday a $96 million investment to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in Iowa. The U.S. Treasury Department approved the funding to Iowa Tuesday through its State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The American Rescue Plan Act reauthorized and expanded the SSBCI, providing nearly $10 billion to increase access to capital and promote entrepreneurship, […]