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, […]
In partnership with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments, the Rural Ideas Network has been awarded a $412,105 grant from the Economic Development Administration to expand its efforts to support rural entrepreneurs across Iowa. The Rural Ideas Network has piloted two services to support entrepreneurs in rural communities since 2020: a coworking accelerator program and a virtual […]
Des Moines-based specialty beverage company BLK & Bold announced it is holding its first community-centered event on Oct. 1 to celebrate National Coffee Day and International Coffee Day. In partnership with Minneapolis-based Mill City Roasters, the “BLK & Bold Coffee Celebration” will be open to the public and include a roastery tour, food trucks and music. Five percent of […]
Business owners name access to resources, connections as challenges The Business Record partnered with Hola Iowa on Tuesday to host a virtual panel discussion focused on Latino entrepreneurship as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which began on Sept. 15. There are more than 1,500 Latino-owned businesses in the Des Moines metro area generating $160 million […]
A look into the effort to create a vision, plan for entrepreneurship’s future in the region Entrepreneurial ecosystem, innovation ecosystem — terms like these are embedded in everyday conversations happening within the business and technology communities. They help in referring to the broader environment and everything that comes together to fuel entrepreneurship and innovation, but a […]
Nine Iowa startups received a total of $100,000 as winners of the 2022 Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition, which were named on Aug. 12. Continuum Ag received the $40,000 first place award, Farm Story Meats received $25,000 for second place and DenScore received $15,000 for third place. Honorable mention awards of $5,000 or $2,000 went to six more startups: ReEnvision Ag, Juggernaut, Janas Materials, Hummingbirds, Farmers Risk and Easy2Show. […]
Entering its third year of the program, Techstars Iowa has announced the members of its 2022 class, which started in Des Moines Monday. Daniel Pfeil is joining Techstars Iowa this year as an investment associate to help founders collaborate with investors, according to a news release. Partners Grinnell University, the University of Iowa and Iowa […]
Ag Startup Engine has announced a new initial investment in Le Clair, Iowa-based Haggle, an online marketplace where farmers can lend equipment and services they aren’t using to other farmers. “Haggle makes it easy for farmers to earn a passive income with idle equipment,” founder and CEO Nathan Greuel said. “We look to improve agriculture […]
The Arkansas-based “think and do” tank Heartland Forward announced it has received a Rebuilding Better grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to support entrepreneurship in the heartland region. According to a news release, Heartland Forward will use the grant to develop resources for mayors and community leaders in midsized cities to understand how to […]