Iowa AgriTech Accelerator leaves behind strengthened industry ecosystem at program closure, director says

For the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, 2020 was a program success, executive director Nadilia Gomez said this week.  In January, the accelerator received “unprecedented numbers” of applications for the 2020 cohort. At the onset of a global pandemic in the spring, IATA transferred the entire program virtually for the four participating…

Continue reading

Iowa AgriTech Accelerator announces four startups in 2020 cohort

The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator announced four startups located in Ames and India as members of the accelerator’s 2020 cohort. The 100-day program is headquartered in Des Moines and typically hosts founders in the East Village, starting with a networking event to introduce founders and community members; this year’s program launched…

Continue reading

Iowa AgriTech Accelerator extends program application deadline to May 1

The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator is extending the deadline for applications to its annual AgTech Startup Program from March 31 to May 1, the accelerator announced this week. The board also announced a new member, Grant Kimberly, who serves as the senior director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association…

Continue reading

Iowa AgriTech Accelerator extends program application deadline to May 1

The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator is extending the deadline for applications to its annual AgTech Startup Program from March 31 to May 1, the accelerator announced this week. The board also announced a new member, Grant Kimberly, who serves as the senior director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association…

Continue reading

New investor joins Iowa AgriTech Accelerator board of directors

Jim Towey, president of Onset, will join the board of directors of the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, the organization announced this week. Towey most recently served as a mentor for the accelerator, helping past participants develop their business ideas and build their storytelling skills to gain support for innovations. Based in…

Continue reading

Iowa AgriTech Accelerator opens for applications for agtech startups Monday

The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator opens its application process on Monday to global agtech startups for the 2020 cohort. The accelerator, which hosts office space in the East Village, selects up to six global ag startups to spend 100 days of networking and mentoring in Des Moines. Applications will be closed…

Continue reading

October marks announcements of three major accelerators coming to Central Iowa

Kerty Levy (standing), newly named managing director of Techstars Iowa, at Tuesday’s launch announcement with Jainen Thayer, chief investment officer for Grinnell College, and Claudia Reuter, managing director of the Stanley + Techstars Additive Manufacturing Accelerator. Photo provided Tuesday was a good day for Mike Colwell in Des Moines. It…

Continue reading

Iowa AgriTech Accelerator to host Demo Day during World Food Prize

The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator will host its third Demonstration Day at the Des Moines Embassy Club Oct. 15 in conjunction with the World Food Prize and 2019 Borlaug Dialogue and International Symposium. Doors open at 5 p.m. and presentations will begin at 5:30 p.m. More than 120 volunteer mentors worked…

Continue reading

Iowa AgriTech Accelerator announces new executive director

Nadilia Gomez will join the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator as executive director beginning on Aug. 1, the accelerator announced. Gomez joins the accelerator from  Corteva Agriscience, where she served as a senior research scientist in Predictive Ag, and a digital pillar leader of the Disruptive Business Innovation Portfolio. At Corteva, Gomez…

Continue reading