State OKs local property tax exemption for Meta subsidiary’s $800 million Davenport data center plan

IEDA also approves five awards to startups A Meta subsidiary’s plan for an $800 million data center project in Davenport will receive a $161 million local property tax exemption through the state’s High Quality Jobs program. The Iowa Economic Development Authority board voted Friday to approve the tax exemption request…

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Funding recap: IEDA awards $1.6 million to startups in first quarter of 2024

The Iowa Economic Development Authority awards funding to startups in the form of low-interest loans through its Innovation Continuum, which includes five funds that are designed to offer companies nondilutive funding at every stage of business growth. The funds are: Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR), Demonstration Fund and the Innovation Acceleration…

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Applications open for 2024 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition

The 2024 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition application portal is now open. The 19th annual statewide competition will award $100,000 in cash prizes to early-stage Iowa startups and entrepreneurial ventures that intend to scale operations in Iowa. The $100,000 in seed funding includes a $50,000 contribution from the late John…

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Funding recap: IEDA awards tax benefits, $350K in Innovation Continuum loans in Q4

The Iowa Economic Development Authority awards funding to startups in the form of low-interest loans through its Innovation Continuum, which includes five funds that are designed to offer companies non-dilutive funding at every stage of business growth. The funds are: Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR), Demonstration Fund and the Innovation Acceleration Fund,…

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Funding recap: IEDA awards $2.7M to 10 Iowa startups in Q3

The Iowa Economic Development Authority awards funding to startups in the form of low-interest loans through its Innovation Continuum, which includes five funds that are designed to offer companies non-dilutive funding at every stage of business growth. The funds are: Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR), Demonstration Fund and the Innovation Acceleration Fund,…

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Funding recap: IEDA awards $4.3M to startups, service providers in Q2

Tech takeaway Each quarter, the innovationIOWA newsletter will share a funding recap of the startup companies that received funding from the Iowa Economic Development Authority and a recap of the companies raising money according to Form D filings through the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If there is other startup…

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Two rural entrepreneurship initiatives receive IEDA grants

The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board approved grants Friday to two initiatives supporting rural entrepreneurs through the Entrepreneurial Investment Award program. The program provides financial assistance to service providers that offer technical and financial assistance to entrepreneurs and startup companies. Hub712, coordinated by Carroll County Growth Partnership, was awarded a…

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IEDA approves innovation funding to three Iowa startups

The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced Monday innovation funding for three startups through Iowa’s State Small Business Credit Initiative. The Innovation Fund was created as part of the initiative to offer additional funding opportunities to assist entrepreneurs through concept, launch and expansion. Nebullam Inc., based in Ames, received a $250,000…

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How can $96 million affect innovation, access to funding in Iowa?

2023 will bring Iowa’s innovation stakeholders some of the first opportunities to see the infusion of $96 million from the U.S. Treasury Department’s State Small Business Credit Initiative in action. Announced in October 2022, the funding is distributed across four new programs, each taking a different angle on increasing funding access. Anna Lensing,…

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