Ramco Innovations set to triple space available to startups Entrepreneur support center Maple Ventures is moving into its next phase with the announcement of its first full-time director and plans to triple the amount of space available to industrial technology companies at Ramco Innovations. Renovations are underway to convert one of three buildings at Ramco’s […]

Entrepreneurs can now apply for the 2022 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. Judges selected by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will review all written submissions. Participants who advance to later rounds will give their pitches to a panel of judges, and the top three finalists will be awarded. The deadline to apply is May […]

Talage Inc., a provider of digital distribution software products for commercial insurance, has announced $9 million in new venture funding. The round was led by Merus Capital, with participation by Calibrate Ventures, Hallador Financial, Advantage Capital and Reno Seed Fund. The Reno, Nev.-based company said it will use the funding to broaden its reach and increase […]

Candi Karsjens has been named the new director of North Iowa Area Community College’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center following the departure of Tim Putnam in December 2021. Karsjens joined NIACC’s Pappajohn center in 2019 as director of innovation and acceleration, bringing more than 30 years of experience in business and industry, including owning several businesses. In […]

The Startup Iowa Hot List is a new twice-monthly digest that aims to facilitate more connections between Iowa-based startups and the Midwest investor and entrepreneurial communities. The first list highlights startups like MemberMarketplace and ChopLocal, which are actively raising funds, as well as companies to watch. Questions and feedback can be sent to Diana Wright […]

International startups looking to prepare for U.S. market entry can now apply for the third cohort of Cultivo Virtual Academy in spring 2022. Applications are open through Feb. 1, and cohort sessions begin March 22. All participants who have completed one of the three cohorts will also be eligible to attend an in-person event in […]

BrokerTech Ventures took a significant step last week toward its goal of building a connecting bridge between Israeli- and U.S.-based insurtech founders and insurance brokers. The Des Moines-based insurtech accelerator hosted a delegation representing the Israel InsurTech Accelerator, which was launched last year in partnership with BrokerTech Ventures as the first broker-led insurance accelerator in Israel. […]