Applications are open to broker-focused startups for the Des Moines-based BrokerTech Ventures Accelerator’s 2021 program, the accelerator announced Oct. 29. The accelerator offers more than $500,000 in seed funding, up to $50,000 each to accepted startups. Submission deadlines for BrokerTech Ventures Accelerator is Nov. 30; selected startups will be notified in early February 2020. The […]

Techstars Iowa announced the 10 international startups making up the accelerator’s inaugural class for 2020, including two Iowa startups: Deetz, a hyperlocal platform connecting users to local community deals and events, and Openloop, a health care platform connecting providers to job openings in hospitals and other facilities requiring extra staff assistance.  The inaugural class represents […]

ISU CYstarters held its 2020 Demo Day virtually, live streaming announcements on YouTube and Facebook last week with more than 160 community members tuning in. The event announced three categories of awards, including the first Ted Bair Cystarters Awards in memory of Ted Bair, former Iowa State regional director at America’s Small Business Development Center. […]

The Iowa State University Startup Factory announced its ninth cohort of entrepreneurs this week, following a virtual kickoff reception held June 25. Ten teams joined the program, with one honorary member selected to participate. The startups are: Cyber Manufacturing and Metrology Solution, i01, Novus Technologies, Peach Pay, Salen 247, seedBiome, SoilSerdem, Sushi3D, VisiHut, and Transport […]

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 via Facebook livestream on July […]

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 capped off quite the season […]

The Global Insurance Accelerator announced changes to the funding structure affecting startups that are accepted to the 2020 cohort, which is now accepting applications. The GIA will increase the seed investment to $75,000 in the form of a post-money Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE), which converts to 5% of the company. By doubling the investment, housing […]

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved innovation funding to support five Iowa startups located in Des Moines, Le Claire, West Des Moines and Iowa City.  HomePainter, based in Des Moines, has developed an online estimating tool that provides homeowners with an accurate paint estimate in less than five minutes, then subcontracts booked jobs […]

Fifteen student entrepreneurs are joining the 2019 CYstarters cohort, an 11-week intensive program managed by the Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. Businesses in the cohort are: AI for Microscopy, Camp Aramoni, CattleTech, Chess Utopia, Comic Sandwiches, Courselink, Flourish, Iowa Virtual Reality Labs, Jensen Applied Sciences, One Hop Shop, Pink Panda, Pock It, Powdu, the Modern […]