Iowa Startup Accelerator

Iowa Startup Accelerator
Name	Iowa Startup Accelerator
Formation	2010s
Headquarters	Des Moines, Iowa
Region served	Iowa

Iowa Startup Accelerator Iowa Startup Accelerator is an entrepreneurial support organization based in Des Moines, Iowa that provides seed-stage mentoring, office space, and investment readiness for technology and agritech startups. The accelerator connects founders with investors from Silicon Valley, New York City, and regional networks including Midwest Venture Capital Association, while working alongside institutions such as Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa. Programs emphasize scaling, customer discovery, and fundraising, leveraging partnerships with entities like General Electric, John Deere, Kauffman Foundation, and National Science Foundation.

Overview

The program offers cohort-based acceleration, combining curriculum modeled on practices from Y Combinator, Techstars, 500 Startups, and MassChallenge with region-specific guidance drawn from collaborations with Iowa Economic Development Authority, Greater Des Moines Partnership, and Polk County. Facilities include coworking and prototyping space akin to MakerBot and Fab Lab networks, and services mirror offerings from Plug and Play Tech Center and StartX. Industry focus areas often include agriculture-adjacent technologies, cleantech, healthtech, and enterprise software, with connections to John Deere, DuPont, and Cargill for pilot opportunities.

History

Founded in the 2010s amid a surge in Midwestern entrepreneurship influenced by success stories from Minneapolis–Saint Paul and Chicago, the accelerator emerged as part of statewide initiatives inspired by models from Stanford University spinouts and incubators such as MIT. Early backers included regional angel groups like Midwest Angel Network and economic actors such as Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and corporate partners like Principal Financial Group. The accelerator’s timeline includes pilot cohorts modeled after Lean Startup methodologies popularized by Eric Ries and curriculum adaptations influenced by Steve Blank’s customer development framework. Over time, the organization expanded programming in partnership with federal agencies including Small Business Administration and United States Department of Agriculture.

Programs and Services

Iowa Startup Accelerator delivers mentorship from entrepreneurs and executives formerly affiliated with Google, Microsoft, Intel, Amazon (company), and IBM. Offerings include investor introductions modeled on Demo Day practices used by Y Combinator and Techstars Accelerator, legal clinics facilitated with law firms akin to DLA Piper and Faegre Drinker, and accounting support similar to services from PwC and Deloitte. Technical support includes access to labs and rapid prototyping resources comparable to Caterpillar and GE innovation centers, plus market access through trade events like CES, SXSW, and BIO International Convention. Educational workshops cover topics found in curricula from Harvard Business School executive programs and Kauffman FastTrac.

Selection and Admission Process

Admission leverages pitch evaluations and due diligence by panels featuring representatives from Venture Capital firms, regional angel groups, and corporate venture arms such as GV and Intel Capital. Candidate companies submit applications that undergo screening similar to processes at AngelList and CB Insights, followed by interviews with mentors drawn from networks including Tiger Global Management and Sequoia Capital alumni. Criteria emphasize product-market fit, team composition with founders who may have prior ties to institutions like Iowa State University, and potential for follow-on funding from sources including New Enterprise Associates and Bessemer Venture Partners.

Impact and Outcomes

Cohorts have produced startups that secured follow-on investment from firms like Andreessen Horowitz, Accel Partners, and regional funds such as Flyover Capital. Graduates have participated in trade missions to Silicon Valley, Boston, Massachusetts, and Austin, Texas, and have engaged with procurement programs at John Deere and Principal Financial Group. The accelerator reports metrics comparable to national peers showing revenue growth, job creation in Polk County, and patent filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Success indicators mirror those tracked by Startup Genome and PitchBook.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding sources include corporate sponsorships from DuPont Pioneer, grants from National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research programs, and investments from local angel networks like Iowa Angel Conference. Strategic partners span academic institutions such as Iowa State University Research Park, economic development organizations including Greater Des Moines Partnership, and national conveners like TechCrunch and Startup America Partnership. The accelerator’s investor network includes family offices and venture funds with histories tied to firms like Kleiner Perkins and Union Square Ventures.

Notable Alumni and Success Stories

Alumni companies have ranged from agritech startups piloting hardware with John Deere to software firms acquired by larger players similar to Salesforce and SAP. Success stories include startups that completed follow-on rounds with participation from Andreessen Horowitz and entered distribution agreements with corporations like Cargill, DuPont, and Case IH. Graduates have been featured in outlets such as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, and TechCrunch, and founders have presented at conferences including SXSW, Collision, and Web Summit.

Category:Business incubators Category:Organizations based in Des Moines, Iowa