StartUp Iowa

StartUp Iowa
Name	StartUp Iowa
Formation	201?-20??
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	Des Moines, Iowa
Region served	Iowa
Focus	Entrepreneurship, Small business, Innovation

StartUp Iowa is a nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization based in Des Moines, Iowa that focuses on accelerating early-stage companies, fostering venture formation, and connecting founders with capital and mentorship. It operates in collaboration with local economic development agencies, higher education institutions, and industry partners to cultivate startup ecosystems across Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Ames, Sioux City, Davenport, Dubuque and other metropolitan and micropolitan areas. StartUp Iowa coordinates programs that link entrepreneurs to accelerators, angel networks, and corporate partners such as Principal Financial Group, John Deere, and regional chambers of commerce.

Overview

StartUp Iowa provides statewide programming intended to increase startup formation, commercialization, and high-growth ventures in Polk County, Linn County, Johnson County, Story County, Woodbury County, Scott County, Dubuque County. It positions itself among organizations like Endeavor, Techstars, Y Combinator, and regional counterparts such as Iowa Economic Development Authority, Urban League of Iowa, Greater Des Moines Partnership, and university incubators at Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and Drake University. The organization serves founders in sectors including agritech, biotechnology, financial technology, and manufacturing, partnering with research institutions such as University of Northern Iowa and medical centers like University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

History

StartUp Iowa emerged amid statewide efforts to supplement initiatives by Iowa Department of Economic Development and local development authorities during the 2010s, inspired by national movements led by Steve Case, Paul Graham, and ecosystem builders at SCALE Iowa and similar programs. Early collaborators included accelerators affiliated with Iowa State University Research Park and angel groups such as Iowa Capital Investment Corporation and Midwest Growth Partners. Over time StartUp Iowa expanded outreach through events aligned with conferences like Polk County Technology Conference, BioConnect Conference, and regional pitch competitions associated with Kauffman Foundation-style entrepreneurship efforts.

Programs and Services

StartUp Iowa coordinates accelerator pipelines, mentorship networks, pitch competitions, and educational workshops in partnership with incubators at University of Iowa Research Park and corporate innovation initiatives at Rockwell Collins and Vermeer Corporation. Services include: - Lightning rounds and demo days inspired by formats used at TechCrunch Disrupt and SXSW Interactive. - Mentorship matching drawing advisors from Principal Financial Group, Wells Fargo, Microsoft regional offices, and local venture investors such as Baird and Baird Capital. - Connections to angel networks including Iowa Angel Network and venture funds like Flyover Capital.

StartUp Iowa also supports sector-specific cohorts modeled after programs at MassChallenge and Plug and Play Tech Center, and organizes community events in cities with economic development partnerships such as Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding for StartUp Iowa has historically combined philanthropic grants, corporate sponsorships, and public-private partnerships with entities such as Iowa Economic Development Authority, regional foundations like Wellmark Foundation and Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, and corporate sponsors including Principal Financial Group and John Deere. It collaborates with investor networks like Angels on the Water and state-backed funds that mirror models from Seedcamp and 500 Startups. Academic partnerships with Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and community colleges help leverage Small Business Innovation Research links to federal agencies such as National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health.

Impact and Metrics

StartUp Iowa reports metrics on job creation, capital raised, and company formation comparable to regional ecosystem trackers used by organizations like Startup Genome and Kauffman Foundation. Measured outcomes include numbers of startups incubated, follow-on financing secured from angel groups and venture funds, and partnerships formed with corporations such as John Deere and healthcare systems like Mercy Medical Center. Regional indicators include increased patent activity tied to research at Iowa State University and spinouts from University of Iowa laboratories, as well as contributions to workforce development metrics tracked by Iowa Workforce Development.

Notable Startups and Alumni

Alumni companies associated with local accelerators and StartUp Iowa networks include firms that later engaged with national platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, raised rounds from investors such as Sequoia Capital or regional venture partners, or were acquired by corporations such as Rockwell Collins or Hy-Vee. Notable alumni hail from sectors including agritech startup ventures leveraging technology from Corteva Agriscience collaborations, healthcare spinouts originating at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and financial technology firms that worked with Principal Financial Group.

Governance and Organization

StartUp Iowa is governed by a board of directors and advisory councils composed of leaders from regional development agencies, corporations, universities, and investor communities, drawing expertise from organizations like Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa State University Research Foundation, and angel groups such as Iowa Angel Network. Operational leadership often includes executives with backgrounds at Techstars, MassChallenge, and corporate innovation roles at John Deere and Principal Financial Group, with program delivery coordinated through partnerships with local chambers of commerce and economic alliances like Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Category:Organizations based in Iowa