Eighth Edition: Startup Iowa Hot List
Meet the startups to support and watch in Iowa + beyond
Every month, I write a newsletter for Iowa entrepreneurs to get more connected to the strong networks of support in the Midwest (and beyond). Investors, entrepreneurs, mentors, corporate leaders, economic developers, researchers, and educators in and outside of Iowa can dial in on the startup activity happening across the state while finding the next business to support.
Welcome to the 31 new Startup Iowa Hot List members who have joined us since last month. Join 298 intelligent, curious and supportive startup champions by subscribing below.
Actively Raising
🚀Growers Edge
Highlights: Growers Edge builds industry-leading data and fintech solutions to empower ag retailers and input manufacturers and bring value to their customers. They design custom warranty-backed crop plans and white-label embedded finance solutions to enable access to credit and provide informed risk management and land valuation decisions, driving an innovative and resilient future for agriculture.
Raising: $15,000,000 Series B Extension; Committed: $12,500,000; GrowersEdge is looking to involve more Iowa investors through group syndication for those interested.
Backed by: S2G, Cox, Finistere, Bunge, Skyline Global Partners, iSelect
Leadership: Dan Cosgrove, CEO; HQ: Johnston, Iowa
Contact: dan.cosgrove@growersedge.com + web
Can you help? Growers Edge has developed land valuation algorithms that offer digital farmland mortgage applications and approvals. They are looking for local banks to help originate these farmland loans in Iowa.
🚀The Agenda Period
Highlights: The Agenda. is the first ever planner and app that helps women and menstruators sync their work and life tasks with their cycle to inform strategic planning and professional endeavors. Originally launched as an analog product in 2019, the team has since released an app available for all devices and has generated over 1,600 users.
Raising through WeFunder, a crowd-equity platform: Link to the funding campaign
Backed by: Angel investors, ISA Ventures, Iowa Startup Accelerator, IEDA’s Proof of Commercial Relevance
Founded by: Alyx Coble-Frakes, Woman-led Company; Video Summary
Contact: alyx@theagendaperiod.com + web; HQ: Brighton, Iowa
Can you help? The Agenda. is looking to get connected with organizations that would be interested in having a presentation or workshop around health and empowerment for their workforce.
🚀Want to be featured? Looking for more Iowa startups for investment?
For a list of more startups actively raising (that may not appear in this newsletter) or to be featured in the next edition, reach out!
Missed a monthly digest? Check out the Startup Iowa Hot List archives for companies raising here.
New funding for Iowa health tech startups
ISA Ventures will manage a new $2 million investment fund launched by CareSource to support health tech startups in Iowa - specifically startups that seek to improve health care outcomes, promote health equity and generate positive social impact, especially for underserved populations and complex care needs.
Mergers & Acquisitions
+ College Raptor acquired by Citizens Financial Group
+ VisionBank of Iowa announces acquisition of Legacy Bank
State Funding Announcements
Iowa Economic Development Authority announced four startups that received financial assistance including:
Janas Materials awarded $25,000 for Proof of Commercial Relevance
The Agenda. Period awarded $25,000 for Proof of Commercial Relevance
Stagerie awarded $100,000 for Demonstration Fund
ChopLocal awarded $100,000 for Demonstration Fund
On the Horizon: Companies to Watch
BarnTools - Allows swine and poultry producers to monitor barns conditions in real-time through a wireless barn alarm system
Bound - Connects your entire state with software that handles all aspects of managing statewide athletics and activities
CleanersList - Built to make it easy to find cleaners ready to clean your house, carpets, and windows at competitive rates and convenient times available straight from your phone
Koloni - The locker operating system for any type of business that provides software, white-label solutions, agnostic smart locks, and smart lockers
MakuSafe - Builds wearable technology that improves worker health, safety, and productivity while reducing incidents and mitigating workplace hazards
Qi Learning - Provides research and theory-based workshops, curricula, instructional strategies, classes, and resources for in-school and out-of-school educators
VictoryXR - Brings a more immersive way for students to learn through virtual and augmented reality for classrooms and campuses
Story + Sound Bites
🔊Raygun founder on how to win brick & mortar (The Iowa Podcast)
🔊 Startup Investing 101 (DSM Partnership + ISA Ventures)
🗞️Takeaways from Lifting up Latino Entrepreneurs panel (innovationIOWA)
🗞️ Finalists announced for the 2022 Prometheus Awards (TAI)
🗞️ Delving into Central Iowa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem (innovationIOWA)
🗞️The PGA of America Has an Investment Fund (Perfect Putt)
Upcoming Events
📅 October 13 - Techstars Iowa Demo Day
📅 October 14 - Ag Innovator’s Unconference
📅 October 19 - Women Who Create Conference + SheTalks
📅 October 23 - DMMC’s Music University
📅 November 14-20 - Global Entrepreneurship Week
📅 November 16 - Raising Capital for Startups
📅 November 19 - National Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit
What’s in a name? The Startup Iowa Hot List is specially-curated with a rush of urgency to read just before the news cools. See a company you are interested in helping? Please act and support entrepreneurs that may be featured on this list and those close by, impacting our local communities and neighborhoods.
Entrepreneurship has always been a community sport.
Want to be featured in the next Startup Iowa Hot List? Reach out to Diana at dwright@dsmpartnership.com.