Twenty-second 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 Iowa can dial in on the startup activity happening across the state while finding the next business to support.
Welcome to the 15 new Startup Iowa Hot List members who have joined us since the last edition. Join 671 intelligent, curious, and supportive startup champions by subscribing below.
Pappajohn Venture Competition Awards
John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition announced the finalists for the statewide $100,000 business competition:
Repaint Studios awarded $40,000 for first place
Rise Energy awarded $25,000 for second place
HUDU awarded $15,000 for third place
NeuroPred ($10,000), UpVote ($5,000), and Upcycling+ ($5,000) were awarded honorable mentions
The John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition, along with support from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, has invested $1.3 million into participating businesses since 2006 and is a true celebration of entrepreneurship across Iowa. The event is a collaborative effort executed by the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers located at Iowa State University, Drake University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa.
Looking for more pitch competition challenges in Iowa? Check out the InnoVenture Challenge, where early-stage companies compete on-stage for a winner-take-all $100,000 award. Applications open Monday, September 2.
On the Horizon: Companies to Watch
NeuroPred - Develops software aimed at improving clinical workflows in healthcare, with an emphasis on medical imaging for stroke patients
Sola Insurance- Helps expedite the recovery process for those impacted by natural disasters by utilizing data to provide payouts in a matter of days
Syntherna- Building RNA-based therapeutics and next-generation vaccine delivery technologies aimed to make vaccine production faster, cheaper, and more efficient
TapOnIt - Provides a business texting platform featuring SMS & multi-image MMS capabilities to drive sales and marketing
A Curious Question: Emerging Opportunities
After a recent Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Innovation Council presentation, a question was asked: What is Iowa missing?
This newsletter has plenty of curious readers. It’s important to keep uncovering the problems that Iowa entrepreneurs and leaders need to continue to solve.
We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to take the poll if you see an area that is not getting enough focus or resources and needs amplification. Don’t see what you’re looking for in the poll? Please comment below (the poll is restricted to only five options).
Upcoming Events
📅 September 3-19 - InnoVenture Challenge: Crafting Your Best Application (4-part workshop series, virtual)
📅 September 4 - Entrepreneur Field Day: Gross-Wen Technologies (Slater)
📅 September 9 - SBIR/STTR Funding Programs (Iowa City)
📅 September 12 - SCORE’s 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition (DSM)
📅 September 17 - Entrepreneur Field Day: b. Robert Moore Art (DSM)
📅 September 17 - Iowa Bioscience Showcase (Ames)
📅 September 19 - Hardware Hangout (Ames)
📅 September 24 - Entrepreneur Field Day: PepperHarrow Farm (Winterset)
📅 September 24 - Flourish: Fund Ideas That Matter (DSM)
📅 September 27-28 - ISU Innovation Prize (Ames)
📅 October 3 - Ag Innovators Unconference (Ames)
📅 October 8 + 15 - Angel Investing Workshop Series (DSM)
Have an event to share that would be great for the entrepreneur community to know about? Reach out!
Story + Sound Bites
🔊In Harmony Farm: Bridging the Gap Between Urban Gardening and Conventional Farming (Startup Stories DSM Podcast)
🔊Emily Steele, How to Get to Your First $1M in ARR (Iowa Tech Podcast)
✏️ Keep Cool: Intersection of climate & business (Nick van Osdol)
🗞️Des Moines lands an alternative radio station, hitting airwaves with favorites, Iowa music (DSM Register)
🗞️Two SBDC Iowa leaders receive national SBDC recognitions (innovationIOWA)
🗞️Boone, Indianola join prestigious Main Street Iowa program (IEDA News)
🗞️Greater Iowa City opens grant to strengthen identity of rural towns (innovationIOWA)
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 who may be featured on this list and those close by, impacting our local communities and neighborhoods.
Entrepreneurship has always been a community sport.
The Startup Iowa Hot List is produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
Want to be featured in the next Startup Iowa Hot List? Reach out to Diana at dwright@dsmpartnership.com.