The Iowa Startup Wiki » Accelerators

Iowa Lakes Corridor Business Accelerator Services

Christian — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:29:13 +0000

Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has significant goals when it comes to entrepreneurship. The Corridor assists new and established entrepreneurs to plan and grow businesses, focusing on serving clients with high growth opportunities. Business Acceleration Advisory Services include:

Human Capital Development

Leadership Team Composition

Board of Directors Recruitment

Advisory Board Recruitment

Production Staff Training

Growth Plan Development Consulting

Strategic Plan

Tactical Execution Plans

Milestone Definition and Measurement

Intellectual Property Training

Patent

Trademark

Trade Secret

Professional Referrals

Accounting

Legal

Insurance

Market Analysis Critical Evaluation

Market Research Planning

Sales and Marketing Plan Development

Financial Analysis

Cash Flow

Profit and Loss

Balance Sheet

Administration Systems Review

Bookkeeping

Information Technology

Shareholder Records

Referrals to Sources of Investment Capital

Private Lending (Banks)

Private Placement Angel Investment

Iowa Lakes Capital

Public Incentives

Strategic Institutional Investors

Cedar Valley TechWorks (Waterloo)

Christian — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:28:31 +0000

Cedar Valley TechWorks brings together leaders in the field of biotechnology, serving as a center of activity for researchers, farmers, investors and business owners, and helps to ensure the availability and quality of a knowledgeable workforce and provides a forum for research and development, academic research, education and workforce training.

More info at http://www.cedarvalleytechworks.com

Entrepreneurial Development Center (Cedar Rapids)

Christian — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:25:09 +0000

In 2003, the Entrepreneurial Development Center, Inc. (EDC) was founded to improve entrepreneurial development efforts, create balance to existing economic development programs in Cedar Rapids, and, coupled with efforts of the local Chamber of Commerce, provide a broader business support engine for the community. EDC was formed as a Chamber partner, with Chamber funding, to specifically provide for the business creation / entrepreneurial development component of the Chamber’s Mission Statement.

From its start in September of 2003, EDC grew; raising funds at the local, state and national levels. Talent (staffing / contractors / mentors) grew from one to many, annual funding grew from $200,000 to ~$1M, geographic scope expanded from local to regional to statewide, and the abilities and accomplishments of the organization developed accordingly.

EDC provides three key functions – (1) networking and education, (2) the development of critical provider networks and the connection of related needs with such resources, and (3) the hands-on day-to-day mentoring of entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs.

More info at www.edcinc.org

Business Innovation Zone (Des Moines)

Christian — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:24:41 +0000

The Business Innovation Zone (BIZ) in Des Moines is the place to start for central Iowa entrepreneurs. The BIZ and Executive Director Mike Colwell helps them focus on idea development, business models, strategy, market validation, mentoring and networking. As a community sponsored non-profit business accelerator, the BIZ provides objective advice and guidance to entrepreneurs and growth companies.

The BIZ works with clients from idea to sustained profitability. Key services are focused on mentoring, consulting and counseling. The BIZ provides a number of entrepreneurial networking opportunities and has been very successful in assisting with grants, loans and raising equity.

More info at http://www.bizci.org

Statewide Events Calendar

Tej — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:51:35 +0000

The Iowa Startup and Entrepreneur’s Calendar is the complete view of what is going on in the entrepreneurial and Startup scene in Iowa. Anyone is welcome to link to the calendar using the image below. You are also welcome to submit an event for the calendar.

There are actually many calendars in this system. The main calendar is the statewide calendar and contains all of the events. Clicking on the pull down menu for the main calendar will display a list of all of the calendars available.

If you or your group would like to have a calendar in the system please let us know by sending an email tomcolwell@desmoinesmetro.com. There is no fee for the use of the calendar. You will note that the sponsor logo will appear on all calendars viewed by the public. Thank you to Startup Launchpad and the Davis Brown Law Firm.

Please note that there are 6 event types available. Each of these types is represented on the main calendar by a separate color:

Awards – Yellow
Conference – Green
Education – Teal
Government – Pink
Holiday – none
Networking – Orange

There is a complete user manual and tutorial videos available at: http://www.mhsoftware.com/documentation.html

If you would like to integrate your calendar or any of the state or region calendars directly into your website, you can contact Tej Dhawan at Startup City Des Moines.tej@startupcitydsm.com

Make sure you let others know about the calendars! And make sure you give a big Thank You to Startup Launchpad by Davis Brown Law!

Business Innovation Zone

Tej — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:49:09 +0000

The Business Innovation Zone (BIZ) is the place to start for entrepreneurs. The BIZ and Executive Director Mike Colwell help them focus on idea development, business models, strategy, market validation, mentoring and networking. As a community sponsored non-profit business accelerator, the BIZ provides objective advice and guidance to entrepreneurs and growth companies. We connect clients with qualified community and state resources needed to grow their business. The BIZ helps entrepreneurs maximize their success by navigating resources, strengthening their knowledge, improving their skills, forming strategic alliances and securing proper capitalization.

The BIZ provides a number of networking opportunities with experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders, equity providers and business service providers. We offer regular monthly networking events, links to other entrepreneur events in the area, connections and introductions to our network of over 400 businesses and business leaders.

We are results driven. Our clients have an average revenue growth 142 percent per year. We have secured more than 20 state grants totaling more than $1.5M.

Formed in 2007, the Business Innovation Zone (BIZ) has a vision to provide economic growth in Central Iowa through development and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprise. The BIZ is focused on creating local wealth for area re-investment by growing and cultivating regional, national and international businesses.