Business Resources
What type of info do you need to improve your business?
Business Concierge: http://www.iasourcelink.com/resources/business-concierge
Assist small business owners in finding solutions to their most pressing questions by facilitating connections to the right people, data and resources
Small Business Development Centers: http://www.iowasbdc.org/
Provide free one-on-one business counseling and assistance with putting together business plans.
John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers: http://www.iowajpec.org/
University-based entrepreneurship centers focused on undergraduate and graduate programs as well as community support and training.
SCORE Offices: https://www.score.org/
A resource of free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs
Regional Economic Development Agencies
County Economic Development Offices
ISU Center for Industrial Research and Service: http://www.ciras.iastate.edu/
Provides applied research, education and technical assistance to Iowa industry.
Advance Iowa: http://advanceiowa.com/
The State of Iowa's comprehensive consulting program designed to work with mid-sized companies to enhance their growth.
Iowa Waste Reduction Center / Iowa Waste Exchange: http://iwrc.uni.edu/
Working with businesses to protect Iowa's enviornment through technical assistance, waste reduction and pollution prevention.
IEDA Site Selection Assistance for Expansion: http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/Business/SiteLocation
A robust database of sites and locations for companies looking to expand or relocate.
University of Iowa Centers for Enterprise: http://research.uiowa.edu/business/Who-We-Are
Delivers innovative education, training and outreach programs for Iowa students, faculty, aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners.
UNI Business & Community Services: http://www.bcs.uni.edu/
Work with businesses, entrepreneurs, communities and governments, providing a wide array of services from marketing research and business incubation, to environmental compliance and economic development.
Startup Weekend: http://startupweekend.org/
54-hour events where developers, designers, marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startups.
Startup Accelerators - Fixed-term, cohort-based programs, that include mentorship and educational components and culminate in a public pitch event or demo day.
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Emprendedor at Iowans for Social and Economic Development:
http://www.isedventures.org/
A small business development program run by and for Latinos in Southeast Iowa.
Veterans
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Home Base Iowa:
https://homebaseiowa.gov/
Helps Veterans and transitioning Service Members to find positions at Iowa companies and pursue continued education.
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SBA Veterans Business Resource Center:
https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd/resources/
Designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business.
Technology Association of Iowa: http://www.technologyiowa.org/
The premier professional organization driving the success of the state's technology industry and tech-based economy.
Iowa Association of Business & Industry: http://www.iowaabi.org/
Broad-based organization of iowa businesses working together to promote Iowa commerce.
Chambers of Commerce (Alliance): http://cedarvalleyalliance.com/index.php
Local associations to promote and protect the interests of the businesses community in a certain area.
Community Main Street / Main Street Waterloo: http://www.communitymainstreet.org/
Provides an organized framework to preserve and revitalize traditional downtowns and commercial districts.
Iowa Biotechnology Association: http://www.iowabio.org/
Promote the success and growth of biotech-based business in Iowa.
Iowa Quality Center: http://iowaqc.org/
Dedicated to the sustainability of all Iowa based organizations through the sharing of their resources including organizational assessment, consulting and facilitation, training and development, networking and a resource library.
Iowa Lean Consortium: http://iowalean.org/
A leading resource to Iowa companies who seek to improve their organization effectiveness and efficiencies.
EntreFEST: http://www.entrefest.com/
Iowa's premier entrepreneurial conference.
Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit: http://iesusa.org/
Exhibits the success stories of immigrant entrepreneurs while sharing business growth tips.
ABI Taking Care of Business Conference: http://www.iowaabi.org/events/
Business leaders from across Iowa and the Midwest gather for powerful speakers and networking opportunities.
BarCamp: http://barcamp.org/w/page/402984/FrontPage
An unstructured networking event where anyone can speak about anything related to business, technology or entrepreneurship.
TechBrews & TAI Events: https://www.technologyiowa.org/events
Various events targeted toward technology and small businesses in Iowa.
Peer Roundtables - A meeting of peers for discussion and exchange of views.
R&D on a Whole New Level
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Makerspace:
https://makerspace.com/
A community center that provides technology, manufacturing equipment and education opportunities.
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Business Incubator:
https://cbgi.uni.edu/innovation-incubator
Designed to accelerate the growth and cusses of small businesses through an array of businesses support resources and services.
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Advanced Specialized Incubators (TechWorks):
http://cedarvalleyalliance.com/cms/251/Cedar_Valley_Tech_Works
A 30-acre advanced manufacturing and biotechnology research, development and education center, and business and manufacturing cluster.
Local Banks:
- Clear Lake Bank & Trust: www.clearlakebank.bank
- Iowa State Bank: www.bankisb.com
- First Citizens Bank: www.myfcb.bank
- MBT Bank: www.mbtbank.com
- First State Bank: www.fsb-britt.com
- Reliance State Bank: www.rsbiowa.com
- Farmer's Trust & Savings Bank: www.ftsbbank.com
- TSB Bank: www.tsbbank.com
Local and National Credit Unions:
Iowa Economic Development Authority: www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/Business/Entrepreneurial
Iowa Innovation Corporation www.iicorp.com
- Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Program: www.iicorp.com
- Industry Applied Research Program: http://www.iicorp.com/industry-applied-research-program.cfm
- Proof of Commercial Relevance Fund: http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/Entrepreneurial/POCR
- Iowa Innovation Fund: http://www.iicorp.com/seed-fund.cfm
Revolving Loan Funds: http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/iA_rif.pdf
Crowdfunding & P2P Platforms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6AAmYHHYtl
Main Street Programs:
County Economic Development Offices:
Regional Economic Development Offices:
Universities:
Equity / Venture Financing for Iowa Businesses: http://www.iasourcelink.com/funding/venture-capital-and-equity-funds
IASourceLink: http://www.iasourcelink.com/
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380+ Providers in Resource Navigator
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Additional resources including Business Licensing Information Center, no-charge business webinars, dozens of updated resource pages, and access to the Business Concierge.
Dream Big Grow Here: http://www.dreambiggrowhere.com/
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Online Business Grant Contest offering up to $15,000
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Five Finalists in Each Industry Pitch for $5,000; $5,000 Winners Pitch for Grand Prize of $10,000
Iowa Business Concierge: http://www.iasourcelink.com/resources/business-concierge
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Assists small business owners in finding solutions to their most pressing questions by facilitating connections the right people, data, and resources.
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"Ask Us Anything!"
Entrepreneurial Management Institute: http://www.iowajpec.org/entrepreneur-support/emi/
A business consulting service for Iowa employers to solve problems for Iowa businesses, educate professionals for Iowa's future, and provide recruitment opportunities for Iowa employers and students.
Dev / Iowa Boot Camp: https://discover.research.uiowa.edu/deviowa-bootcamp-32
6-7 week program designed to aid entrepreneurs in accelerating the startup process through real-world experimentation and valuable feedback.
Venture School: http://www.iowajpec.org/entrepreneur-support/venture-school/
A business consulting service for Iowa employers to solve problems for Iowa businesses, educate professionals for Iowa's future, and provide recruitment opportunities for Iowa employers and students.
Startup Boot Camps:
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1 Million Cups Cedar Valley:
http://www.1millioncups.com/cedarvalley
Every Wednesday morning, one or two early-stage startups present their companies to a diverse audience of their peers, mentors, educators and advisors and receive feedback.
International Trade Office at IEDA: http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/Intl/InternationalAssistance
Assists Iowa companies in developing or expanding international markets and marketing their products and services worldwide.
International Trade at US Department of Commerce: http://www.trade.gov/
Strengthens the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of our trade laws and agreements.
Employer's Council of Iowa / Iowa Workforce Development: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/
The state agency working to help improve all aspects of Iowa's workforce.
Iowa Economic Development Authority Workforce Development Programs: http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/WorkforceTraining/employeetraining
Training programs include Iowa Apprenticeship Program, Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training, Iowa Jobs Training Program, and Accelerated Career Education.
Women Owners
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Ascent Iowa:
http://ascentiowa.org/
Provide strategic resources and mentorship to women business owners and conduct statewide research-based outreach in Iowa.
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Iowa Women's Business Center:
http://www.isedventures.org/iowawbc/
Dedicated to helping Iowa women business owners as they luanch or grow their businesses.
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National Association of Women Business Owners:
http://www.nawbo-ci.org/
Networking group for women in business providing a supportive, educational and energetic environment.
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Iowa Women's Leadership Conference:
http://www.iwlcleads.org/
The state's premier leadership organization for women, offering leadership resources including events featuring prominent speakers, networking opportunities and other services to advance women's leadership.
Minority or Disabled Owners
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Targeted Small Business Program:
http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/Entrepreneurial/TSB
Designed to help women, minorities and the disabled overcome some of the major hurdles to starting or growing a small business in Iowa.