Business Resources

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Technical Assistance Capital Networks Other Resources

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.

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

Home Base Iowa: https://homebaseiowa.gov/
Helps Veterans and transitioning Service Members to find positions at Iowa companies and pursue continued education.
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

Makerspace: https://makerspace.com/
A community center that provides technology, manufacturing equipment and education opportunities.
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.
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.

IASourceLink: http://www.iasourcelink.com/

380+ Providers in Resource Navigator
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/

Online Business Grant Contest offering up to $15,000
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

Assists small business owners in finding solutions to their most pressing questions by facilitating connections the right people, data, and resources.
"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:

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

Ascent Iowa: http://ascentiowa.org/
Provide strategic resources and mentorship to women business owners and conduct statewide research-based outreach in Iowa.
Iowa Women's Business Center: http://www.isedventures.org/iowawbc/
Dedicated to helping Iowa women business owners as they luanch or grow their businesses.
National Association of Women Business Owners: http://www.nawbo-ci.org/
Networking group for women in business providing a supportive, educational and energetic environment.
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

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.