Additional Community Resources
In addition to resources offered by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, there are several other resources around the community to help support high-growth potential startups and small businesses.
Startup Resources | Sources of Capital | Events | News Sources
Organizations
Artist INC Des Moines
A professional development opportunity for artists working in all creative disciplines, Artist INC provides eight-week training seminars for up to 25 participants by a team of five trained peer facilitators. Find Artist INC information on their website.
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Led by local and national experts, trainings are designed to enhance the governance, management and skills of local nonprofit board and staff members. For more information about building a strong nonprofit, visit the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines website.
DMACC Business Resources
The best strategies, business plans, technology and marketing must be implemented by trained and motivated personnel to be successful. Make DMACC Business Resources (DBR) your first choice in employee training, talent development and business consulting. Visit the DMACC Business Resources website for more information.
Evelyn K. Davis Center
The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families helps families and individuals improve their financial position and connects with families on their work and career goals. Visit the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families website for more information.
Iowa Center for Economic Success
Whether someone starts their relationship with Iowa Center for Economic Success through the education and resources, credit and lending or advocacy and networking programs, the commitment remains the same: empowering them to turn good ideas into strong plans that result in financial success. Visit the Iowa Center for Economic Success website for more information.
Iowa Economic Development Authority
The Iowa Economic Development Authority's (IEDA) mission is to strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions — business development and community development — IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses. Visit the IEDA website for more information.
Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Established in 1981, America's SBDC Iowa provides no cost, confidential, customized, professional business advice in all 99 Iowa counties to new and existing businesses. The SBDC also presents affordable workshops that teach practical skills and techniques, conduct research, provide comprehensive information services and offer access to subject matter experts in a variety of fields. Visit the SBDC website for more information.
Lutheran Services in Iowa's Global Greens Program
This program reconnects former refugee farmers with the land as they build their new life in the U.S. Through Global Greens, farmers can access space to grow food, learn more about U.S. agriculture and start their own business by selling produce at Lutheran Services' Farmers' Market and in Lutheran Services' CSA. Visit the Global Greens website for more information.
SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. SCORE has been serving the community for over 50 years. Because SCORE's work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and engages over 10,000 volunteers, SCORE is able to deliver services at no charge or at a very low cost. Visit the SCORE website for more information.
Solidarity Microfinance
Solidarity Microfinance provides a supportive and collaborative environment empowering low-income individuals to grow their small businesses and take the first steps towards creating a financially stable future for their families. Their program and services are based on a high level of trust, respect and integrity. Visit the Solidarity Microfinance website for more information.
Targeted Small Business Program
The Targeted Small Business (TSB) program is designed to help women, individuals with minority status, service-connected disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities overcome some of the hurdles to start or grow a small business in Iowa. Visit the Targeted Small Business program page for more information.
U of I Venture School
Venture School is an innovative training program focused on real-world experimentation, customer discovery and Lean LaunchPad methodologies. For more information, visit the Venture School website.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration website for more information.
Women's Business Center
The Iowa Center's Women's Business Center is dedicated to helping Iowa women business owners as they launch and grow their businesses. They work to inspire women to start businesses and support them in their entrepreneurial journey. Visit the Women's Business Center page for more information.
Area 515 Maker Space
The Area 515 Maker Space is a nonprofit community of makers, artists and hobbyists who share a workspace that offers tools, technology and resources to make projects and hobbies a reality. Visit the Area 515 Maker Space website for more information.
BrokerTech Ventures
Constantly striving to challenge and change the insurance industry, BrokerTech Ventures (BTV) brings together regional brokerage firms, attracts startups and talented entrepreneurs and works to assist innovation. Visit the BTV website for more information.
Bunkers Labs
Bunker Labs is a national network of veteran and milspouse entrepreneurs dedicated to helping the military connected community start their own business. Visit the Des Moines chapter of Bunker Labs for more information about programs and events.
Global Insurance Accelerator
A mentor-driven accelerator designed to foster innovation in the insurance industry through startups targeting the global insurance markets. Visit the Global Insurance Accelerator website for more information.
Gravitate
An entrepreneurial center of gravity with regional locations in both Downtown Des Moines (DSM) and Windsor Heights, featuring low-cost, high-density coworking, collaboration and event space. Visit the Gravitate website for more information.
IASourceLink
IASourceLink connects Iowa small business owners to a network of more than 360 nonprofit resource organizations that provide business-building services. Visit the IASourceLink website for more information.
Iowa Creative Incubator
Guiding new connections between artists and businesses, Mainframe Studios Iowa Creative Incubator strives to build a more dynamic and equitable creative economy. Find out more about the Artist Fellowship and Business Guide.
Startup Iowa Chat
An online resource for entrepreneurs to connect, stay up-to-date, get help with their business plan and more. Learn more at the Startup Iowa Chat website.
Technology Association of Iowa (TAI)
The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) is a statewide, member-based organization connecting leaders, developing talent, driving public policy and fostering diversity and inclusion in the technology industry. For more information, visit the TAI website.
FIN Capital
FIN Capital is a DSM-based group of accredited female angel investors who invest in early stage companies that are positioned to grow rapidly. For more information, visit the FIN Capital website.
IEDA's Innovation Funding Program
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) offers innovation programs helpful for technology, advanced manufacturing and bioscience companies that create high-paying jobs for the state. For more information, visit IEDA's website.
Iowa Venture Capital Association
The Iowa Venture Capital Association (IVCA) is a nonprofit organization with 30 member companies who influence and contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the State of Iowa. Learn more at the Iowa Venture Capital Association website.
ISA Ventures
ISA Ventures is an eastern Iowa-based mulsti-stage venture studio supporting companies in the startup phase, rapid growth phase or expansion/late stage. For more information, visit the ISA Ventures website.
NewBoCo + Kiva
Kiva is a global nonprofit microlending platform for small business owners and entrepreneurs. NewBoCo and Kiva have partnered to create a hub in Iowa that gives entrepreneurs access to a microlending platform to raise zero interest, zero fee, extended grace period loans from $1-$15k. Learn more at the NewBoCo website.
Plains Angels
Plains Angels is a group of Iowa-based Midwest angel investors dedicated to providing outstanding financial returns to accredited angel investors while assisting early-stage growth companies by being an excellent source of funding and advice. For more information, visit the Plains Angels pages.
Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
The contest is intended to encourage and promote entrepreneurial activity and create greater awareness of the resources available to entrepreneurs in Iowa. Innovative, new ventures are encourage to participate. Learn more at the Pappajohn competition website.
1 Millions Cups
The 1 Million Cups program offers local entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their startup to a diverse audience of mentors, advisors and entrepreneurs. For more information on how to apply or to attend, visit the 1 Million Cups website.
ciLive (Celebrate Innovation Live)
ciLive is a week-long celebration to promote creative and innovative thought. Students and the general public can engage in a variety of concurrent sessions and direct interaction with presenters and keynote speakers from across the nation. For more information, visit the ciLive website.
CodeDay
CodeDay is a 24-hour event where students passionate about technology form teams and build applications. For more information, visit the CodeDay website.
Global Insurance Symposium
An international event focused on big ideas in the insurance industry, including a focus on innovative ways that startup companies can work on creative solutions for the industry. For more information, visit the Global Insurance Symposium website.
Prometheus Awards
An effort of the Technology Association of Iowa (TAI), the annual Prometheus Awards event recognizes various individuals and organizations in the region for their commitment and support of the technology community within the state. Learn more on TAI’s website.
Startup Iowa Awards
Awarded by Clay & Milk, the Startup Iowa Awards recognize startups, investors, accelerators, entrepreneurs, startup employees, supporting organizations and students for their contribution to the startup community in the state. Learn more on Clay & Milk’s website.
Summer Startup Tour
The Greater Des Moines Partnership and several other organizations are working together to host the first-ever Summer Startup Tour, a month-long series of free events to welcome DSM’s entrepreneurs, creators and makers back to the community.
TechBrew
TechBrew is a monthly gathering bringing entrepreneurs, technologists, business people and funders together to talk while enjoying coffee (a.m. events) or a beer (p.m. events). For more information, visit the Technology Association of Iowa website.