Entrepreneurial Council Formed

The Greater Des Moines Partnership has established an Entrepreneurial Advisory Council to the Regional Economic Development Board. The charge of the Council is to advise staff and organization leadership on projects and issues relevant to this important economic development sector. Staffed by Mike Colwell, Executive Director of Entrepreneurial Initiatives, the Council will serve in an advisory role focused on the entrepreneurial initiatives of the Partnership.

“The formation of this Council represents the Partnership’s ongoing commitment to the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Mike Kulik of Davis Brown Law Firm, who will serve as Chair to the founding Council. “The Partnership will look to Council members to help both staff and leadership keep abreast of issues, trends, and opportunities in the ecosystem, and to advocate in the community for Partnership initiatives.”

The overall mission of the Council will be to help the Partnership build the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central Iowa. This will include reviewing and providing feedback on current and future initiatives, including Plains Angels, NestMint, the BIZ and future activities. Council members will also provide mentoring and advice to Partnership staff and members of the Partnership Board of Directors. The Council will meet four to six times per year. Membership will include individuals and organizations involved in entrepreneurial activities including: mentors; seed, angel, and venture capital investors; experienced entrepreneurs and startup founders; along with, service providers in the financial and legal professions. Current Board and Committee members are listed here.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 320 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.