The Greater Des Moines Story: Small Business Success

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The May 2026 Startup Iowa Hot List Is Out Now

Connecting with other entrepreneurs and investors has never been easier thanks to the Startup Iowa Hot List. Produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Startup Iowa Hot List is here to help you keep up with the latest startup news. So whether you're actively trying to build your network or just curious about starting a business, the Startup Iowa Hot List will keep you informed of the latest happenings relevant to you this month and prepare you for upcoming events like The Partnership's Raising Capital for Startups event taking place on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

The 33rd edition of the Startup Iowa Hot List includes the following:

  • Application Due Dates
  • Raising Capital Updates
  • State Funding Announcements
  • Upcoming Events
  • and the latest Story + Sound Bites

Start Connecting with the Startup Community in Iowa and Beyond

From upcoming pitch competitions to a compilation of startups looking for funding, you'll find information to help you as a startup owner or learn how you can support new businesses in Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa and the Midwest.

Read the latest edition of the Startup Iowa Hot List.

If we've missed something, let us know, and if you've got questions, reach out about those, too. Just email me at dwright@DSMpartnership.com. And for even more information on the Iowa startup scene, follow the Startup Iowa Substack

Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Greater Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to one or all of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's newsletters — they're packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects to policy updates. Join the mailing list to connect with The Partnership and help amplify stories from around the region.

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Diana Wright

Diana Wright is the Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. She has a passion for helping others bridge their ideas and create results. In her role at The Partnership she connects and leads entrepreneurs helping them speed up their growth and success.