Iowa Startup Week? Founder Kaylee Williams says the 4-day conference will be a major midwest draw.
What is Iowa Startup Week? The inaugural 4-day conference is coming to Des Moines, Iowa and will draw startup talent, investors and startup ecosystem advocates from the entire midwest. Founder Kaylee Williams (and host of our own Iowa Tech Podcast) joins us to break down the event, who's behind it, and why now is the time to start it.
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Iowa Startup Week: At a glance
A Four-Day Event: A comprehensive four-day conference packed with speakers, educational workshops, and multiple programming tracks.
"Best of the Midwest" Pitch Competition: The "backbone" of the week, featuring 30 regional startup semifinalists pitching throughout the week.
Main Stage Finals: A free, flagship event on Thursday night, October 1st, at Hoyt Sherman, where the top three startup finalists will compete on stage.
Massive Outdoor Festival Footprint: A vibrant resource fair, food trucks, and a beer garden taking over the Gateway District near the Sculpture Park.
The JPEC 30-Year Anniversary: A special celebration on Tuesday night in the Sculpture Garden honoring John Pappajohn's legacy, bringing together all the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers from across the state.
Broad Industry Under the Tent: Content and networking tailored around three core platforms: bioscience, advanced manufacturing, and innovative technology/enterprise SaaS.
Deep Programming: Access to a packed agenda of concurrent satellite events scattered all around Startup Week, with exclusive perks unlocked by your conference attendee badge.
High-Value "Collisions": Organic opportunities to network directly with regional co-founders, local innovators, and coastal investors.