ISW 2026
ISW 2026

Iowa Startup Week 2026 Agenda

Des Moines, Iowa

Sponsored by
Sponsored by
2026 Agenda
2026 Agenda

Four Days of Breakthrough Ideas and Inspiring Leader

MON 15

MON 15

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

  • Registrations Open

  • Welcome Breakfast

  • Keynote Speaker/Opening Presentation

  • Concurrent programming throughout the day: Adv. Manufacturing, Bioscience & IT streams

  • Kickoff Party (evening)

TUE 16

TUE 16

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

  • Welcome Breakfast

  • Concurrent programming throughout the day: Adv. Manufacturing, Bioscience & IT streams

  • Networking Lunch

  • Networking Happy Hour (multiple evening events)

WED 17

WED 17

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

  • Welcome Breakfast

  • Concurrent programming throughout the day: Adv. Manufacturing, Bioscience & IT streams

  • Buyer’s Club Showcase, includes InnoVenture Challenge finalist selection

  • VIP Sponsor Dinner (invitation only)

  • VIP Sponsor & Showcase After Party

THU 18

THU 18

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

  • Founder/VC Breakfast

  • Resource Fair

  • VIP Sponsor & Founder Networking – Hoyt Sherman Theater

  • InnoVenture Challenge – pitch competition final

  • InnoVenture Challenge After Party

Best of the Midwest
Best of the Midwest

Pitch. Compete. Break Through.

Pitch. Compete. Break Through.

Apply to compete in this year's Best of the Midwest, the region's largest pitch competition for startups in technology, manufacturing and bioscience.

Our panel of judges will choose the top 10 semi-finalists across all three categories to come to Des Moines for a series of showcases (to pitch live) - the winners of each showcase will then be invited to compete at the Best of the Midwest for a chance to win the $100,000 grand prize.

Apply to compete in this year's Best of the Midwest, the region's largest pitch competition for startups in technology, manufacturing and bioscience.

Our panel of judges will choose the top 10 semi-finalists across all three categories to come to Des Moines for a series of showcases (to pitch live) - the winners of each showcase will then be invited to compete at the Best of the Midwest for a chance to win the $100,000 grand prize.

Become a Sponsor
Become a Sponsor

Put Your Brand in Front of the Midwest’s Innovators & Leaders

Put Your Brand in Front of the Midwest’s Innovators & Leaders

We've developed our sponsorship levels to provide value for companies and organizations of all types and sizes (and to accommodate most budgets) - contact our sales team today to get your brand in front of the Midwest's innovation economy.

We've developed our sponsorship levels to provide value for companies and organizations of all types and sizes (and to accommodate most budgets) - contact our sales team today to get your brand in front of the Midwest's innovation economy.

Save your place
Save your place

Four Days of Innovation
—Be There.

Four Days of Innovation
—Be There.

Four Days of Innovation
—Be There.

FAQs
FAQs

Got Questions?

Got Questions?

What does it cost to attend?

What does it cost to attend?

What are the dates for this year's event?

What are the dates for this year's event?

Are sponsorship opportunities available?

Are sponsorship opportunities available?

Will volunteer opportunities be available?

Will volunteer opportunities be available?

September 28th-October 2nd

Des Moines, Iowa

© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.

September 28th-October 2nd

Des Moines, Iowa

© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.

September 28th-October 2nd

Des Moines, Iowa

© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.

September 28th-October 2nd

Des Moines, Iowa

© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.