Agenda

Startups

Investors

Ecosystem Builders

Become a Sponsor

Best of the Midwest

Claim Your Spot

ISW 2026
ISW 2026

Iowa Startup Week 2026 Agenda

Des Moines, Iowa

2026 Agenda
2026 Agenda

Four Days of Breakthrough Ideas and Inspiring Leaders

MON 28

MON 28

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 29

TUE 29

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 Best of the Midwest finalist selection

  • Networking Lunch

  • Networking Happy Hour (multiple evening events)

WED 30

WED 30

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

  • VIP Sponsor Dinner (invitation only)

  • VIP Sponsor & Showcase After Party

THU 1

THU 1

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

  • Best of the Midwest – pitch competition final

  • Best of the Midwest After Party

Best of the Midwest
Best of the Midwest

Pitch. Compete. Break Through.

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 cash 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 cash 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 cash prize.

Learn More

Learn More

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

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.

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.

Explore Sponsorships

Explore Sponsorships

Save your place
Save your place

Four Days of Innovation
—Be There.

Four Days of Innovation
—Be There.

Four Days of Innovation
—Be There.

Claim Your Spot

Claim Your Spot

FAQs
FAQs

Got Questions?

Got Questions?

What does it cost to attend?

What does it cost to attend?

Are sponsorship opportunities available?

Are sponsorship opportunities available?

Who should attend Iowa Startup Week?

Who should attend Iowa Startup Week?

Do I need to have a startup to attend?

Do I need to have a startup to attend?

Iowa Startup Week is a week-long event in Des Moines, Iowa designed to celebrate and platform entrepreneurship in the Midwest.

Menu

Agenda

Startups

Investors

Ecosystem Builders

Become a Sponsor

Best of the Midwest

Contact information

Phone: (319) 215-2597

Email: hello@iowastartupweek.com

Claim Your Spot

© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.

Iowa Startup Week is a week-long event in Des Moines, Iowa designed to celebrate and platform entrepreneurship in the Midwest.

Menu

Agenda

Startups

Investors

Ecosystem Builders

Become a Sponsor

Best of the Midwest

Contact information

Phone: (319) 215-2597

Email: hello@iowastartupweek.com

Claim Your Spot

© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.

Iowa Startup Week is a week-long event in Des Moines, Iowa designed to celebrate and platform entrepreneurship in the Midwest.

Menu

Agenda

Startups

Investors

Ecosystem Builders

Become a Sponsor

Best of the Midwest

Contact information

Phone: (319) 215-2597

Email: hello@iowastartupweek.com

Claim Your Spot

© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.

Iowa Startup Week is a week-long event in Des Moines, Iowa designed to celebrate and platform entrepreneurship in the Midwest.

Menu

Agenda

Startups

Investors

Ecosystem Builders

Become a Sponsor

Best of the Midwest

Contact information

Phone: (319) 215-2597

Email: hello@iowastartupweek.com

Claim Your Spot

© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.