Agenda

Speakers

Startups

Investors

Ecosystem Builders

Become a Sponsor

Best of the Midwest

Buy a Ticket

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 Leaders

MON 9-28

MON 9-28

MON 9-28

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

  • Registrations Open

  • Kickoff Party at Krause Gateway Center (Courtyard)

TUE 9-29

TUE 9-29

TUE 9-29

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

  • Networking Lunch

  • Networking Happy Hour (multiple evening events)

WED 9-30

WED 9-30

WED 9-30

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

  • Buyer’s Club Showcase, includes Best of the Midwest finalist selection

  • VIP Sponsor Dinner (invitation only)

  • VIP Sponsor & Showcase After Party

THU 10-1

THU 10-1

THU 10-1

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

  • Founder/VC Breakfast

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

  • VIP Sponsor & Founder Networking

  • Best of the Midwest – Hoyt Sherman Place

  • 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 30 semi-finalists across all verticals to come to Des Moines for a series of showcases to pitch live. Three (3) finalists will then be invited to compete at the Best of the Midwest for a chance to win the grand 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 30 semi-finalists across all verticals to come to Des Moines for a series of showcases to pitch live. Three (3) finalists will then be invited to compete at the Best of the Midwest for a chance to win the grand 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 30 semi-finalists across all verticals to come to Des Moines for a series of showcases to pitch live. Three (3) finalists will then be invited to compete at the Best of the Midwest for a chance to win the grand 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.

Buy a Ticket

Buy a Ticket

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

Speakers

Startups

Investors

Ecosystem Builders

Become a Sponsor

Best of the Midwest

Contact information

Phone: (319) 215-2597

Email: hello@iowastartupweek.com

Buy a Ticket

© 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

Speakers

Startups

Investors

Ecosystem Builders

Become a Sponsor

Best of the Midwest

Contact information

Phone: (319) 215-2597

Email: hello@iowastartupweek.com

Buy a Ticket

© 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

Speakers

Startups

Investors

Ecosystem Builders

Become a Sponsor

Best of the Midwest

Contact information

Phone: (319) 215-2597

Email: hello@iowastartupweek.com

Buy a Ticket

© 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

Speakers

Startups

Investors

Ecosystem Builders

Become a Sponsor

Best of the Midwest

Contact information

Phone: (319) 215-2597

Email: hello@iowastartupweek.com

Buy a Ticket

© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.