ISW2026 for Investors
ISW2026 for Investors
A Region on the Rise
A Region on the Rise
Across one week, founders, operators, ecosystem leaders, and emerging companies come together to build relationships and share ideas shaping the future of innovation in the Midwest. For investors, this is a rare opportunity to engage directly with Iowa’s fast-growing startup ecosystem in an authentic, high-signal environment.
Across one week, founders, operators, ecosystem leaders, and emerging companies come together to build relationships and share ideas shaping the future of innovation in the Midwest. For investors, this is a rare opportunity to engage directly with Iowa’s fast-growing startup ecosystem in an authentic, high-signal environment.
If you’re looking for innovative, capital-efficient companies, and new markets beyond the coasts, Iowa Startup Week belongs on your calendar.
If you’re looking for innovative, capital-efficient companies, and new markets beyond the coasts, Iowa Startup Week belongs on your calendar.
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Discover High-Quality Deal Flow
Discover High-Quality Deal Flow
Why investors should attend
The Midwest continues to produce resilient, resourceful founders building meaningful businesses across industries, often with stronger fundamentals and lower burn than traditional startup hubs.
At Iowa Startup Week, you’ll meet:
At Iowa Startup Week, you’ll meet:
Early-stage founders preparing to raise
Early-stage founders preparing to raise
Venture-backable startups gaining traction
Venture-backable startups gaining traction
Seasoned founders building their next companies
Seasoned founders building their next companies
Technical builders solving real-world problems
Technical builders solving real-world problems
Operators transitioning into entrepreneurship
Operators transitioning into entrepreneurship
Build Relationships Before the Round
Build Relationships Before the Round
The best investments often start long before a pitch deck.
Iowa Startup Week creates space for genuine interaction: coffee conversations, small-group discussions, and informal gatherings where investors and founders connect as people first. This environment allows investors to evaluate founders over time, understand local ecosystems, and build trust early.
The best investments often start long before a pitch deck.
Iowa Startup Week creates space for genuine interaction: coffee conversations, small-group discussions, and informal gatherings where investors and founders connect as people first. This environment allows investors to evaluate founders over time, understand local ecosystems, and build trust early.
Access an Emerging Innovation Market
Access an Emerging Innovation Market
Iowa and the broader Midwest represent one of the most underpriced opportunities in venture today:
Iowa and the broader Midwest represent one of the most underpriced opportunities in venture today:
Lower operating costs and longer runways
Deep industry expertise in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, insurance, healthcare, and fintech
Universities producing strong technical and entrepreneurial talent
Founders focused on sustainable growth and real revenue
Meet the Builders Behind the Ecosystem
Meet the Builders Behind the Ecosystem
In addition to founders, you’ll engage with:
In addition to founders, you’ll engage with:
Corporate innovation leaders
Economic development partners
University entrepreneurship programs
Community builders shaping regional growth
Accelerator and startup studio managers
A Different Kind of Investor Experience
A Different Kind of Investor Experience
Iowa Startup Week is designed to feel collaborative rather than transactional. Many investors attend not just to source deals, but to build lasting relationships in a region on the rise.
Iowa Startup Week is designed to feel collaborative rather than transactional. Many investors attend not just to source deals, but to build lasting relationships in a region on the rise.
Club Showcases
Club Showcases
The Buyer’s Club Showcases
The Buyer’s Club Showcases
This year’s Iowa Startup Week will feature ten (10) semi-finalists across three major categories (bioscience, advanced manufacturing and information technology) who will pitch at three separate, invite-only showcases.
This year’s Iowa Startup Week will feature ten (10) semi-finalists across three major categories (bioscience, advanced manufacturing and information technology) who will pitch at three separate, invite-only showcases.
The winner of each showcase will go on to compete on Thursday evening (October 2nd) to win the “Best of the Midwest” $100,000 grand prize. The Buyer’s Club showcases are juried by investors in the audience.
The winner of each showcase will go on to compete on Thursday evening (October 2nd) to win the “Best of the Midwest” $100,000 grand prize. The Buyer’s Club showcases are juried by investors in the audience.
Become a Buyer
Become a Buyer
Register for the Buyer’s Club to receive exclusive access to the showcase of your choice, the opportunity to network with other investors across the country, and applicant information for the Best of the Midwest pitch competition.
Buyer’s Club members are given exclusive access to ISW deal flow
Buyer’s Club members are given exclusive access to ISW deal flow
Bring your team to the Sponsor Reception and Founder Breakfast
Bring your team to the Sponsor Reception and Founder Breakfast
Earn recognition as an official Buyer across all digital and printed media
Earn recognition as an official Buyer across all digital and printed media
First right of refusal for future Buyer’s Club sponsorship opportunities
First right of refusal for future Buyer’s Club sponsorship opportunities
Why Iowa?
Why Iowa?
You’ll meet the people and organizations actively supporting startups across the state — accelerators, investors, universities, mentors, and community leaders — all working to help founders succeed in Iowa.
You’ll meet the people and organizations actively supporting startups across the state — accelerators, investors, universities, mentors, and community leaders — all working to help founders succeed in Iowa.
Join Us
Join Us
Expand your network. Unlock new deal flow.
Expand your network. Unlock new deal flow.
Whether you’re an angel investor, venture capitalist, corporate venture leader, or family office exploring new markets, Iowa Startup Week offers a high-leverage way to expand your network and pipeline.
Whether you’re an angel investor, venture capitalist, corporate venture leader, or family office exploring new markets, Iowa Startup Week offers a high-leverage way to expand your network and pipeline.
View the Schedule
"We are so excited for Iowa Startup Week. This will be THE innovation event to attend in our state for years to come!"
Mo Collins
International Economic Development Council
"As an early-stage founder, I can't wait to attend Iowa Startup Week to connect with other innovators and investors."
Clair Vavra
Founder, Held
This is an incredible opportunity to bring founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the Midwest together in Des Moines. Synergy! Collaboration! Momentum!
Rooms filled with people dreaming big, who can help you dream even bigger.
Lily Allen, Dueñas
Founder of the Wild Yoga Tribe & Marketing Specialist at Ramco
Powered By Sukup
While NewBoCo takes great pride in hosting EntreFEST as Iowa's summer gathering (June 11, 12 in Iowa City) of our entrepreneurs and experts, it is very easy to get excited about a Fall extravaganza that promotes, informs and celebrates Midwest Regional Entrepreneurs, Support Resources, and Ecosystem. Full steam ahead for Iowa Startup Week'26!
Alex Taylor
Director of Entrepreneurship, NewBoCo
"We are so excited for Iowa Startup Week. This will be THE innovation event to attend in our state for years to come!"
Mo Collins
International Economic Development Council
"As an early-stage founder, I can't wait to attend Iowa Startup Week to connect with other innovators and investors."
Clair Vavra
Founder, Held
This is an incredible opportunity to bring founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the Midwest together in Des Moines. Synergy! Collaboration! Momentum!
Rooms filled with people dreaming big, who can help you dream even bigger.
Lily Allen, Dueñas
Founder of the Wild Yoga Tribe & Marketing Specialist at Ramco
Powered By Sukup
While NewBoCo takes great pride in hosting EntreFEST as Iowa's summer gathering (June 11, 12 in Iowa City) of our entrepreneurs and experts, it is very easy to get excited about a Fall extravaganza that promotes, informs and celebrates Midwest Regional Entrepreneurs, Support Resources, and Ecosystem. Full steam ahead for Iowa Startup Week'26!
Alex Taylor
Director of Entrepreneurship, NewBoCo
"We are so excited for Iowa Startup Week. This will be THE innovation event to attend in our state for years to come!"
Mo Collins
IEDC
"As an early-stage founder, I can't wait to attend Iowa Startup Week to connect with other innovators and investors."
Clair Vavra
Founder, Held
This is an incredible opportunity to bring founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the Midwest together in Des Moines. Synergy! Collaboration! Momentum!
Rooms filled with people dreaming big, who can help you dream even bigger.Lily Allen, Dueñas
Founder of the Wild Yoga Tribe & Marketing Specialist at Ramco Powered By Sukup
While NewBoCo takes great pride in hosting EntreFEST as Iowa's summer gathering (June 11, 12 in Iowa City) of our entrepreneurs and experts, it is very easy to get excited about a Fall extravaganza that promotes, informs and celebrates Midwest Regional Entrepreneurs, Support Resources, and Ecosystem. Full steam ahead for Iowa Startup Week'26!
Alex Taylor
Director of Entrepreneurship, NewBoCo
Save your place
Save your place
Invest in Iowa.
Discover What Comes Next.
Invest in Iowa.
Discover What Comes Next.
Invest in Iowa.
Discover What Comes Next.
Great ecosystems grow through connection. Iowa Startup Week brings together the people building the future of innovation in the Midwest, and invites investors to be part of it early.
We’d love to welcome you.
We’d love to welcome you.
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?
© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.
© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.
© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.
© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.