ISW2026 for Startups
ISW2026 for Startups
Build Momentum with Investors, Advisors & Talent
Build Momentum with Investors, Advisors & Talent
Whether you’re shaping your first idea, scaling a growing company, or navigating the messy middle of startup life, this week is designed to give founders and builders real momentum. You’ll leave with new connections, practical insights, and the kind of energy that only comes from being surrounded by others doing the same hard work.
Whether you’re shaping your first idea, scaling a growing company, or navigating the messy middle of startup life, this week is designed to give founders and builders real momentum. You’ll leave with new connections, practical insights, and the kind of energy that only comes from being surrounded by others doing the same hard work.
Accelerate Your Business
Accelerate Your Business
Why Startup Founders & Operators Should Attend
Real Conversations with Other Builders
Iowa Startup Week brings together entrepreneurs at every stage, from first-time founders to exited teams. Expect honest conversations about wins, failures, pivots, fundraising, hiring, and growth. No gatekeeping, no posturing, no egos. Come ready to share (and learn).
Real Conversations with Other Builders
Iowa Startup Week brings together entrepreneurs at every stage, from first-time founders to exited teams. Expect honest conversations about wins, failures, pivots, fundraising, hiring, and growth. No gatekeeping, no posturing, no egos. Come ready to share (and learn).
Real Conversations with Other Builders
Iowa Startup Week brings together entrepreneurs at every stage, from first-time founders to exited teams. Expect honest conversations about wins, failures, pivots, fundraising, hiring, and growth. No gatekeeping, no posturing, no egos. Come ready to share (and learn).
Real Conversations with Other Builders
Iowa Startup Week brings together entrepreneurs at every stage, from first-time founders to exited teams. Expect honest conversations about wins, failures, pivots, fundraising, hiring, and growth. No gatekeeping, no posturing, no egos. Come ready to share (and learn).
Connections That Turn Into Opportunities
Meet new customers, potential co-founders, early hires, customers, investors, and collaborators, all in one place. The most valuable moments happen between sessions: over coffee, during community events, or in spontaneous conversations that lead to long-term partnerships.
Connections That Turn Into Opportunities
Meet new customers, potential co-founders, early hires, customers, investors, and collaborators, all in one place. The most valuable moments happen between sessions: over coffee, during community events, or in spontaneous conversations that lead to long-term partnerships.
Connections That Turn Into Opportunities
Meet new customers, potential co-founders, early hires, customers, investors, and collaborators, all in one place. The most valuable moments happen between sessions: over coffee, during community events, or in spontaneous conversations that lead to long-term partnerships.
Connections That Turn Into Opportunities
Meet new customers, potential co-founders, early hires, customers, investors, and collaborators, all in one place. The most valuable moments happen between sessions: over coffee, during community events, or in spontaneous conversations that lead to long-term partnerships.
Practical Learning You Can Use Immediately
Real Conversations with Other Builders
Real Conversations with Other Builders
Sessions focus on actionable topics founders care about, including:
Sessions focus on actionable topics founders care about, including:
Finding product–market fit
Customer acquisition and growth
Fundraising and capital strategy
Hiring and team building
Marketing and storytelling
AI, technology, and product development
Founder wellness and resilience
Finding product–market fit
Customer acquisition and growth
Fundraising and capital strategy
Hiring and team building
Marketing and storytelling
AI, technology, and product development
Founder wellness and resilience
This week is designed to provide founders with actionable insights they can apply immediately to their startup businesses.
This week is designed to provide founders with actionable insights they can apply immediately to their startup businesses.
A Stronger Support Network
Building a startup can feel isolating. Iowa Startup Week helps founders realize they’re not doing it alone. You’ll meet people who understand your challenges and can become part of your ongoing founder community long after the week ends.
A Stronger Support Network
Building a startup can feel isolating. Iowa Startup Week helps founders realize they’re not doing it alone. You’ll meet people who understand your challenges and can become part of your ongoing founder community long after the week ends.
A Stronger Support Network
Building a startup can feel isolating. Iowa Startup Week helps founders realize they’re not doing it alone. You’ll meet people who understand your challenges and can become part of your ongoing founder community long after the week ends.
A Stronger Support Network
Building a startup can feel isolating. Iowa Startup Week helps founders realize they’re not doing it alone. You’ll meet people who understand your challenges and can become part of your ongoing founder community long after the week ends.
Who Should Attend?
Iowa Startup Week is designed for builders across the entire startup journey:
First-time founders exploring a new idea
First-time founders exploring a new idea
First-time founders exploring a new idea
First-time founders exploring a new idea
Early-stage startups seeking traction
Early-stage startups seeking traction
Early-stage startups seeking traction
Early-stage startups seeking traction
Growth-stage founders scaling teams and revenue
Growth-stage founders scaling teams and revenue
Growth-stage founders scaling teams and revenue
Growth-stage founders scaling teams and revenue
Indie hackers and product builders
Indie hackers and product builders
Indie hackers and product builders
Indie hackers and product builders
Developers, designers, and technical creators
Developers, designers, and technical creators
Developers, designers, and technical creators
Developers, designers, and technical creators
Startup employees and early team members
Startup employees and early team members
Startup employees and early team members
Startup employees and early team members
If you’re creating something new — you belong here.
If you’re creating something new — you belong here.
Community-Led, Founder-Focused
Community-Led, Founder-Focused
Built by Iowans, for Iowans
This event is designed by a team of experienced operators who understand the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
That means:
That means:
Conversations over presentations
Conversations over presentations
Collaboration over competition
Collaboration over competition
Accessible, welcoming environments
Accessible, welcoming environments
Local connections with lasting impact
Local connections with lasting impact
Get to Know Iowa's Ecosystem
Get to Know Iowa's Ecosystem
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
Come Build With Us
Come Build With Us
If you’re serious about building something: a company, a product, or your next chapter as a founder, Iowa Startup Week is here to help you grow.
Join hundreds of founders and builders coming together to learn, connect, and move forward.
If you’re serious about building something: a company, a product, or your next chapter as a founder, Iowa Startup Week is here to help you grow.
Join hundreds of founders and builders coming together to learn, connect, and move forward.
"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
Your Next Step Starts Here
Your Next Step Starts Here
Your Next Step Starts Here
The startup journey is challenging, unpredictable, and incredibly rewarding. The right community can make all the difference.
Iowa Startup Week is your chance to find it.
Iowa Startup Week is your chance to find it.
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.
© 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.
© 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.
© 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.
© Iowa Startup Week. All rights reserved.