Iowa Startup Accelerator
Real Tools. Real Coaching. Real Traction.
The Iowa Startup Accelerator (ISA) is a seven-week evening program designed to help founders and their startups strengthen branding, marketing, prospecting, sales, and revenue-growth strategies.
By the end of the program, participants will have a clear growth plan, measurable revenue progress, and a stronger position to pursue additional funding opportunities—whether that’s grants, investors, or bigger programs like Techstars or Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses.
Applications due August 15th
Evening program
7 weeks
$500
Per Startup or Business
Iowa Based
Companies only
Applications due
August 15th
What the Program Includes
- Educational workshops and presentations
- Prescribed readings and homework
- Pitch development and feedback
- Access to JPEC Venture Mentoring Services (VMS) for targeted industry and vertical coaching
- Networking and access to other ecosystem resources (accounting, legal, HR, software development, marketing, etc.)
- Website review and consultation
- Access to Vault Coworking space
- Potential access to additional funding resources as qualified
Schedule
(Subject to slight modifications depending on cohort needs)
September 26
10:00 – 4:00
Cedar Rapids
Orientation
October 2
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Virtual / Zoom
Branding
October 9
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Virtual / Zoom
Websites (UI/UX & SEO)
October 16
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Virtual / Zoom
Marketing
October 23
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Virtual / Zoom
Sales (Process & Execution)
October 30
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Virtual / Zoom
VC, Fundraising, & Next Steps
November 7
4:00 – 7:30 pm
Cedar Rapids
Demo Day and Celebration
To qualify for this program:
- The business must be Iowa-based (no older than 5 years).
- The Founder(s) must have completed Venture School or be able to demonstrate similar customer discovery experience with clear product/market fit.
- The business is generating revenue or has a functional prototype that can be marketed for pre-sales (LOI, MOU).
- Must successfully and thoroughly complete the application process.
Application Process:
- Application deadline is Friday, August 15
- Applicants will be notified about an interview by Friday, August 22
- Interviews will be scheduled during the week of August 25 – 29
- Final cohort members will be notified by Monday, September 8
- Payment ($500) must be received by Monday, September 22.
Payment is non refundable.