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.
Join the Spring '26 Cohort
Evening program
7 weeks
$500
Per Startup or Business
Iowa Based
Companies only
Applications due
January 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)
February 27
10:00 – 4:00
Cedar Rapids
Orientation
March 5
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Virtual / Zoom
Branding
March 12
Spring Break
March 26
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Virtual / Zoom
Marketing
April 2
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Virtual / Zoom
Sales (Process & Execution)
April 9
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Virtual / Zoom
VC, Fundraising, & Next Steps
April 17
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 January 15
- Applicants will be notified about an interview by Friday, January 23rd
- Interviews will be scheduled during the weeks of January 26th – February 6th
- Final cohort members will be notified by Monday, February 9th
- Payment ($500) must be received by Monday, February 23rd
Payment is non refundable.