[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px”][text_output]For the second year in a row, we have received $50,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. Our goal is to use the funds to continue to grow and support Iowa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Here are the next great leaps we plan to make in order to support the startup community in Iowa:
- Ramp up corporate innovation programs. This initiative connects existing corporations with the startup community.
- Support more female entrepreneurs. Iowa ranks dead last in the number of female entrepreneurs, and we want our state to have an inclusive entrepreneurial community.
- Improve the investor climate in Iowa. Integrating investors into our thriving startup community will ultimately strengthen and grow our entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The two Iowa-based organizations that received this funding are the Entrepreneurial Development Center and ISA, both of which call Cedar Rapids home. Our success in Cedar Rapids shows the startup strength in Eastern Iowa as well as the support that stems from the vibrant and diverse community here.
We are honored to be one of 11 accelerators to receive this funding again.[/text_output][/vc_column][/vc_row]