An industry expert gives feedback during a presentation at the Education Innovation Summit.
“I walked away with far more reliable feedback, resources, and ideas than at a 1 Million Cups or InnovateHER because everyone there was in my industry.”NewBoCo Director of Programs David Tominsky gives HowFactory CEO Trace Steffen a hug prior to How Factory’s presentation at the Transportation Innovation Summit.
The Innovation Summit Series is just another example of the incredible post-accelerator support you get from the ISA. Unlike other accelerator programs, the Iowa Startup Accelerator is with you before, during, and after the in-house program.”
Mark Reimer of EvenFlip talks to an industry expert after their presentation at the Manufacturing Innovation Summit.
From my experience, it is the same people at all of the startup events. At a certain point in your business, you need to start expanding your network to professionals or experts in your field. This was the first event I attended where I did not know the majority of the people in the room, which I saw as a huge positive.”
Jeri Frank of AssetRover discusses challenges in finance with industry experts at the Financial Technology Innovation Summit.
“The summit atmosphere was very open and inviting to having conversations between investors, established companies, and startups more so than other events. It seemed far more collaborative.”
Allison Poss of Girls With Ideas presents at the Education Innovation Summit.
So much of the startup world is a competition with people dangling funds or a title in front of you for lots of work. I liked that this was an opportunity to talk about ideas and real issues without any prizes or titles taunting me.
Experts have an industry leader roundtable discussion at the Manufacturing Innovation Summit.
“The Innovation Summit is a great opportunity to connect with and interact with leaders in the community in a comfortable environment and have the opportunity to really hear what the industry is lacking or needing.”
The KinoSol team talks to an industry expert at the Food & Agricultural Innovation Summit.
“More than anything, this startup event was extremely intimate. For once, I got the opportunity to really speak with everyone in the room and actually make some good connections.”
Eric Pahl of ORGANizer demonstrates the team’s app to the Healthcare, Medical, & Biomedical Innovation Summit audience.
“I liked how it wasn’t competitive and there was was no “prize.” The prize is the opportunity to pitch to high-net-worth and industry-experienced individuals.”
Western Wise’s Catherine Heasley and Emily Roberts present at the Education Innovation Summit.
“The “exclusiveness” to only industry leaders and investors is really what made the Innovation Summit stick out from just any pitch competition. Getting advice from people other than a random self-proclaimed entrepreneur because he’s watched every season of Shark Tank is really awesome. We received excellent feedback because it was specific and coming from reputable professionals in our sector. That’s the feedback that makes a significant impact.”
NewBoCo Director of Development Kaitlin Oswood welcomes industry experts to the Food & Agricultural Innovation Summit.
“Anytime that you can get in front of a room of investors, you’re going to get great feedback. The Innovation Summit combined sales opportunities with investor presentations in a unique setting.”
Dr. Derek Lyons of DNP-123 takes notes during a breakout session at the Manufacturing Innovation Summit.
“Anytime that you can get in front of a room of investors, you’re going to get great feedback. The Innovation Summit combined sales opportunities with investor presentations in a unique setting.”
ABOUT THE BLACKSTONE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Innovation Summit Series would not have been possible without the support from the Innovation Grant awarded to NewBoCo by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation.
The Blackstone Charitable Foundation was founded at the time of Blackstone’s IPO in 2007 with substantial commitments from the Firm’s employees. Influenced by the enterprising heritage of the firm and its founders, The Blackstone Charitable Foundation is directing its resources and applying the intellectual capital of the firm to foster entrepreneurship in areas nationwide and globally. Through its investment expertise across several asset classes and geographies, Blackstone has a unique perspective on the global economy and a heightened understanding of how entrepreneurial activity is often the crucial catalyst in the growth of successful businesses, industries and communities. For more information, see http://www.blackstone.com/foundation.
ABOUT THE MEDQUARTER
The MedQuarter was the result of Vision Cedar Rapids Downtown Framework Plan 2007 (JLG Plan) and the 2009 Neighborhood Planning Process, which developed districts to help grow downtown Cedar Rapids. Its major medical providers— Mercy Medical Center, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital and Physicians Clinic of Iowa—are committed to developing Cedar Rapids as a medical destination, where many health care needs are met in one area of the downtown. Recently recognized as a top ten city in the nation that delivers high-quality, low-cost healthcare by the Institute for Health Care Improvement, the Cedar Rapids MedQuarter is intended to create jobs, fuel economic development, improve the city’s tax base and enhance the quality of life within the community. For additional information about the MedQuarter, please visit www.themedquarter.com.
About Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa
Founded in Cedar Rapids in 1997, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa (PCI) is one of Iowa’s largest private, multispecialty physician groups. Over 80 physicians, surgeons, and mid-level providers meet nationally recognized standards for education, knowledge, experience, and skills in order to provide the highest quality of care in a wide range of specialties and subspecialties. Learn more at www.pcofiowa.com.