Technology, entrepreneurship, and friends – can this get any better?
“I had no idea that this whole startup community exists, it’s amazing how supportive everyone has been with my business idea and the number of opportunities out there to help me,” was a quote I recently captured from Mike Clancy, a teacher at Muscatine High School who was attending a TechBrew networking event in Iowa City for his innovative test-prep startup company he and several others created while attending a Startup Weekend. When I heard this, I immediately felt joy. This is what it is all about. No matter which door an entrepreneur passes through into our startup community with, they should feel supported and loved. While we were chatting, Mike was able to connect with Greg Williams, a patent attorney and angel investor, to talk law and financing about his business startup.
TechBrews are one of my favorite such “gateways” to our Iowa entrepreneurial family. It’s welcoming to people both inside and outside the industry who wish to innovate and move our state forward. This was just one small example of the power of these events. As it turned out, a teacher with a startup dream was able to talk with an angel investor and attorney- pretty amazing stuff, right?
This month, IASourceLink proudly sponsored all of the TechBrew events going on in Iowa. It’s because we understand the power and serendipitous development that can and will occur when really talented people get together to chat (of course, the free beer and food is great as well!). These events are terrific for entrepreneurs of all stripes, and they are available in many Iowa locations- the Cedar Valley, North Central Iowa, Central Iowa, and Western Iowa to name just a few. There is a TechBrew easily within driving distance of almost every community in our state.
Come join us at a TechBrew this month, and be sure to pick up one of our pizza cutters too! Be sure to pull one of the hardworking Technology Association of Iowa staff aside and let them know how much you appreciate their support of events like TechBrews. We here at IASourceLink sure do!
p.s. If you weren’t able to get one of our awesome pizza cutters at a TechBrew this month, shoot me an e-mail with your mailing address and I’ll make sure you get one!
Rob Williams is a Program Manager at the Center for Business Growth and Innovation at the University of Northern Iowa
