By Jayne Armstrong, District Director, U.S. Small business Administration's Iowa District Office After his hometown of Clinton, IA, (population 25,719) was devastated from the International Paper plant closure in 2001, resulting in 355 lost jobs, Bob Simpson saw an opportunity for a niche market business utilizing the experienced professionals who remained...
By Cally Reed, Program Associate, UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation SwineTech an Iowa-based company located in Cedar Rapids, is bridging the health knowledge gap between producers and pigs through sensor based technologies. Founder and CEO Matthew Rooda, has won several business pitch competitions and garnered investor attention...
By: Lea Hensel, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, UNI Business and Community Services Entrepreneurial pitch competitions happen year round all over the world but this month in Iowa, EntreFEST is hosting one of the most exciting pitch competitions for start-ups and early stage entrepreneurial endeavors through a partnership with the five John...
By Cally Reed, UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation The U.S. Small Business Administration has been in the business of supporting small businesses since 1954. by providing access to capital, opportunity to contract with the government, and no-cost business counseling. With at least one SBA office in every state, they...
By Lea Hensel, Business and Community Services Every year, the U.S. Small Business Administration honors small businesses throughout the country and 2018 is no different because on April 29 - May 5, 2018, National Small Business Week will be taking place. With the annual traditions of the weeklong celebration also comes...
Amy Kuhlers, Program Manager, Iowa Economic Development Authority Along with showers and flowers, April brings us the start of National Small Business Week, recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. This month we visited with 2016 SBA award recipient, Lynn Schrader, co-owner of KHI Solutions with offices...
Entrepreneur Spotlight Feature: Freedom Blend Coffee - Opened Sept 13, 2017 Carlos Sims Jr., Coffee Roaster, General Manager Written by Cally Reed, UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation What if I told you that there is a way to help break the cycle of poverty by drinking your morning coffee? Freedom...
By Amy Kuhlers, Iowa Economic Development Authority On any given Wednesday morning in Iowa, small business owners, emerging entrepreneurs and the people that support them can be found gathering around cups of coffee and good conversation. Discussions wander along paths of inspiration, lessons-learned struggles, excitement and issues involved with starting a...
By Patrick Luensmann, UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation The team at the Center for Business Growth and Innovation loves the opportunity to highlight and support businesses throughout Iowa. One way that we get that chance is through Dream Big Grow Here. Dream Big Grow Here is a...
"By: Amy Kuhlers, Program Manager and Network Builder, IASourcelink Companies that start apprenticeship programs are taking a long view at training for necessary skill sets and are helping to fill much needed jobs in many industries. To get a better take on the process, we interviewed two companies that have Registered...
