Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it can’t be done differently.
After five years of hosting a monthly meetup and recording an interview with a local entrepreneur, Square One DSM and its monthly Startup Stories event is turning into a podcast, hosted by Mike Colwell, the director of entrepreneurial initiatives for Square One DSM.
Colwell is the long-time host of Startup Stories who said as the Des Moines startup ecosystem has matured and podcasting has become more convenient, he felt it was time to change formats.
“Get people and their stories out there but also about what they learned, what did you take away, what didn’t work?” Colwell says. “I personally want to hear what doesn’t work, why make the same mistake twice?”
Starting this month there will be two podcasts a month, one recorded live during the monthly meetup and another recorded in a studio. The guest for March is Amos Peterson, CEO of FarrPro, an Iowa City-based AgTech company.
Christina Moffatt, founder of Des Moines-based desert bar Creme and Director of Small Business Resources at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, will rotate hosting the twice-monthly podcast.
To listen to the first podcast, click here.
Impacting the community
When Colwell first moved to Des Moines in 2007 he remembers a startup ecosystem with very few companies and even less mentors and angel investors. Most startups that did gain traction, would leave Iowa for the East or West coast.
But he said the economic downturn in 2008 helped boost the number of people joining the startup ecosystem in Des Moines and the launch of the Global Insurance Accelerator in 2014 increased the number of mentors available in the ecosystem.
“It brought in a lot more mentors,” Colwell says. “And what I’ve seen is maturity, we’ve got more startup people mentoring startup people now. I’ve seen startup folks have an exit, come right back and do it again.”
Colwell said the Greater Des Moines Partnership has shifted from more offering more education-based resources and events to more programming specific to founders and current business owners. He focuses on mentoring and said the raising capital seminar—held twice a year—and an event like Accelerate DSM can help entrepreneurs grow their network and hopefully, their businesses.
“We focus more on local,” Colwell says. “This is about building a business and mentoring each other. So you may meet somebody who can help you that lives two miles from you.”
Colwell said Square One DSM and the Greater Des Moines Partnership chart how much capital they directly impact to companies each year. A typical year is anywhere from four to six million dollars each year.
In 2018, Colwell said they are on track to do more than $10 million, bringing the total to over $30 million since 2007.
“I am seeing a lot more later stage rounds, which tells me we are getting that build of companies that are maturing passed the seed money,” Colwell says.
What’s next for Iowa
Colwell says Iowa companies have more access to seed capital than ever before. And that the capital is coming from all directions.
“We see more funds looking at Iowa,” Colwell said. “That shortage of seed is starting to be filled by people outside of the area. And it’s healthy competition.”
Colwell said there is a lot of value to the Innovation Fund and Angel Investor Tax Credits and hopes those programs continue.
“I wouldn’t push much more because I don’t think a lot should come from the government to begin with,” Colwell says. “The corporations can do a little more, I’d like to see more get involved.”
But even as more resources become available, the shortage of technical talent is going to be something discussed for the next five years.
“We are still way cheaper than the Valley,” Colwell says.
Past Startup Stories coverage
Startup Stories: FarrPro CEO Amos Peterson on saving baby pigs – March 22, 2018
Powerpollen: An AgTech startup turning a problem into a solution – Jan. 22, 2018
Startup Stories: Buying and selling land through Terva.Ag – Nov. 21, 2017