In response to COVID-19, the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator has extended the deadline for applications to its 2020 accelerator cohort from March 30, 2020, to May 1, 2020.
“We are constantly exploring new ways of providing a quality program every year,” says IATA Executive Director Nadilia Gomez. “We want the best for our startups and – during difficult times like these – there’s even more reason to be flexible, focus on quality and find creative ways to foster the innovation needed to keep Central Iowa in its role as one of the nation’s top regions for agtech development.”
“We believe agtech innovation can come from anywhere and, although a proportion of our startups are international, given travel restrictions this year we are particularly encouraging Iowa-based entrepreneurs to apply,” Gomez says.
New board member
The AgriTech Accelerator board also welcomed new member, Grant Kimberley, to his first term as External Board Member.
“The great group of high-quality companies and individuals that are involved with this board, along with the potentially great entrepreneurs that will apply for support, would be hard to replicate anywhere else,” Kimberley says. “As I have been around agriculture all my life and have a passion for maintaining Iowa’s leadership in this field, I found the mission of the accelerator to be very interesting.”
Kimberley serves as the Senior Director of Market Development for the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and the Executive Director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board.
“Grant brings a depth of industry knowledge to the IATA Operating Company Board that will be invaluable to the organization and our future cohorts of agtech businesses,” said Rachel Geilenfeld, External Relations Manager at Sukup Manufacturing Co. and IATA Operating Company Board Chair. “Adding another active farmer to our board validates IATA’s direct connection to agriculture.”