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TAI announces 2022 public policy priorities, Legislative Launch

November 22, 2021

The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) has announced its 2022 public policy priorities and Legislative Launch date.

“The Iowa technology industry is eager to prioritize smart cybersecurity and privacy in the 2022 Iowa legislative session, along with our continued efforts for talent development, inclusion, and supporting innovation,” said Brian Waller, President of TAI in an announcement.

TAI will host its Legislative Launch on February 16, 2022, at the AC Hotel by Marriott Des Moines East Village in Des Moines, Iowa. Tickets will be available in January 2022.

TAI 2022 Legislative Initiatives:

Advance policies that attract human and financial capital to Iowa.
Elevate Iowa (rural and urban) as the premier state for technology workforce.
Promote policies that foster a culture of diversity and inclusion.
Ensure Iowa’s technology curriculum for K-12 through college is the best in the nation.
Lead efforts toward smart cybersecurity and privacy legislation.

TAI 2022 Legislative Priorities:

Connectivity: Facilitate high-performance internet connectivity using the best available technologies for all Iowans.
Education Access: Support programs, such as Future Ready Iowa, that connect Iowans to the training and education required for good-paying jobs and careers to improve people’s lives.
IEDA Funding: The Iowa Economic Development Authority instills growth and success of Iowa businesses and communities through various forms of funding, including Innovation and Angel Investor tax credits.
Emerging Technologies: Support the investment, development, implementation, and utilization of emerging technologies in Iowa.

TAI will also host the second season of Iowa Tech Policy Podcast, TAI’s legislative podcast covering technology-focused legislation during session at the Iowa Statehouse. The podcast will launch in January 2022.

TAI announces 2022 public policy priorities, Legislative Launch | Clay & Milk

A central Iowa ag-tech accelerator has secured more backers and finally has a name. The Greater Des Moines Partnership first announced the accelerator last year, naming four initial investors. On Monday, the Partnership said the program will be called the "Iowa AgriTech Accelerator" and named three new investors. The new investors include Grinnell Mutual, Kent Corp. and Sukup Manufacturing, all Iowa companies. They join investors Deere & Co., Peoples Co., Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Co. and DuPont Pioneer. Each investor has agreed to put up $100,000 for the first year of the accelerator. Startups entering the program will receive $40,000 in seed funding in exchange for 6 percent equity. Tej Dhawan, an angel investor and local startup mentor, is serving as interim director until the AgriTech Accelerator names a permanent leader. Dhawan held a similar role with the GIA before Brian Hemesath was named as managing director. As interim director, Dhawan said his main job includes hiring the accelerator's executive director, establishing a business structure and initial recruiting for the first cohort. The accelerator will place few filters, such as location and product, on the applicant pool, Dhawan said. "When you’re seeking innovation, innovation can come from every corner of the world so why restrict ourselves," he said. One area the the AgriTech Accelerator won't recruit from is biotech. For its first cohort, the AgriTech Accelerator will work out of the GIA's space in Des Moines' East Village, Dhawan said. A future, permanent home is still to be decided. The accelerator's program will host startups from mid-July through mid-October, ending with an event connected to the annual World Food Prize. The GIA, which the AgriTech Accelerator is based on, also ends with presentations at an industry event. The accelerator has also started lining up a mentor pool. The Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Pork Producers Association have agreed to provide mentors, as has Iowa State University. While the AgriTech Accelerator is loosely based off of the GIA, it will differ in its business structure, Dhawan said. The GIA runs through a for-profit model for both operations and its investment fund. The AgriTech Accelerator will have a nonprofit model for its operations and a for-profit setup for its fund. Dhawan said the nonprofit model is being used so the accelerator can better work with other nonprofit partners, such as trade associations. "These are all organizations that are nonprofits and can be amazing stakeholders without ever having to be investors in the accelerator," he said. "It becomes easier to work with trade associations in their nonprofit role when we are also a nonprofit." When it's up and running, the AgriTech Accelerator would be one of a handful of ag-focused startup development programs in Iowa. Others include the Ag Startup Engine out of Iowa State University and the Rural Ventures Alliance from Iowa MicroLoan. Matthew Patane is the managing editor and co-founder of Clay & Milk. Send him an email at mpatane@clayandmilk.com.

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