ManchesterStory Group, an early-to-growth stage venture capital firm making investments in companies in InsurTech and adjacent sectors, announced this week that Nicole Gunderson is joining the firm as a Principal on their investment team.
“I am proud and honored to join the outstanding team at ManchesterStory during this incredible period of change in insurance,” said…
University of Iowa assistant professor Casey DeRoo has received a grant from NASA to develop mirror technologies for X-ray astronomy.
DeRoo will study a technology that would put tiny adjusters on the back of the mirrors used in X-ray telescopes. Because the mirrors are so thin—less than a millimeter—they can easily be bent or deformed while…
Heartland Express announced Monday the acquisition of Contract Freighters Inc.’s (CFI) truckload unit and its logistics unit in Mexico from TFI International for $525 million. The deal does not include CFI’s dedicated trucking business or its U.S. brokerage operations.
The $525 million purchase is the largest in Heartland Express history, according to a news release from Heartland.…
Digital Diagnostics, an artificial intelligence diagnostic healthcare technology company, announced this week that it has successfully closed a $75 million Series B funding round.
Global investment firm KKR led the round, with participation from new and existing investors, including Cedar Pine, Kinderhook, 8VC, Optum Ventures, OSF Ventures, Gundersen Health System, Edward - Elmhurst Health Venture Capital, and the University of Iowa.
The $75 million…
Sabanto, a Midwest-based farm autonomy company, has raised $17M in Series A funding.
The round was led by Fulcrum Global Capital, with participation from DCVC Bio, Hico Capital, Yara Growth Ventures, Cavallo Ventures, Johnsonville Ventures, and Trimble Ventures.
Sabanto automates small farming equipment such as tractors with between 60 and 90 horsepower. The company also…
The sixteenth annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition awarded $100,000 in cash prizes to nine Iowa startups on Friday, August 12.
The competition is a collaborative project of the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers located at Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa and the University…
27 Iowa companies have been named to Inc. Magazine’s 2022 list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies.
Companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2018 to 2021. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2018. Iowa companies that made the list reported…
The Iowa Energy Center (IEC) announced $1,051,872 in grants to four projects at last week's board meeting.
“Iowa is fortunate to have diverse energy resources, innovative companies and academic institutions, and a collaborative spirit,” said Debi Durham, director of the IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “Today, the Iowa Energy Center supported projects…
The Iowa Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship is hosting several events this fall for student entrepreneurs. Here are some of the entrepreneurial events happening at the University of Iowa this fall.
Startup Incubator Open House
The Startup Incubator Open House is an open house for students interested in entrepreneurship or starting their own business. Iowa JPEC…
The ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship is hosting several events this fall for student entrepreneurs. Here are some of the entrepreneurial events happening at Iowa State University this fall.
ISU Innovation Prize
The ISU Innovation Prize is an incentive competition at Iowa State University on the weekend of September 30 – October 1, 2022. The Iowa State Pappajohn…
Genvax Technologies, a startup animal vaccine company located in Ames, has secured $6.5 million in series seed funding. United Animal Health led the financing round with participation from Johnsonville Ventures, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Summit Agricultural Group and Ag Startup Engine.
Founded in Feb. 2021, Genvax is developing a non-living vaccine composed of self-amplifying…
The Department of Management Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) has released a new broadband internet map for the state of Iowa.
The newly released map gives an updated look at the current condition of broadband internet access in the state.
The publication of the map commences a 30-day challenge process where the public, broadband providers, and communities throughout…