Iowa Startup Collective Roundup
Entrepreneurship through the lens of Iowa writers and creatives
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Welcome to the Iowa Startup Collective, a bimonthly roundup of entrepreneurship from the lens of Iowa writers and creatives
Thanks for joining a movement to connect, inspire, and celebrate Iowa’s ever-expanding community of entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators.
We have been busy since our last post, which launched it all!
This week I’m excited to introduce four new writers to the Iowa Startup Collective and a fresh new roundup of stories, perspectives, and a bit of nostalgia too.
But before we do, did you catch the recent Iowa Writer’s Collaborate interview with Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie? Based in San Francisco, Substack has emerged from a startup (launched 8 years ago) to a unicorn, changing the way writers, creatives, and readers get smarter and create a subculture from the mainstream news and art waves.
I was excited to ask Hamish how they maintain their integrity while facing investor pressures (Andreessen Horowitz is their lead VC, a name familiar to DSM from their investment in Dwolla). We also heard more about what an exit looks like. I appreciated Art Cullen’s question on how can Substack save the local, independent newspapers, including his own at the Storm Lake Times Pilot.
I’d encourage you to listen in.
Meet our newest voices at the Iowa Startup Collective
Kevin Kimle: Connecting historic case studies to present-day entrepreneurial activities in Iowa
In his first post, Kevin dives into American entrepreneurship from the mind of Founding Father, George Washington. He draws from the complicated history of alcohol to Washington’s Distillery, which many might not recall the connection to Mount Vernon, Iowa.
Follow along, as Kevin not only sharpens the minds of his students at Iowa State University but reminds us not to overlook some of history’s most inspirational figures of entrepreneurship.
Jay Cooper: We Are All EntrePartners
As one who has organized countless startup and business events for his community in Iowa City, Jay Cooper writes about the practical in his first post about the varying pitch competitions for young startups.
His column offers tips, tricks, and a bit of advice to get your entrepreneurial neurons firing. Get ready!
Clayton Mooney: Open Clayton
As a means to save founders some heartache, founder Clayton Mooney writes about his shared experience in the startup and technology world here in Iowa.
In his recent post, he dives into why he believes startups fail, using naivety as a superpower, and how finding the best version of yourself helps you never quit in the long game of growing a business.
Adam Viet: Iowa’s Startup Silo
I love how Adam Viet’s opening post spotlights how Iowa’s startup ecosystem is quietly fueled by an essential player—its universities. He makes the case that despite the challenges in higher education, Iowa has the opportunity to double down on keeping its talent and startups in its backyard.
Follow along as Adam explores Iowa’s startup ecosystem by sharing practical advice, entrepreneurial event insights, and lessons from both successes and failures.
The Iowa Startup Collective Roundup
Sree Nilakanta poses an interesting question in his latest: are startups only for young people? He dives into why second-act entrepreneurs can have a higher success rate.
Story link: Are Startups only for young people? Can older founders succeed?
Tej Dhawan is staying creative and busy in his “active retirement” as he shares the stories of Lighthouse Communications and Matt Ostanik of Submittal Exchange & FunnelWise.
Story link: Flyover country for the world’s electrons Story link: Matt Ostanik
For your dose of nostalgia, I enjoyed the latest post about the early days of the startup community in Des Moines through third spaces, such as the beloved Amici coffee house.
Story link: Placemaking…for startups
Coming soon: Look for the next Startup Iowa Hot List to drop tomorrow!
Join the Iowa Startup Collective! If you are interested in being a writer or are already publishing content via a different channel (podcast, blog, articles, etc), please fill out the interest form here.
Proud to be a partner of the Iowa Writer’s Collaborative
Jay Cooper: We Are All EntrePartners
Tej Dhawan: A cultural record of Central Iowa’s technology
Kevin Kimle
Mikayla Mooney: Ag Startup Engine
Clayton Mooney: Open Clayton
Sree Nilakanta
Adam Viet: Iowa’s Startup Silo
Kaylee Williams
Diana Wright: Startup Iowa Hot List and Iowa Startup Collective
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this Substack are my own and those of each writer. The views do not reflect my employer or place of work.