Seven of the state’s largest funding organizations are joining forces to put on this year’s iteration of the annual Iowa Entrepreneurs Conference and Venture Forum next Tuesday and Wednesday, October 5-6, at the Polk County Convention Center in Des Moines.
The host organizations include Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Fund of Funds, and Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. See full list at regonline.com.
Doug Lewis, who works in the Entrepreneurial Development group at the Iowa Department of Economic Development, is facilitating much of the planning for the event. Lewis took a few minutes out of his schedule to give us an update on the event.
Silicon Prairie News: What is the purpose of the conference?
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Doug Lewis: The conference has been renamed to the Iowa Entrepreneurs Conference and Venture Forum. The Iowa Venture Forum (Tuesday) connects capital with the best entrepreneurial opportunities in Iowa. The Iowa Entrepreneurs Conference (Wednesday) connects entrepreneurs with the best ideas and resources to help their business grow.
Photo from our video interview with Lewis this past May: Doug Lewis on Iowa’s entrepreneur resources & targeted industries.
Who should attend the conference and what should they expect to get out of it?
Anyone who is involved with starting a business or growing a business or have clients who are involved in business. This is a great conference to network and meet others in Iowa and surrounding states.
What part of the conference are you most excited about?
We have a great line up of speakers including many Iowa entrepreneurs. We will have a terrific session on women entrepreneurs this year. Our keynote speakers James Altucher, Bill Bolster and Joe Crookham are world class thought leaders on entrepreurism.
More details are available at the conference’s registration website: regonline.com.