The Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Economic Development team specializes in assisting businesses with relocating or expanding their operations in Central Iowa. Through specialized industry research, partnerships with local, state, and national entities, and comprehensive assistance in site selection, the Partnership is the place to start when looking at relocation or expansion.
An educated and skilled workforce is the key to success for any business or organization. The Partnership focuses on fostering opportunities for to enhance Central Iowa’s workforce through education, outreach, personal and professional development, and public policy initiatives.
The Partnership provides a multitude of business resources that will enhance any business environment. Through these tools, organizations have the opportunity to develop a work culture that is effective, inclusive, and innovative.
Downtown Des Moines is ever-evolving. The city is alive and thriving with numerous opportunities for entertainment, recreation, and growing businesses.
Learn more about what makes Greater Des Moines an amazing place to live and work. The region boasts numerous amenities and a low cost of living. You can do more in Des Moines.
Central Iowa has a thriving startup and entrepreneurial scene.
Use these resources to connect and engage with the local startup network. The Partnership provides local small businesses with resources that enable growth and prosperity. Every startup enterprise or entrepreneurial endeavor has the potential to one day become a major employer. Let’s get building.
Support Resources
Area 515 Maker Space
Provides an environment that promotes the creative use of technology for the benefit of art, science and culture. Area515.org
Emerge
A venture accelerator for pre-seed to early-stage ventures. Member ventures are not confined to any particular technology or industry, with assistance typically taking the form of targeted micro-investment and technical expertise.
IncubatorinaBox.org
Global Insurance Accelerator
A mentor-driven accelerator designed to foster innovation in the insurance industry through startups targeting the global insurance markets. GlobalInsuranceAccelerator.com
Gravitate
An entrepreneurial center of gravity in Downtown Des Moines featuring low-cost, high-density coworking, collaboration and event space. GravitateDSM.com
Iowa Small Business Development Center
The center offers free, confidential, customized advice for entrepreneurs and small business owners. IowaSBDC.org
Iowa Sourcelink
Provides information to connect emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses with resources to help with your organization’s growth and development needs. IASourceLink.com
Look Local First
Initiative that encourages shopping and doing business locally and seeks ways to bring 5% of out-of-area spending back to strengthen our local economy.
LookLocalDSM.com
Square One DSM
Helps entrepreneurs maximize their successes through navigating resources, improving skills, forming strategic alliances and securing proper capitalization. SquareOneDSM.com
Startup Iowa Chat
An online resource for entrepreneurs to connect, stay up-to-date, get help with their business plan and more. StartupIowaChat.com
Technology Association of Iowa (TAI)
Dedicated to fostering innovation and promoting the success of organizations that develop and deploy technology across industry sectors. TechnologyIowa.org
West Des Moines Incubator
Formed to foster a climate for entrepreneurial activity and to assist in the growth of small businesses within West Des Moines and includes office space and monthly speakers. WDMBusinessIncubator.com
Sources of Capital
Plains Angels
A group of Iowa-based Midwest angel investors dedicated to providing outstanding financial returns to accredited angel investors while assisting early-stage growth companies by being an excellent source of funding and advice. PlainsAngels.com
Education
Celebrate! Innovation Week (DMACC)
A week-long celebration to promote creative and innovative thought. Students and the general public can engage in a variety of concurrent sessions and direct interaction with presenters and keynote speakers from across the nation.
DMACC.edu
Kauffman Founders School
The Kauffman Founders School taps the potential of online education, presenting a robust curriculum from which entrepreneurs can learn anywhere, anytime. Subject experts present lectures that are embedded in modules designed to give founders a rich learning experience, engaging them in lessons that will make a difference in what they do in their business today, tomorrow, and in the future.
KauffmanFoundersSchool.org
Media
Des Moines Business Record
The Business Record covers technology, innovation and the startup scene related to economic development. BusinessRecord.com
Des Moines Register
The Tech/Innovation section covers the latest in the Iowa startup scene.
DesMoinesRegister.com/Tech
Events
1 Million Cups
Each Wednesday, the 1MC program offers local entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their startup to a diverse audience of mentors, advisors and entrepreneurs. 1MillionCups.com/DesMoines
Accelerate DSM
A day of learning, sharing and networking for entrepreneurs and innovators. AccelerateDSM.com
CodeDay
A 24-hour event where students passionate about technology form teams and build applications. CodeDay.org
Global Insurance Symposium
An international event focused on big ideas in the insurance industry, including a focus on innovative ways that startup companies can work on creative solutions for the industry. GlobalInsuranceSymposium.com
TechBrew
A monthly gathering bringing entrepreneurs, technologists, business people and funders together to talk while enjoying a beer. Hosted in communities across Iowa. TechnologyIowa.org
Startup Drinks
An interactive and dynamic networking event encouraging discussion of a variety of rotating topics that affect entrepreneurs and startup enthusiasts. Facebook.com/dmStartUpDrinks
Startup Weekend
A weekend-long, hands-on experience where entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs pitch ideas, form teams and start companies. StartupWeekend.org
