Local and Regional Resources

Advance Iowa is the State of Iowa's comprehensive consulting program designed to work with midsized companies to enhance their growth. The program assists firms in overcoming their obstacles and helps to identify new opportunities. 

 Through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, America’s Seed Fund awards non-dilutive funding to develop your technology and chart a path toward commercialization. 

Entrepreneurs and small business owners now have access to an information specialist who can assist you in finding solutions to your most pressing questions by facilitating connections to the right people, data, and resources. 

The Center for Rural Affairs' mission is to establish strong rural communities, social and economic justice, environmental stewardship, and genuine opportunity for all while engaging people in decisions that affect the quality of their lives and the future of their communities.

The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) is the industrial extension arm of Iowa State University.  The CIRAS mission is to enhance the performance of Iowa industry by providing the latest education, research, and technical assistance. 

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a program for small businesses that links learning to action. Through the program, participants will gain practical skills in topics such as negotiation, marketing, and employee management that can immediately be put into action. 

Hub 712 offers coworking space, business support services, innovation services, meeting space, and team building activities. Everything we do helps businesses launch, grow, and remain competitive.

 IASourceLink is the premiere business resource in Iowa for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Free business webinars, expert advice, and a searchable directory of organizations that assist Iowa businesses can all be found on IASourceLink.  

Iowa Economic Development Authority offers funding and tax credits  to demonstrate a proof of concept for an innovative technology, accelerate the pace of market development, research activities, and more.

 ​The Iowa Center is an economic development organization that empowers Iowans to launch, manage, and grow small businesses. 

ISU Startup Factory is designed to help businesses bring new products to the market and work with companies to make them attractive to outside capital investors. 

Kiva Iowa is a microlending platform that helps diverse small businesses across Iowa access affordable capital and small business resources.

 Explore MBDA's commitment to fostering growth for America's minority business enterprises, fueled by our mission to create an economy of equal opportunity.

 NBDC helps strengthen Nebraska businesses for a healthy economy and prosperous communities.  

The certified Targeted Small Business (TSB) program is designed to help women, individuals with minority status, service-connected disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities overcome some of the hurdles to start or grow a small business in Iowa.  

 Iowa JPEC's Venture Mentoring Service uses the Team Mentoring methodology licensed from the MIT Venture Mentoring Service (MIT VMS) to link entrepreneurial ventures with experienced mentors. Entrepreneurs meet with a team of volunteer mentors in ongoing, confidential meetings. 

 SourceLink Nebraska, a program of the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) at the University of Nebraska Omaha College of Business Administration, coordinates a comprehensive resource network dedicated to fostering business growth and entrepreneurship within Nebraska. 

Are you an entrepreneur or small business in need of free, confidential, and customized business counseling? Contact SBDC for advice on developing a successful business plan.  

Siouxland Economic Development Corporation offers financial assistance programs and services to assist small and medium sized businesses in getting started or expanding. 

Springboard Coworking offers shared office space for entrepreneurs that combines the best elements of cafe culture with a productive, functional, and affordable work environment.