Iowa Startup Week
About this Event
Where Builders, Backers, and Innovators Convene
Iowa Startup Week (ISW) is a statewide movement built for founders, by founders. this event serves to connect, amplify, and grow Iowa’s startup community, bringing every corner of the state together, the builders, the backers, the students, the dreamers - for a week of real connection, honest conversation, and momentum that doesn’t stop when the week ends.
From September 28 to October 1, Iowa Startup Week takes over downtown Des Moines, featuring programming, pitches, and networking across three (3) venues downtown. Think of it as a city-wide festival for people who build things.
What to Expect
The conference spans agtech, climatetech, insutech, supply chain & logistics, and more - speakers across industries woven throughout each day. You’ll hear from founders who’ve been where you are, investors actively looking for the next big thing, and ecosystem builders committed to making Iowa a place where great companies are built and stay.
Four days of programming includes:
• Keynote speakers and opening sessions
• Concurrent breakout tracks across Adv. Manufacturing, Bioscience, and IT
• Buyer’s Club Showcase with Best of the Midwest finalist selection
• Founder/VC breakfast and investor networking
• JPEC 30-Year Anniversary Celebration + ISU Startup Factory 10-Year Bash
• Evening events, parties, and hosted happy hours
• Best of the Midwest Pitch Competition Final: October 1st at Hoyt Sherman Theater
Best of the Midwest Pitch Competition
The week culminates on October 1 at the historic Hoyt Sherman Theater in Des Moines with the Best of the Midwest, the region’s largest pitch competition for startups in technology, manufacturing, and bioscience. Selected finalists will compete for a non-dilutive prize purse in front of investors, industry leaders, and the full ISW community. This is a show worth watching whether you’re in the competition or cheering from the crowd.
Want a piece of the action?:
Tickets
General Admission $99
- Access to all Iowa Startup Week conference programming
- Entry to the Opening Reception, JPEC 30-Year Anniversary Party and all Sculpture Park activations throughout the week
- Confirmed ticket to the Best of the Midwest pitch competition at Hoyt Sherman Place
- Conference badge, welcome kit and access to the ISW mobile app
VIP Experience $249
- Invitation to the VIP Happy Hour + Sponsor Reception on Sep. 30th
- Reserved seating at the Best of the Midwest pitch event
- VIP Lounge at the Opening Reception
- Access to VIP-only “Meet and Greet” with keynote speakers
- Early access to limited-seating opportunities via the ISW mobile app
- Invitation to join the Buyer’s Club (closed door) pitches on Sep. 30th
Want a free ticket? .
Who Should Attend
Iowa Startup Week is built for founders, investors, ecosystem builders, and anyone who believes in what’s being built across this state. If you’re a founder looking for talent, mentorship, or capital — this is your event. If you’re an investor looking for deal flow and the next great Midwest company — this is your room. If you’re an economic developer, educator, exited founder, or public official — you belong here too.
No startup required. Just show up ready to build something.
More Information
Website: iowastartupweek.com
Email: [email protected]
Terms & Conditions
By purchasing a ticket to Iowa Startup Week 2026, you agree to the following terms:
Refund Policy
Tickets are refundable in full upon written request submitted to [email protected] no later than September 23, 2026, three (3) business days prior to the start of the event (September 28, 2026). Requests received after this deadline will not be eligible for a refund. Ticket transfers to another attendee may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis; contact us prior to the event. Eventbrite’s standard service fees are non-refundable.
Media Release & Right to Record
By attending Iowa Startup Week 2026, you grant Iowa Startup Week and its authorized representatives the irrevocable right and permission to photograph, video record, livestream, and/or audio record your participation, likeness, voice, and image at any event during Iowa Startup Week 2026 programming (September 28 – October 1, 2026). You agree that Iowa Startup Week may use, reproduce, distribute, publish, and display such recordings and images in any media format — including but not limited to social media, websites, press releases, promotional materials, sponsorship decks, and future marketing campaigns — without compensation or further notice. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, it is your responsibility to notify event staff on-site.
Intellectual Property
All event content, branding, programming materials, presentation decks, and media produced by Iowa Startup Week are the property of Iowa Startup Week. Attendees may not record, reproduce, or redistribute official event content without express written permission.
Event Details Subject to Change
All event details — including schedule, speakers, venues, programming, and activities — are subject to change without notice. Iowa Startup Week will make reasonable efforts to communicate material changes in advance. In the event of a cancellation by Iowa Startup Week, registered attendees will be notified, and refund options will be provided.
Conduct
Iowa Startup Week is committed to an inclusive, respectful environment. We reserve the right to remove any attendee whose conduct is deemed disruptive, harmful, or inconsistent with our community values, without refund.
Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Iowa. For questions, contact [email protected].
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 299.00
