America's Cultivation Corridor

What makes Iowa THE place to build meaningful relationships and businesses? Well, to start, we have a leading research institution, long-standing food and agriculture businesses, the most productive farmers, a thriving start-up ecosystem, people who want to make Iowa a special place to live ... and that's just the beginning. See for yourself: https://lnkd.in/ghzadBUz #WhyIowa #innovation

Cultivo helps international scaleups navigate finance systems and establish tax strategies in the U.S. ?? This week, our nine UK cohort members had a tailored look at funding and tax topics with local experts Aaron Boyer, CPA, Eide Bailly LLP, and Liz Keehner, Next Level Ventures. The group's discussion continued in an insightful roundtable with Mike Upah, Ames Seed Capital Fund, and Anne McMahon, Iowa Economic Development Authority. Thank you to our speakers as well as our sponsors Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa State University Economic Development and Industry Relations, BioConnect Iowa and Beck's Hybrids for making this session possible. Learn more about Cultivo > https://lnkd.in/gFS-qu_Z

Our #Cultivo Virtual Academy is made possible by outstanding sponsors! Thank you Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa State University Economic Development and Industry Relations, BioConnect Iowa and Beck's Hybrids for your support in making this innovative program possible. ?? ?? Learn more about how Cultivo prepares global scaleup companies for entry into the U.S. ag, food and bioscience market >? https://lnkd.in/gFS-qu_Z

It is an honor to recognize Joel Harris as the winner of the 2025 Iowa Biotech Leader Award! We are proud to sponsor this award and celebrate his lasting impact on Iowa's biotech industry and his vision for the future of Iowa innovation. Harris is the co-founder and CEO of Genvax Technologies and executive director of the Ag Startup Engine. See more about his work > https://bit.ly/4hdvzkr

Iowa entrepreneurs, founders and startup enthusiasts - there's still time to register for Techstars Startup Weekend DSM! Held at Maple Studios from March 28-30, the collaborative event invites participants to develop and pitch a new startup idea all while building valuable connections in the Iowa ecosystem. Register > https://lnkd.in/gnxyytvb

Cultivo helps international scaleups grow their footprint in the U.S. This week, our UK Cohort learned about expediting market entry by building momentum through alliances and partnerships. ?? Thank you to the following speakers for the open discussion and insights: - Secretary Mike Naig, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship - Colin Hurd, MACH - Brad Fruth, Beck's Hybrids - Nathan Brewer, KENT? Corporation - Dan Cosgrove, venture partner Thank you to our speakers as well as our sponsors Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa State University Economic Development Industry Relations, BioConnect Iowa and Beck's Hybrids for making this session possible.

Our #Cultivo program goes beyond providing advice to give concrete examples and connections that help scaleups actually build the trust, establish the networks and find the partners they need as they enter the U.S. marketplace. See more about this hands-on approach in our latest column from Billi Hunt > https://lnkd.in/gfjYdYp3.

We're looking forward to World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco next week! The show is a fantastic opportunity to share why Iowa is THE BEST place in the world to grow the next generation of ideas, technologies and innovations that will allow agriculture to meet the needs of a growing world population in a sustainable way. Will you also be attending? We'd love to meet with you! Send us a note at https://lnkd.in/gi3PGyFV or make plans to visit our booth to connect with teams Iowa from Iowa State University Research Park, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Greater Des Moines Partnership and BioConnect Iowa. #WorldAgriTech #agtech

The availability of venture capital funding is an important element to supporting entrepreneurs and fueling a cycle of innovation. As Principal at Next Level Ventures, Liz Keehner is playing a key role in the growth of funding opportunities in Iowa. She leads the firm’s Midwest investment strategy, which includes the launch of its third Iowa venture fund. Learn how the fund benefits the state's startup eocsystem and why Keehner thinks Iowa stands apart in our latest #WhyIowa > https://lnkd.in/gcpChvQG

Our February newsletter is out now! Read it here > https://conta.cc/4hSZvDJ ?? Meet the fifth #Cultivo Virtual Academy cohort ?? Leadership insights from our Executive Director Billi Hunt ?? A Why Iowa?Q&A with Liz Keehner, Next Level Ventures ?? Topline findings from out Food & Agriculture Perceptions Study ?? An inside look at the impact of Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory ?? Plus, more industry updates! Want to receive our monthly newsletter straight to your email? Subscribe > https://lnkd.in/gYyd53-g #newsletter #WhyIowa #agtech #bioscience