Three Iowa City and Coralville startups received state funding through the Iowa Economic Development Authority to advance medical technology, agricultural innovation and workplace safety solutions, the agency announced Sept. 19.
Coralville-based NeuroPed Inc. secured a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance loan to develop its post-stroke management technology. The company’s software platform, which integrates with electronic health records, predicts cognitive and behavioral outcomes from localized brain damage to help clinicians design targeted rehabilitation plans. The award will support intellectual property development, proof of concept work, product refinement and market and entry activities.
Iowa City’s Harvest Increase Agriculture Inc. received a $100,000 Demonstration Fund loan for its SUPRGrow fertilizer additive designed to boost corn and soybean yields. The sulfide-based seed treatment aims to provide farmers with a cost-effective solution for enhanced plant growth. Funds will support proof of concept work, key personnel and market planning and entry activities.
Inseer Inc., also based in Iowa City, was awarded a $500,000 Innovation Acceleration Propel Fund loan through Iowa’s State Small Business Credit Initiative. The company’s proprietary artificial intelligence computer vision system analyzes workplace movement data to enhance safety, improve ergonomics and boost productivity in manufacturing environments. The funding will primarily support key personnel.
Other communities receiving IEDA assistance included Altoona, Ankeny, Eldridge, Fairfield, Knoxville and Waukee for various economic development projects. Destination Iowa grants were awarded to projects in Bondurant, Shenandoah and West Des Moines, while Community Attraction and Tourism grants went to initiatives in Lenox, Newton and Louisa County.
