After a two-year hiatus, the Iowa Startup Accelerator is returning this fall with a renewed focus on helping Iowa-based startups strengthen their branding, marketing, and sales strategies.
The seven-week program, operated by the New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo), begins in September. Applications are now open and will be accepted through Aug. 15.
The accelerator is designed for early-stage companies that are ready to scale. Qualified applicants must have completed customer discovery and established product-market fit, demonstrated through existing sales or viable prototypes. Startups should be prepared to secure Letters of Intent or Memorandums of Understanding for future sales.
“We’re excited to relaunch the Iowa Startup Accelerator after a two-year absence,” said Alex Taylor, director of entrepreneurship for NewBoCo. “Once customer discovery is complete, and product/market fit is established, this program is designed to help founders exponentially grow their revenues and build their sales strategies for long-term success.”
The program is structured to accommodate the busy schedules of startup founders. It includes an in-person orientation in Cedar Rapids on Sept. 26, followed by five weekly virtual sessions held Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The program concludes with a final in-person Demo Day on Nov. 7, where participants will pitch their businesses to an audience of entrepreneurs, mentors, and potential investors.
“This startup accelerator will fill a missing gap in our entrepreneurial ecosystem for startups who’ve moved beyond incubation and customer discovery, but don’t have enough sales traction to qualify for most funding opportunities or advanced accelerator programs,” said Eric Engelmann, general partner at ISA Ventures.
The Iowa Startup Accelerator was last held in 2022. Its relaunch is part of NewBoCo’s broader mission to support Iowa entrepreneurs and strengthen the state’s innovation ecosystem.
More information and application details are available at newbo.co/entrepreneurship/iowa-startup-accelerator.
