Vault Coworking in Cedar Rapids one of six incubators or coworking spaces in Iowa that will take part in the Iowa Startup Alliance, announced today. Photo courtesy of Vault.
Like wildfire or something else that makes for less trite similes but spreads in equally speedy fashion, coworking spaces and incubators seem to have swept across the Silicon Prairie in recent months. From Sioux City to Cedar Rapids, from the DSM to KCMO, there is, at present, a proliferation of the places opening their doors on the Prairie.
Now, for the startups and entrepreneurs involved in several of those spaces in Iowa, there are even more open doors.
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Six Iowa coworking and incubator organizations supporting startups and entrepreneurs today announced the Iowa Startup Alliance, a statewide cooperative agreement that allows residents of the incubators and coworking spaces within Iowa the ability to share the facilities and resources of peer organizations within the state. The arrangement aims to provide entrepreneurs a network of locations they can use when traveling within Iowa for customer or investor meetings, networking events and other functions.
Participating entrepreneurs and startups need only to reach out to the receiving facility in advance of their visit to arrange for space and resources. The duration, resources and space will vary from location to location, but all the host organizations promise that guests can depend on a warm welcome and the infrastructure they need to hit the ground running.
“We are excited to be part of the Alliance,” Startup City’s principals wrote in a blog post today, “and hope this helps strengthen the statewide collaboration between entrepreneurial resources.”
For those not familiar with all six organizations, here’s a quick rundown on each of them, courtesy of today’s press release:
Foundry Coworking
Foundry Coworking is a collaborative office space for startups, freelancers, and creatives in downtown Des Moines. While you can rent a desk anywhere, they strive to build community and collaboration to better all of their members. Contact: Alexander Grgurich, alexander.grgurich@gmail.com, on the web at foundrycoworking.com or by phone at 515- 321-9073
StartupCity Des Moines
StartupCity Des Moines is a technology startup incubator located on Silicon Sixth Avenue in downtown Des Moines. They provide active mentoring, educational curriculum, services, and a workspace conducive to peer sharing for their resident startups. Contact: Becky Mollenkamp, City Manager, becky@startupcitydsm.com, on the web at startupcitydsm.com or by phone at 800-834-0717.
Veel Hoeden
Veel Hoeden is Iowa’s first rural coworking space located in downtown Pella, serving the needs of startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. They provide a space where collaboration, community, and idea achievement can flourish. Contact: Joel Bennett, Chief Dreamchaser, veelhoeden@gmail.com, on the web at veelhoeden.posterous.com or by phone 641-780-7858.
Iowa State University Research Park
Iowa State University Research Park has provided space and business development services to start up and growth focused technology companies for 25 years. The result is an entrepreneurial support infrastructure composed of numerous peer businesses, professional services and University resources. Co-working facilities are provided at the Park’s incubator and consist of small private offices and Internet access. Additional resources may be available. Contact: Mike Upah at 515-296-7828 for more information. Learn more about the Park by visiting isupark.org.
UNI Innovation Incubator/Purple Cat Cowork
The Innovation Incubator at the University of Northern Iowa allows new companies the ability to develop linkages and a synergistic relationship with the university. With a convenient campus location, you and your firm will have an easy avenue to access the resources of UNI in a way that many start ups cannot. Our mission is to help start up firms in the Cedar Valley reduce their risks and accelerate their growth via technical assistance and the creation of a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Contact Dan Beenken at dan.beenken@uni.edu or 319-273-4322.
Vault Coworking & Collaboration Space
A joint venture of Corridor Coworks and Seed Here, Vault Coworking & Collaborations Space in Downtown Cedar Rapids is a brand-new flexible and affordable professional office space for entrepreneurs, creatives, freelancers and startup companies, all wrapped in a collaborative, friendly and supportive community of like-minded people. More info at crvault.com. Contact Andy Stoll at andy@seedhere.org or 424-888-2434.
