Financial Resources

Ag Startup Engine

Ag Ventures Alliance

Ames Seed Capital

The premier seed program for agricultural startups provides access to a network of successful entrepreneurs, business professionals and advisors along with early seed round investment with a plan to enhance enterprise value.

A nationally recognized, farmer-owned organization focused on making early stage investments in innovative technologies that enhance on-farm profitability. Based in Mason City, Iowa, with a network of 350 farmer members, Ag Ventures Alliance has made 25 investments in 8 states.

Operated by the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, the fund provides equity-based funding for central Iowa startups at seed and early growth stages. Invested capital is provided by individuals and businesses primarily located in central Iowa.

InnoVenture Iowa

Iowa Corn Opportunities, LLC.

ISA Ventures

A $30-million co-investment fund to support early stage startup companies in biosciences, advanced manufacturing and information technology. The state's first public venture capital fund is uniquely positioned to close the gap in funding for early-stage Iowa startups.

An equity fund established by Iowa Corn Growers Association to make investments and facilitate new business development opportunities to benefit Iowa's corn growers.

A multi-stage fund with a balanced approach to growing Iowa-based companies, including early stage startups, rapidly growing young companies and expansion and later-stage companies.

Next Level Ventures

Plains Angels

Rural Vitality Fund

Next Level Ventures is a strategic investment firm which manages multiple funds, including Iowa funds that back the state's most innovative companies in sectors like agtech, datatech, fintech, healthtech and IoT.

A network of Central Iowa angel investors seeking opportunities to invest and grow with startups across diverse industries including medical device, medical discovery, pure technology, social, manufacturing, process improvement, agriculture, fintech, insurtech and more.

Created as a part of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation in partnership with other leading organizations, including Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, CIPCO and the Iowa Agriculture Finance Corporation to support the financing needs of Iowa's rural businesses.

SBIR/STTR Programs

Operated through BioConnect Iowa, the program is designed to increase the rate of successful grant applications for Iowa's innovative businesses seeking federal grants and contracts through the SBA's Small Business Innovation Research & Technology Outreach Programs.