Entrepreneurial Assistance

It's your business but don't think you have to go it alone. Many financial assistance programs exist to get your business the capital it needs. Funds may be available from state-sponsored programs, individual investors or other sources.

• Grow Iowa Values Financial Assistance Program — Serves as the funding source for projects that are focused on job creation or retention, value-added agriculture and entrepreneurial efforts. This program, combined with Iowa’s nationally recognized business climate, tax incentives and proactive state government make Iowa a great place to do business.
• Demonstration Fund — Provides financial awards up to $150,000 to encourage commercialization activities by small and medium-sized Iowa companies in the advanced manufacturing, biosciences, and information technology industries. The fund is designed to encourage product refinements, market planning and market entry activities of unique products to foster competitive, profitable companies that create high paying jobs and wealth in Iowa.
• Entrepreneurial Venture Component — The entrepreneurial component provides financial assistance and/or technical assistance to early-stage businesses that are developing a new product or new technology.
• State Small Business Credit Initiative Programs — The U.S. Department of the Treasury moved to support business lending in Iowa when it announced that the state would receive funding under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Iowa's planned use of the SSBCI funds will help create new private sector jobs and spur additional small-business lending in the state.
• Targeted Small Business Assistance (TSB) — Designed to assist in the creation and expansion of certain Iowa small businesses.

Additional Programs

• Direct Financial Assistance
• Employee Training Programs — Leverage training resources to help Iowa companies maintain their competitive edge.
• Tax Incentives — Iowa's pro-business outlook is reflected in the state's tax climate and competitive programs for companies located within our borders.

Additional Resources

The Guide to the Iowa Innovation Resource Network contains an organizational index and directory listing of over 280 organizations and programs that exist to help entrepreneurs in the state – sources of investment capital and business and technical assistance.

• Guide to the Iowa Innovation Resource Network (complete guide) [PDF: 27MB]
• Innovator Financing Guide [PDF: 14MB]
• Startup's Guide to Intellectual Property [PDF: 3.4MB]

To learn more about Iowa Innovation, E-mail iic@iowa.gov.