New event offers opportunity for early-stage Iowa companies to practice business pitches
July 20, 2016 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Cedar Rapids-based EDC, a business accelerator and organizer of Innovation EXPO, announced the addition of PitchLab to its slate of events scheduled for the 6th annual EXPO on Wednesday, October 26th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex.
PitchLab will replace Pitch & Grow as the kick-off event to the day-long EXPO. A total of 10 startup and early-stage Iowa-based companies will pitch their businesses to panels of area business experts for feedback and refinement. Audience members will use Iowa City-based Pear Deck for interactive feedback. The panels will select a “winner” from each room to pitch in a pitch-off event at the EXPO.
Last year, Innovation EXPO drew the largest crowd in the event’s history—just over 700 entrepreneurs, inventors, investors, students, business and community leaders from across the state (and beyond) attended the day-long event held at the Coralville Marriott. The EXPO also features Iowa Venture Capital Association’s Iowa Seed & Venture Forum, where eight entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses to a panel of seed and venture capital experts, and EDC’s Entrepreneur Showcase, which will feature 100 Iowa-based companies of all stages in a tradeshow format.
EDC, Inc. President & CEO, Curt Nelson, acknowledged the importance of the event for the area’s business community. “We are pleased to continue to expand Innovation EXPO. The event is a unique opportunity for Iowa’s fast-growing and innovative businesses to network with each other and develop partnerships that could help them scale at a faster rate. It is also a chance for established business leaders to meet these entrepreneurs and learn more about new products and technologies being developed right here in Iowa. PitchLab will provide very early-stage entrepreneurs with a venue to hone their pitches and get exposure for their new businesses.”
Entrepreneurs can apply to pitch at PitchLab here: https://www.edcinc.org/pitchlab-application/. For more information about Innovation EXPO or to register to attend, visit: www.innovationexpo2016.eventbrite.com.
Innovation EXPO 2016 is sponsored by the following:
Principal Sponsor: Iowa Economic Development Authority
Major Sponsors: AlphaGraphics, Bankers Trust, Kirkwood Training & Outreach Services,
and UI JPEC
Supporting Sponsors: Bradley & Riley PC, City of Cedar Rapids, City of Coralville, City of North Liberty, CMA Ventures, Iowa Fund of Funds and UI Ventures
Friends of the EXPO: RSM US LLP, Next Level Ventures, Renew Rural Iowa and Shive-Hattery
About the Entrepreneurial Development Center, Inc. (EDC) www.edcinc.org
EDC was incorporated in 2003 as a community-sponsored, non- profit business accelerator. The company provides economic growth through the development and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprises and has successfully assisted nearly 800 Iowa-headquartered businesses. Its focus is on creating local wealth for area re-investment by growing and cultivating regional, national, and international businesses.
