CEDAR RAPIDS, IA—DECEMBER 7, 2016—Curt Nelson, President and CEO of Cedar Rapids-based business accelerator Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), Manager of Iowa Seed Funds I & II, has been named President of the Iowa Venture Capital Association (IVCA). The IVCA was formed in late 2015 as a non-profit organization with 30 member companies that influence and contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the State of Iowa. The member organizations range from seed-stage to later-stage venture capital funds, providing critical capital to Iowa-based businesses; from start-ups to later-stage growth entities.
“Critical to the success of new high-impact businesses in Iowa is the capital and experience needed to fuel their aspirations. Capital secured from professionally managed funds provide both financial fuel and business expertise, increasing the success rate and the speed at which it can be achieved,” says Nelson.
IVCA meets formally twice a year: once in the fall at EDC’s Innovation EXPO and once in the spring around TAI’s Prometheus Awards; both events that showcase Iowa’s entrepreneurial successes.
“Curt played a leadership role in founding the IVCA and he has over a decade of history supporting venture capital creation and entrepreneurship in Iowa. He was the natural choice as President and we look forward to his leadership as we continue our mission,” Craig Ibsen, Managing Principal, Next Level Ventures and founding board member of IVCA.
About the Iowa Venture Capital Association (IVCA) www.iowaventure.org
As the voice of the Iowa venture capital community, the Iowa Venture Capital Association provides a meaningful platform for engagement and collaboration between its members to fulfill a shared goal of strengthening Iowa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additionally, the Association empowers its members and the entrepreneurs they fund by advocating for policies that encourage innovation and reward long-term investment in Iowa.
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 fuels economic growth through the development and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprises and has successfully assisted more than 800 Iowa-headquartered businesses. Its focus is on creating local wealth for area re-investment by growing and cultivating regional, national, and international businesses.
