The state of innovation and entrepreneurship in Iowa depends on an ecosystem of stakeholders in corporate, risk capital, entrepreneurship, education and government. Innovation also often takes the form of continuous improvement — asking how an idea or approach that already works can be refined. During the annual innovationIOWA event on Thursday, panelists representing different stakeholder groups shared how Iowa can keep improving its positioning to support innovators at work here.

The 2024 innovationIOWA Magazine was unveiled at the event, and innovationIOWA award winners Wendy Wintersteen, Ph.D., and On With Life were recognized. View photos from the event

Panelists:
Jens Dancer, director of engineering, Gross-Wen Technologies
Jon Darsee, chief innovation officer, University of Iowa
Tej Dhawan, co-founder and managing partner, Plains Angels
Candi Karsjens, director, NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
Jeff Reed, founder and CEO, Momentum Studios

Watch a replay of the event