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the PULL #162

August 24, 2016

As promised last week, here are the details on our big Two Year Birthday Celebration coming up on September 2!

First of all, it's First Friday so that means free/open coworking all day (starting at 9 AM). Bring your laptop, and whatever work you've been putting off, and see how productive a change of scenery can be.

As fans of the Netflix series Stranger Things know, "mornings are for coffee and contemplation". In that spirit, we're trying out our own Coffee and Contemplation event where we'll gather in the Gravitate kitchen at 9 AM for coffee and donuts. We'll watch a short TED talk and then discuss how we can apply that theme to our work and community. Chief Hopper would be proud.

Gravitate member John Jackovin is going to drop knowledge on "How Not to Suck at Email" over lunch. He'll share his tips on the most effective and efficient ways to request an intro, schedule a meeting and communicate in a way that will make others eager to work with you! (BYO Lunch)

At 4:30 we're going to break out the beer, cupcakes, music and general birthday goodness. Thank you to the good folks at Exile Brewing Company and Crème Cupcake + Dessert for making our celebration awesome.  

Just like any First Friday at Gravitate, you're welcome to join us all day or just pop in for whatever part works best for you. We're really excited to mark this occasion and look forward to sharing it with you! Additional details on the Facebook.

Geoff

P.S. We've scheduled the next Des Moines Full Time Founders Meetup. We're hosting it here at Gravitate on Sept 21. If you're working full time on your startup idea or are far enough along with your side project that you're earning revenue from paying customers, we'd love to have you join us!

This week's edition is supported by the University of Iowa’s Venture School:

Are you an entrepreneur with a great idea but aren’t sure how to turn it into a successful business? Then the University of Iowa’s Venture School program is for you! Venture School increases your likelihood for success and reduces the risk of starting your business! Learn more or apply today.
Economic Development Board approves awards to support nearly $244 million in capital investments in Iowa
IowaEconomicDevelopment.com (August 19)

As part of this month's Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board action, six entrepreneurial assistance organization were awarded grant funds from the State's Entrepreneurial Investment Awards program.

Recipients include:

  • Iowa State University's StartUp Factory (Ames): $200,000
  • Square One DSM, a program of the Greater Des Moines Partnership: $200,000
  • NIACC's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Mason City): $100,000
  • NewBoCo (Cedar Rapids): $75,000
  • Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce: $200,000
  • Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group: $25,000
Starting point: UNI’s incubator lets young companies develop
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Jim Offner, August 22)

Last spring the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Business Growth and Innovation "graduated" four companies—iTracking Research, Dyton Creative Inc., Follow Your Strengths, and Red Lab Technologies—from its Innovation Incubator. During their time in the program, the incubator helped companies focus in on their customers' needs and market their products. The incubator, which has been operating since the 1990s, knows that stays of three to five years are not uncommon.

“They might graduate to Millrace or id8 or be prepared to go into an office in the marketplace and not necessarily wrapped around another support group,” Paul Kinghorn, director of the Regional Business Center and Entrepreneur Outreach, told The Courier.

“It’s about belonging and support, so we’re continuing to work with others in the community to put programs and events on that source new entrepreneurs with new ideas and also make connections to assist entrepreneurs as they develop.
Investors sought for salmon farm near Harlan
RadioIowa (Dar Dainielson, August 17)

The Ames-based salmon entrepreneurs behind aquaculture startup Inland Sea are seeking investors to bring a Danish system to the western Iowa community of Harlan. According to Jackson Kimle, vice president for business development of the company, the indoor recirculating aquaculture system will produce 5.3 million pounds salmon with annual earnings between $4 and $7 million. Jackson says the company chose western Iowa due to its location and access to resources.

“Iowa is very centralized between a lot of large metropolitan areas," he told Radio Iowa. "And then with the development of feed ingredients over the long run here in the midwest, it’s the spot to be — especially with energy feed and distribution, its’ a fantastic spot."
Coffee Shop Coworking: Mahalo's Coffee & Mini Donuts
Megan Bannister


When it comes to finding coffee in West Des Moines, you’ll be hard-pressed to find someplace that’s not a chain. So when it comes to setting up shop in a cafe to do a little coworking, you may not be overwhelmed with options.

Enter Mahalo’s Coffee & Mini Donuts. Located in a strip mall off Mills Civic Parkway and buffered by a Quizno’s and a day spa, the small shop may not immediately be a place you would think of to get work done. But Mahalo’s free wifi, comfortable environment, and (let’s be honest) easy access to mini donuts makes it a great place to pop in for some powdered sugar coated productivity.
Gravitate is a community of more than 0 people who care about startups, technology and innovation in Iowa. We're glad you're here.

The Pull is curated by Geoff Wood and produced with help from Megan Bannister. I think you'll be okay here, they have a thin candy shell. 'Surprised you didn't know that.

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