Business
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Iowa’s biggest stage for entrepreneurs
When it comes to startup-land and entrepreneurial-focused events, does it seem like the discussion always revolves around big Series A raises, venture capitalists, and adding the word “Silicon” to everything? Jan Finlayson, Event Director of EntreFest explains what Iowa’s largest entrepreneur event is all about. Jan Finlayson, the event manager and lead for EntreFest, discusses…
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Can you train Ai to recommend your small business? yes.
Iowans are using ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Grok to answer questions about where to find local products or services. As a business owner do you have any control over what they say or recommend? Yes. In fact, you can do a lot for free, says Drew Harden, CEO and founder of Blue Compass. As your…
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New Bank Iowa CEO: big banks saturating Iowa is good for business
Bank Iowa has a new CEO. South Dakota farm kid, Jason Herrboldt grew up 10 minutes from Iowa and the state finally captured him. He answers Bank Iowa’s crypto plans, and addresses rising competition from big National Banks saturating Iowa, stable coins and FinTech threats. Herrboldt explains their investment mix, how they plan to stay…
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Who’s hiring who? Ai is screening resumes but is that good?
Who’s hiring who? Ai is screening resumes but is that good or bad for candidates and companies? Adam Viet of Big Creek Growth pulls back the curtain on broken HR processes and how Ai could help companies recruit better, but could just as easily hurt recruiting if CHROs aren’t careful. For years, recruiters have used…
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SBA Week: 90%-Backed Loans & Ripping Red Tape
What the heck is small business week? SBA Regional Administrator Brad Zaun explains exactly how the agency guarantees loans through local banks, cuts red tape, and delivers free counseling, especially for rural and manufacturing entrepreneurs. Zaun highlights the new 90% food production loan program for meat processors, grocery stores, and local manufacturers to drive down…
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Meet Hubbell Realty’s new CEO: Kyle Gamble
He’s officially 30 days in. Meet Kyle Gamble, the brand new CEO of Hubbell Realty. Gamble touches on the future of their business, why downtown will come back, and what technology they’re looking at to lower housing costs. Gamble believes Central Iowa’s competitive edge lies in a high quality of life that outweighs the “young…
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Ai At Work: the information your company relies on is getting corrupted
Most company leaders are on guard as private information is shared with Ai tools, but most are unaware Ai can corrupt the information they use to make decisions. Chris Draper, founder of Morrigan Ai says innocent Ai use today, can cement inaccurate information tomorrow in company databases, CRM tools, project management, and other tools forever.…
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Energy joins healthcare as growing business Iowa concern
The ABI Survey results are out and energy is now a growing concern alongside healthcare and talent acquisition for Iowa leaders. Nicole Crain, President of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), breaks down fresh Q2 survey data out today. To be clear, energy is cheap and accessible in Iowa, but Iowa business leaders…
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Dubuque developer blurs lines between property owner and investor
While some small downtowns across the country are dying, towns like Dubuque, Iowa are growing. John Gronen, founder of Gronen Development explains how their role has evolved into a hybrid of a state economic development, tourism office, and investment firm. Gronen’s approach has been profitable, but isn’t solely focused on the numbers. He doesn’t see…
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Iowa’s top CEOs are cautious as they face volatility, Ai changes, and tariffs.
Iowa’s top 21 CEOs are in between a rock and a hard place. They want to continue their traditional calculated approach, the reason for Iowa’s dependable economy, but face new market volatility, a weekly-changing regulatory landscape, Ai disruption, and future energy concerns. Is it time for change? Joe Murphy, President of the Iowa Business Council…