In this episode of the Iowa Tech Podcast, host Micah Walker welcomes Gabe Howard, the third fellow of the InnoVenture Iowa Fund, to discuss his experiences and insights into venture capital and the Iowa entrepreneurial ecosystem. Gabe shares his background, growing up in a small town outside Rockford, Illinois, and eventually attending Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He discusses how his family’s construction business and his interest in entrepreneurship led him to venture capital.
Gabe highlights his journey at Drake University, where he interacted with business professors who fueled his passion for entrepreneurship. He recounts a pivotal moment when Kaylee Williams, a notable figure in the venture capital community, visited his class and inspired him to pursue the fellowship opportunity at InnoVenture Iowa.
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Micah and Gabe delve into the specifics of the fellowship experience, discussing the process of reaching out to founders, the importance of a strong pitch, and the challenges of early-stage investment. Gabe emphasizes the significance of understanding a startup’s team and the problem it aims to solve. He shares insights on the human aspect of venture capital, stressing the importance of a good relationship between investors and founders.
Towards the end, Gabe reflects on how the fellowship shaped his career aspirations, steering him towards a path in venture capital. He expresses his desire to continue working in the VC space, ideally in Colorado, and appreciates the supportive environment provided by InnoVenture Iowa.