WE BUILD COMMUNITIES

America’s SBDCs help make the dream of small business ownership a reality for more Americans — creating jobs and opportunities that build communities throughout the nation.

See how the America’s SBDC Iowa has served its communities.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Working with the SBDC was great! It is a free and convenient resource that helped us put together a plan. The banks were really impressed with the financial projections and it helped us to easily figure out if our project had any chance of success.

Joe Harren, Owner, J&J Custom Meats

UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

There have been two key relationships in turning the corner and becoming a thriving enterprise. One has been the Kirkwood SBDC and the other has been my Credit Union. I am so thankful to them both for believing in our Hands Up team.

Sue Tyrrell, CEO & Owner, Hands Up Communications

ACCELERATORS + INCUBATORS

With the help of the ISU SBDC, Gross-Wen secured $6.4 million through grants, debt and equity

Dr. Gross reached out to Ted Bair of the ISU SBDC, to learn how to best grow his business. Dr. Gross said, "The ISU SBDC helped us save time while helping to push things along and make everything go much smoother. Instead of zigzagging through, we had a straight path and the SBDC helped us stay focused and get everything done. I would encourage any new startup to sit down with the business advisors at the SBDC. The startup ecosystem in Iowa and particularly Iowa State University is outstanding."

MILLENNIALS + GEN-Z

Rural Entrepreneur brings small business tools to school children to build next gen entrepreneurs

The South Central Iowa SBDC worked in partnership with the Union County Development Association and Aspiring Entrepreneurs of Rural Iowa to prepare and present two interactive, week long entrepreneurial afternoon-camps for school-age children. During a pandemic, the first camp was a success and they plan to continue hosting more camps in rural communities across Iowa.

TECH DEVELOPMENT

FBB Biomed is taking on the challenge of defeating COVID-19 and future pandemics

With headquarters and manufacturing in Coralville, Iowa and a business office in Frankfurt, Germany, the company was created to manufacture laboratory-developed tests to screen and index RNA found in the bloodstream. UOI Regional Director Paul Heath and Tech Director Laurie Pieper of America's SBDC Iowa are working with Dr. Urnovitz to identify potential funding and contracting opportunities and to connect him with valuable resources.

COVID-19 RESPONSE

Shop Where I Live, online retail marketplace, expands to 13 states with 23 different sites

After a year of building and tweaking the original platform, Cherie Edilson joined the Iowa Startup Accelerator to expand the idea with the intent for a more nationwide audience and rebranded the marketplace as ShopWhereILive.com. With the help of the Kirkwood SBDC, they have launched other statewide ecommerce platforms for small retail businesses. They have also secured a contract with the Iowa Economic Development Authority to launch Shop Iowa to encourage e-commerce sales during the pandemic.

WOMEN- OWNED

Our SBDC Advisor helped us to overcome our fears and start our business that primarily serves the Hispanic community. He continues to help with our business plan and financial projections. He is our biggest cheerleader!

Jennifer Zupp-Smith & Jessica Zupp, Owners, Zupp & Zupp Law Firm, P.C. (along with staff)