Startup Forum – How to Win the $100,000 InnoVenture Challenge

How to Win the $100,000 InnoVenture Challenge

A conversation with four (4) Challenge judges about what makes a “winning application”, what to avoid and how to best position your startup company for the big stage in December.

The InnoVenture Challenge is the state’s largest pitch competition for early-stage, Iowa-based startup companies in bioscience, advanced manufacturing and information technology. Applications are open until September 25, and questions can be directed to challenge@innoventureiowa.com.

Click Here for the Startup Roundtable Interest Form

Panelists:

Levi Rosol

CEO at We Write Code

Levi Rosol, the CEO of We Write Code in Des Moines, Iowa, is a visionary entrepreneur and technology enthusiast who has been instrumental in shaping the city’s digital landscape. With a strong foundation in computer science and programming, Levi founded We Write Code to bridge the gap between creativity and technology. Under his leadership, the company has become a leader in software development, serving a diverse clientele from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Beyond his role as CEO, Levi is a passionate advocate for the local tech community, actively supporting events and educational initiatives. His commitment to innovation, community, and philanthropy makes him a respected figure in both the tech industry and Des Moines, where he continues to drive the future of technology.

Bernie Stone

President, Strategic Scouts Consulting & Managing Owner, Strategery Holdings

Bernie Stone is a retired military officer and Zebra investor. He is passionate about helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals, and works with many small businesses to assist them in creating wealth for their shareholders and communities. Stone also serves as a City Leader for Bunker Labs Des Moines. In this role, he equips, mentors, and connects Veterans and Military Spouses with resources to help them start and grow successful businesses. As an International Political Strategy professional with high-level experience in foreign affairs and national security policy, extensive overseas experience in Europe, Central Asia, and East Asia, Stone is an experienced and multi-cultural advocate for startups in Iowa. He has served in five U.S. Embassies and was awarded the Medal of Merit from the Republic of Lithuania.

Megan Brandt

Director of Maple Studios

Megan is the Director of Maple Studios, a startup studio based in West Des Moines, Iowa for industrial technology startups and early-stage companies. The member-based support system at Maple Studios helps companies fast-track their development as a business by removing many of the challenges an entrepreneur typically faces with day-to-day administrative needs, infrastructure and access to industry intelligence. Prior to Maple Studios, Megan spent six years helping to build and manage the Global Insurance Accelerator, an early-stage startup accelerator program aimed at fostering innovation in the global insurance industry. She earned an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University and an MBA with a focus in innovation and leadership from the University of Iowa.

Dan Cosgrove

Dan Cosgrove currently serves on the Investment Committee of InnoVenture Iowa, the state’s first publicly funded venture capital fund, and is Venture Partner at Radicle Growth, a venture capital fund focused sustainable, early-stage ag and food tech startups located in San Diego, California. He also sits on the Iowa Innovation Council (IIC) is an advisory group comprised of business leaders, public universities, representatives and community college officials.

Dan was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Growers Edge, a company that offers crop plans, embedded finance solutions, land valuation and proprietary software and data analytics tools to the ag industry. Prior to his role at Growers Edge, Cosgrove held leadership roles at Corteva Agriscience, including global lead, corporate development and licensing, vice president of business development, chief patent counsel, and various internal legal team roles. Early in his career, Cosgrove served practiced law at Zarley, McKee, Thomte, Voorhees & Sease, where he was a partner focusing on patent litigation