New Seven-Week Model Helps Iowa Entrepreneurs Scale Revenue and Expand Reach
The Iowa Startup Accelerator is evolving. Once focused on promoting bold ideas, the Cedar Rapids-based accelerator is now helping small businesses grow and thrive. Inspired by the University of Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center’s Venture School, the accelerator has launched a new seven-week program designed for already profitable companies ready to scale.
Founded in 2014 with $2 million in venture capital, the Iowa Startup Accelerator quickly became the state’s only accelerator, aiming to de-risk startups and accelerate growth. Over the years, it grew into the non-profit New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative, Inc. (NewBoCo), assembling a team of accountants, programmers, and marketing professionals to support its business cohorts.
Then came 2020. COVID-19 disrupted investment trends, and pre-revenue startups faced a shrinking funding landscape. “We basically had to re-invent what that accelerator would look like,” said Alex Taylor, NewBoCo’s director of entrepreneurship.
Taylor found inspiration in the University of Iowa’s Venture School, a flexible seven-week program that combines in-person and virtual sessions for working entrepreneurs. The model helps participants refine their products or services, but many graduates still lacked guidance on scaling their businesses.
The new Iowa Startup Accelerator focuses on branding, marketing, prospecting, and sales. Expert-led sessions cover topics such as user experience, social media marketing, and leveraging AI for business messaging. The program culminates in a Demo Day, where each cohort pitches their business to a panel of judges, with prizes awarded to the top performers.
Taylor’s goal is clear: equip graduates to scale their businesses and prepare them for programs like Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, which provides further training, funding opportunities, and a network of alumni mentors.
All pilot program participants are Iowa-based, representing diverse industries from payroll services to homeschool curriculum platforms. The program emphasizes peer feedback and accountability, with business owners regularly sharing insights and progress updates. “They’re data-dumping on each other all the time,” Taylor said.
For entrepreneurs like Keesia Wirt of Nevada, Iowa, the accelerator has been transformative. Founder of Circa Legacy, Wirt helps families preserve memories through books, interviews, and multimedia content. The program has helped her rethink marketing, sales, and client engagement, including creating interactive online family portals.
Applications for the spring 2026 program are open until January 15, with a tentative start date of February 27. Applicants must be Iowa-based, already generating revenue, and have a clear understanding of their business. “This is not for incubating ideas — this is for accelerating business growth,” Taylor said.
The Iowa Startup Accelerator is redefining the path for small business growth in Iowa, giving entrepreneurs the tools, mentorship, and confidence to scale successfully.
Conclusion: Iowa’s small businesses now have a powerful ally in the Iowa Startup Accelerator. If you’re a revenue-generating entrepreneur in Iowa, this program could be your next step to growth. Share this story, comment below, and stay connected to follow the latest updates from the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
