2000 Iowa Venture Capital Conference

The Iowa Department of Economic Development, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers, and Equity Dynamics presented Iowa’s first annual venture capital conference on Wednesday, September 6, 2000 at the Des Moines Marriott. The Ames Economic Development Commission, MidAmerican Energy Company and Ernst & Young co-sponsoring the event.

The Conference brought together Iowa’s entrepreneurial community by offering companies, investors and entrepreneurial students a broad range of networking opportunities, informational workshops, and professional presentations.

The objectives of the conference were to train Iowa’s entrepreneurs on how to succeed, train Iowa’s investors on how to make sound investment decisions, and to educate Iowa’s students about entrepreneurial opportunities in Iowa.

Steve Carter, director of the ISU Pappajohn Center said, "This is a one of a kind opportunity to hear first hand from Iowa’s most successful entrepreneurs as they describe the challenges they have faced and how they overcame them." Carter also stressed that this is a fantastic opportunity, especially for students, to interact with successful business people and venture capitalists.

The featured speaker was John Pappajohn, President of Equity Dynamics, Inc. and organizer of a venture capital fund that is well respected on Wall Street. He was named Iowa Business Leader of the Year in 1992 and entered the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 1996.

Clark McCleod, Chairman and CEO of McCleod USA, provided the breakfast keynote welcome. Governor Tom Vilsack also spoke about the future of entrepreneurship in Iowa following the Taste of Iowa luncheon.

Workshop sessions included panelists from the financial, investment, business consulting, and venture capital industries. Workshops are entitled Financing Entrepreneurial Ventures, Attracting the Right Money, and How to Build and Use an Entrepreneurial or Investor Network. A finale session, Entrepreneurial Success in Iowa, featured success stories of several Iowa entrepreneurs and how their deals were made.

The conference ended with a networking reception for all participants and the announcement of the Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition.

Pappajohn graciously announced that he would provide $5,000 in seed money awards to three Iowa students or student teams who develop viable business plans as a result of attendance at the conference.

For more information, please contact Judi Eyles at 515.296.6532 or eyles@iastate.edu.