Maple Studios sponsors iowa startup week
Great ideas rarely grow in isolation. They grow in rooms full of people willing to share what they know, make an introduction or ask a hard question. That is exactly the kind of room Iowa Startup Week creates.
Maple Studios is proud to sponsor Iowa Startup Week 2026. From September 28 to October 1, founders, investors and ecosystem builders from across the Midwest will gather in Des Moines for four days of live pitches, networking and conference programming. It is a big week for Iowa's startup community. We are glad to be part of it.
What Makes Iowa Startup Week Different
Iowa Startup Week is built around three platforms: technology, bioscience and manufacturing. Each platform includes industry-specific streams, so attendees can go deep on the topics that matter most to their business. That structure fits Iowa well. Our innovation economy is not only software. It includes people building smarter ag systems, new medical devices and advanced manufacturing processes. This event gives all of them a stage.
The 2026 streams cover a wide range of industries, including Agtech, Manufacturing, Water and Climate Tech, Medtech, Health and MedTech, Fintech, Cyber Security, Legal, and Sports and Music Tech. There are also streams on Marketing and Go-to-Market, Design Thinking and Youth + AI. Some of the most valuable sessions focus on the human side of building a company. Streams on Mentorship, Startup Psychology and Capital Conversations recognize that founders need more than a good product. They need support, perspective and access to the right people.
Where Builders, Backers and Innovators Meet
Iowa Startup Week is designed to bring every part of the ecosystem into the same place. Founders come looking for talent, mentorship and investment. Organizers expect attendees representing nearly 50 venture capital funds from around the country. Economic developers, educators, exited founders and public officials are part of the mix too. Founders also get the chance to learn from successful and exited entrepreneurs and connect with enterprise buyers. For an early-stage company, one of those conversations can change the trajectory of a year. The week also features Best of the Midwest, billed as the region's largest pitch competition for startups in technology, manufacturing and bioscience. Semi-finalists pitch live during showcases in Des Moines. Finalists then compete for a cash prize.
Why It Matters for Iowa
Every connection made during a week like this has a long tail. A founder meets a mentor who has solved the same problem before. An investor finds a promising deal close to home. A manufacturer meets a startup with the answer to a challenge on the shop floor. Those moments add up. They help talented people build here, hire here and stay here. That is how a startup community becomes a startup economy.
Where Maple Studios Fits
Iowa Startup Week lasts four days. Building a company takes years. Maple Studios is here for the work that happens between the big moments.
Maple Studios is a collaborative workspace in West Des Moines built for founders, freelancers and growing companies in tech, ag-tech and advanced manufacturing and more. Our space includes executive offices, dedicated desks, cubicles, conference rooms, event space and warehouse and maker space. Members enjoy free parking, a full kitchen and flexible month-to-month terms. Our central location is connected to the Ramco Innovations campus.
Iowa Startup Week feels like a natural fit for us. Many of the agtech and manufacturing founders on stage this week need a place to build, test and ship. We want to help them find it.
Let's Connect During Iowa Startup Week
If you are attending Iowa Startup Week, we would love to meet you. Say hello and tell us what you are building. If you are looking for a workspace that grows with your team, schedule a tour of Maple Studios in West Des Moines at hello@maplestudios.com.
