AMES, IOWA (May 17, 2023) — Home Base Iowa, America's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Iowa, and the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship at Iowa State University, are proud to announce the upcoming Iowa Veterans Entrepreneurship Conference on June 2, 2023. The conference will be held at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames on Friday, June 2, and is sponsored by the Iowa State University Ivy College of Business.
The conference is open to Veterans, military personnel, their families and business partners, and community members who support Veteran entrepreneurs and business owners, and will focus on the unique challenges and opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs in Iowa.
The conference is for attendees who have their own business but is also for those considering an entrepreneurial venture and want to learn and network. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from successful veteran entrepreneurs, learn from industry experts, and connect with other veterans.
New in 2023, attendees of the Iowa Veterans Entrepreneurship Conference are invited to pitch their businesses in a competition for some great prizes, including cash prizes totaling $5,000 as well as the opportunity to have their business featured on NASCAR driver Collin Garret’s race car.
Keynote speakers include Ryan Garrett, entrepreneur, military family advocate, and financial advisor; Lisa Kipps-Brown, 11/11 Veteran Project Strategic Partnerships Director and author of Disrupt Your Now; Joy Briscoe, Top RANK Managing Partner; Todd Jacobus, Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director; and Darcella Craven, US Small Business Administration Regional Advocate. Several other break-out sessions will cover topics related to starting or growing a business.
Door prizes for attendees include fifteen copies of keynote speaker Lisa Kipps-Brown’s book and a metal art piece created by Eickman’s Custom Creations.
A welcome reception on the evening of June 1 will be held at the ISU Research Park Core Facility. A pitch workshop will also be offered on June 1 for those who may want assistance crafting their pitch. The all-day conference event and pitch competition will take place on June 2 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames.
"This event provides a great opportunity to bring together Veterans, military personnel, and their families and business partners to connect with entrepreneurial experts and resource providers for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration," shared Jathan Chicoine of Home Base Iowa, one of the conference co-hosts.
Organizations or companies serving veterans that are interested in sponsoring the conference, want to book an exhibitor table, or sponsor registration costs for attendees of limited means may visit the conference website for information.
Registration for the Iowa Veterans Entrepreneurship Conference is available at isupjcenter.org/event/iowa-veterans-entrepreneurship-conference/ or by contacting Jean Walsh, Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, 515-294-2776 or info@isupjcenter.org.
