Runway Venture Studio

05/06/2025

Happy Small Business Week! Small businesses are a major part of our community, and make our cites and towns livable, flavorful, and fun. Be sure to stop by your favorite small businesses this week and show Iowan entrepreneurs your support!

05/06/2025

Congratulations to the Central Academy designers! 2025 Annual Fashion Show

05/05/2025

Really important summary of recent changes at the SBA and to SBA Loans:

Changes at the SBA mean tighter lending standards and new franchise rules. Here's what you need to know.

05/05/2025

📢 Think You’ve Got the Next Big Idea? Pitch It at EntreFEST 2025!
Applications are now open for The EntreFEST Pitch Competition Presented by Hy-Vee!
🚀 Eligibility Criteria:
✅ Iowa-based business
✅ In operation less than 3 years
✅ Registered EntreFEST 2025 attendee – [Get Your Tickets!]
✅ Submit your application + pitch deck by MIDNIGHT, JUNE 1, 2025
(Need help with your deck? Reach out—we’ve got resources!)
💼 Selection Criteria Includes:
• Revenue generation (if any)
• Business viability
• Social & economic impact
• Quality of pitch deck
• Strength of leadership team
• How prize winnings will be used
🏆 Key Dates & Prizes:
📣 Finalists Announced: Friday, June 13 via email
🎤 Final Pitch Event: June 13 at 4:00 PM at Big Grove Brewery, Cedar Rapids
⏱ Pitch Format: 3-min pitch + 2-min Q&A
💰 Prizes:
🥇 1st Place – $7,500
🥈 2nd Place – $3,500
🥉 3rd Place – $1,000
🏅 People’s Choice – $3,000
👉 Apply to Pitch Now: https://entrefest.com/pitch-competitions/apply/
Don't miss your shot to get noticed, get funded, and grow your impact!

Apply for the 2025 EntreFEST Pitch Competition presented by Hy-Vee for your chance to win the first place prize of $7,500.

04/18/2025

Spring 2025 Kauffman FastTrac® Academy — Now Accepting Registrations! Accepting late starts through April 28th.
Get all the details and sign up here:
👉 https://www.entrepartners.org/fasttrac.html
Ready to launch or grow your business? Kauffman FastTrac® Academy gives aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs the roadmap to move from idea to launch with clarity and confidence.
Join one of our in-person cohorts in Des Moines or Iowa City for this 10-week journey packed with practical tools, real-world insights, and peer support.
📍 Locations: Des Moines & Iowa City & Virtual
🗓 Dates: April 22 – July 1, 2025
⏰ Time: Tuesday evenings | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
What you’ll gain: ✅ A clear business strategy
✅ Mentorship and peer collaboration
✅ Tools, templates, and expert-led training
✅ A tested, ready-to-launch business plan

01/16/2025

New Year, New Connections! Join Us Tomorrow at the first Des Moines Business Mixer IRL of 2025! And keep coming back every other Thursday in 2025! https://www.facebook.com/share/1BgLQVJNpB/

08/12/2024

I don't know about you but I can't believe the Iowa State Fair is already here! I just attended yesterday and enjoyed the fantastic weather. As an entrepreneur and marketing nerd, I took a look at all of the businesses and booths at the Varied Industry Building. Generally I am always blown away by all the commerce going on and all of the things to do!

In spite of the busy fair week, we are still on for the Des Moines Business Mixer! Please join us! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/des-moines-business-mixer-tickets-723632413027?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
I wanted to give you an idea about what to expect this month:

1) We will be meeting once again at Your Private Bar in West Des Moines. Everyone has enjoyed that venue and Amber Cooper, the owner, is once again hosting us free of charge and providing snacks and drink specials.

2) People will arrive between 4:30 PM and 5:15 PM for casual networking and snacks. Then we will kick off Speed Networking - back by popular demand - at 5:15 PM.

3) For those who are able to stick around at 6 PM we will be doing a "Hot Topics" session to get your input as owners, business professionals, and entrepreneurs about the "on trend" business topics you would like to learn more about -- such as the use of AI, podcasting, using virtual assistance, attracting employees, funding opportunities, and the latest in digital marketing and more! Come prepared to share and vote on hot topics!

We will wrap up at 6:30 PM - and maybe you can still head out to the fair after!

Please be sure to invite a friend or two for this special State Fair Week edition of the Mixer!

Sincerely,
Laura Kinnard and Co-Host, Cathy Long
(515) 689-7792

Every Third Thursday, join us for Des Moines Business Mixer Group, FREE event. A great networking opportunity and business social event!

07/17/2024

Hope to see my business friends tomorrow for the Des Moines Business Mixer held Every Third Thursday In-person. This month at Your Private Bar Services https://www.eventbrite.com/e/des-moines-business-mixer-tickets-723632402997

06/20/2024

Just listed my first project on HeyHudu! A new and better gig marketplace launched by a local Des Moines founder Derreck E Stratton. I need to get a large whiteboard hung. So if you want to bid on this project please go to https://heyhudu.com/ Meanwhile, if you have projects that need to get done or want to earn some extra cash, check out Hudu!

HUDU: Building a better Gig Economy with THE Odd Job Marketplace. List projects, receive bids, and get things done! Simple, Safe, Secure.

06/19/2024

So excited to share the The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand Business Spotlight about RezBlue Arena and the Des Moines Gaming Club! https://www.theavenuesdsm.com/business-spotlight-rez-blue-arena-des-moines-gaming-club/ Thank you to Lauren and team for featuring our businesses!

06/02/2024

I am extremely excited to announce that after applying to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to become a Kauffman FastTrac facilitator, our Runway Venture Studio was accepted and we have Shelana Chamberlain Laing, Jason Schmidt, Tafadzwa Chimbetete, and Paula 'Precious' Bell becoming certified and lined up to be our first Fasttrac Facilitators. The first cohort will be July 15, signed ups are open now!