Networking Fund
The Targeted Industries Networking Fund provides financial assistance to support networking events within the targeted industries of advanced manufacturing, biosciences, or information technology that generate new innovations, partnerships, and deal flow. Sponsors of networking events will bring together entrepreneurial businesses, established companies, venture capitalists, and/or members of the academic research community to discuss new technologies, partnerships, and other opportunities.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be industry groups, businesses or other sponsors of networking events designed for the creation of new deal flow within the targeted industries of advanced manufacturing, biosciences, or information technology.
Networking events must include a planned topic for discussion and a planned format with an agenda. Topics must be substantive in nature and address key innovations, opportunities, resources, and/or needs of the event attendees. Event formats may include business panels, business executive presentations with question and answer periods, intellectual property showcases and/or presentations, roundtable discussions, "speed dating" sessions, workshops, plant and/or laboratory tours, or other formats deemed appropriate by the department.
Strictly social events and member-only events for associations will not qualify for funding.
Awards and Spending Guidelines
Awards are available up to $5,000 for a single project. However, as deemed appropriate, the Committee will review proposals for funding in excess of the $5,000 to support the presentation of a nationally recognized speaker in the field of innovation and commercialization.
Funds may be used for speaker fees, food and beverages, event marketing and collateral materials, facility rentals or other project expenses deemed reasonable and appropriate by the department. Alcohol expenses will not be supported.
The award is managed on a reimbursement basis. All expenditures under the award must be supported with documentation.
Networking Fund
To Learn More:
Phone: 515.725.3193
E-mail: innovation@iowa.gov