Iowa State University

Minimum Viable Podcast—Episode 24

Matt Patane, technology and innovation reporter for the Des Moines Register and Geoff Wood, community builder at Gravitate, sit down for an in-depth discussion of the companies, events and ideas making news in the Iowa innovation community.

Topics discussed on this episode: Governor's STEM Council, Young African Leaders Initiative, Paul Singh's Iowa Tech Tour, NewBoCo & EntreFEST, Ag Startup Engine & Iowa State entrepreneurial programs, MERGE coworking space and prototype lab in Iowa City

Feedback, thoughts or suggestions? Hit us up on Twitter or email the show at mvp@gravitatedsm.com

Minimum Viable Podcast—Episode 22

Matt Patane, technology and innovation reporter for the Des Moines Register and Geoff Wood, community builder at Gravitate, sit down for an in-depth discussion of the companies, events and ideas making news in the Iowa innovation community.

Topics discussed on this episode: Dwolla, Shazam and faster national payment infrastructure, TelePharm and telepharmacies throughout the state and several quick hits on ISU research.

Feedback, thoughts or suggestions? Hit us up on Twitter or email the show at mvp@gravitatedsm.com

Geoff's Blog: Ag startups

I've been a judge at a lot of pitch competitions and my favorites ones always involve students. Usually these are business students or others on campus who have found their way into the entrepreneurial programming offered by business schools. For the first time, last week, I had the chance to judge student pitches for an "Entrepreneurship in Agriculture" class at Iowa State and I didn't know what to expect. It was great! Despite growing up in Iowa (or maybe because I grew up in Iowa) I've never embraced agriculture but I've recently had my eyes opened to the possibilities in the ag-tech market for the Iowa startup community and I'm excited to see it develop.

Minimum Viable Podcast—Episode 17

Matt Patane, technology and innovation reporter for the Des Moines Register and Geoff Wood, community builder at Gravitate, sit down for an in-depth discussion of the companies, events and ideas making news in the Iowa innovation community.

Topics discussed on this episode: NCAA tourney in Des Moines, follow up from SXSW, calling Matt out on Twitter, UpCraft wins national InnovateHER, CYstarters at ISU and Mediacom announced gigabit service for all

Feedback, thoughts or suggestions? Hit us up on Twitter or email the show at mvp@gravitatedsm.com

Iowa State's Innovation Pitch Competition

Last night I had the fun opportunity to help judge the Iowa State Innovation Pitch Competition for the third time. The contest is put on ISU Pappajohn Center and their Entrepreneurship and Learning Community program which is housed at the Delta Upsilon Fraternity house. The students with winning pitches are awarded cash prizes for their efforts courtesy of local sponsors.