Launch Week Encourages Innovation and Entrepreneurship

A week of events relating to innovation and entrepreneurship will take place in Sioux City as part Iowa’s West Coast Initiative annual Launch Week, November 15^th - 21^st. Launch Week aims to inspire and promote collaboration among students, business owners and professionals throughout northwest Iowa by providing workshops, startup presentations and networking opportunities.

The events kick off with a Rural Business Blender to be held at Uncommon Grounds in Sloan, IA at 9:00am. We invite the public to make a short trip to support local, rural businesses.  Business owners from In The Stands Apparel and Uncommon Grounds will speak about their entrepreneurial journey.

The following week, the first workshop will be held, Small Biz Boost: Effective Marketing Strategies on Tuesday, November 19^th at 12:00 p.m. at Design West (1014 Design Pl, Sioux City, Iowa 51101). Special guests from Moon Media will present on how to build a strong brand, reach your target audience, and boost sales for small businesses. This is an interactive workshop, so be prepared to be engaged.

On Wednesday, November 20^th local entrepreneurs, small business owners and business professionals will gather for Biz Brew on Wednesday evening from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Wise I Brewing Company in Le Mars, IA. Biz Brew brings people together who are interested in fostering a startup community and creating a positive environment for businesses to grow. Everyone is welcome to stop by and enjoy beverage specials, appetizers and great conversations.

Small Biz Mastery: Effective Organization Management will be held over the noon lunch hour on Thursday, November 21st, at Design West. Attorneys from Crary Huff Attorneys at Law will guide you through formation of an entity, basic requirements of the law, and new business compliance. 

The culmination of Launch Week will be later on Thursday, November 21st when the economic development organizations in northwest Iowa will host The BIG Challenge pitch competition at the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars, IA. In September, entrepreneurs in northwest Iowa submitted their dreams to start or expand a business, and from the entries, four finalists have been selected to present their idea to an audience and judges in a pitch event for a chance to win thousands in cash prizes. The first-place winner will receive $5,000, second place will receive $3,000 and third place will receive $2,000. The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a social hour with light hors d'oeuvres and beverages, with the pitch competition starting at 6:00 p.m.

A special thank you to the featured sponsor of Launch Week, Iowa’s West Coast Initiative, and co-sponsor Siouxland Economic Development Corporation for underwriting the cost of many of these events. To view additional details for each event, visit https://iawestcoast.com/launch-week-2024.