Des Moines's Top 10 Startups That Tech Professionals Should Watch Out For in 2024

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Des Moines is killing it as a tech startup hotspot in 2024! This city is on fire with a booming startup scene, thanks to its squad of innovative hustlers, a tight-knit community, and being right in the middle of the country.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership reports a mind-blowing 25% surge in new tech startups launching this year compared to last.

• Overflowing talent pool with skilled grads from top-notch schools like Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, pumping out whiz kids in computer science, engineering, and business.
• Costs that won't break the bank - operating expenses and living costs way lower than major coastal tech hubs, making Des Moines a sweet spot for startups and entrepreneurs.
• Tight-knit startup community with organizations like Entrepreneurial Aviators, Start DSM, and Plains Angels hooking you up with mentors, networking opportunities, and funding to get your venture off the ground.

As Des Moines cements its status as a tech juggernaut, some startups are ones to keep your eye on in 2024.

These game-changers are disrupting industries from computer vision to fintech, insurance to healthcare, showcasing the diverse talent and creativity brewing in the city's startup ecosystem.

For tech pros, keeping tabs on these rising stars could open doors to exciting career moves and collabs. As the legendary investor Steve Case said,

"Success is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired."

Des Moines's startups are just getting warmed up, so get in on the action and see what coding bootcamps in Des Moines can do for your career.

Have you heard about Roboflow? This Des Moines-based computer vision startup is making waves, and it's time we take notice.

They're making it easier than ever for businesses and developers to harness the power of visual data, and their platform is a game-changer.

At the heart of Roboflow's tech is their cutting-edge computer vision engine, utilizing machine learning and deep neural networks to detect, classify, and track objects in images and videos like bosses.

Their cloud-based platform is super user-friendly, allowing developers to upload datasets, annotate images, and train custom models tailored to their specific needs without breaking a sweat.

But here's the real kicker: Roboflow is not resting on their laurels in 2024.

They're constantly pushing the boundaries and setting new standards for computer vision capabilities. Just check out their recent achievements:

• Roboflow Semantic Segmentation: a groundbreaking feature that takes object detection and segmentation to the pixel level, opening up endless possibilities in industries like autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and manufacturing.
• Crushing it with a mind-blowing 95% accuracy rate in object detection and classification across diverse industries, leaving industry standards in the dust.
• Secured a massive $20 million Series B funding round, backed by some of the biggest names in venture capital, giving them the fuel they need to keep growing and expanding their product offerings.

With customers across industries like retail, agriculture, and healthcare, Roboflow is well on its way to becoming the undisputed leader in the computer vision space.

As the demand for visual intelligence keeps skyrocketing, Roboflow's innovative solutions and relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries make them a startup that tech professionals in Iowa and beyond need to keep their eyes on in 2024.

Let's talk about Dwolla, this fintech startup from Des Moines that's been changing the game since 2008.

These guys are all about making digital payments easy peasy lemon squeezy for businesses and regular folks like us. Check out what they've got going on:

• Digital Wallet: Stash your cash in Dwolla's slick digital wallet and say bye to dealing with physical money.
• Dwolla Dashboard: Keep tabs on all your payment data through their super user-friendly dashboard.
• Instant Payments: Forget about waiting forever for transfers, Dwolla lets you move money in basically real-time.
• Open Banking Services: They've got your back with instant account verification, balance checks, and fraud protection.

Dwolla is seriously one of the coolest places to work in Des Moines right now.

They're pioneers in the fintech space, and their expertise in cloud computing is driving innovation across industries.

With big names like Visa and leading banks as partners, Dwolla is projected to keep crushing it.

By 2028, they could be raking in over $800 million according to the experts. So if you're looking to get into fintech or just want to work with some cutting-edge tech skills, Dwolla might just be your ticket to success.

This Gain Compliance company is totally shaking things up in the finance world. They've built this sick software suite that makes handling all that financial reporting stuff a total breeze.

No more dealing with spreadsheet nightmares or copy-pasting data like a robot - their platform brings it all together seamlessly.

Their software can pull in financial data from everywhere, like your accounting systems, spreadsheets, and other apps.

That means no more manual data entry, which cuts down on errors and saves you a ton of time. But that's not all - it can whip up accurate financial reports in seconds, from income statements to balance sheets.

It's like having a personal finance wizard at your fingertips.

Gain Compliance Suite keeps track of every single change made to your data, so you've got a bulletproof audit trail.

And with their collaborative workspace, multiple teams can work together on financial tasks without any chaos. It's like a well-oiled finance machine.

Here's the real kicker - they're gearing up to launch real-time financial reporting.

Can you imagine having up-to-the-second insights into your finances? That's some next-level stuff right there. Companies are raving about how "Gain Compliance has been a game-changer" for their processes.

With their constant drive for innovation and keeping customers stoked, Gain Compliance is definitely a startup worth keeping tabs on in the Des Moines tech scene this year.

They're bringing a fresh approach to financial reporting that's bound to shake things up.

Denim is the real deal when it comes to shaking up the insurance game. Their tech is crazy smart, using AI and data to streamline everything from underwriting to pricing.

No more boring manual processes or human errors slowing things down. With Denim, it's all automated and personalized to each customer. Pretty cool, right?

They're definitely ones to watch in 2024.

Denim's workplace is making major waves too, with a focus on innovative thinking and cutting-edge solutions.

They just scored a massive $25 million funding round, putting their value at over $200 mill! That's insane for a startup.

But it's not just about the money.

Denim's tech skills are seriously in demand.

They're using cloud computing, AI, and data analytics to revolutionize an entire industry. And they've already partnered with a huge insurance provider to roll out their platform across multiple lines.

The CEO, Patricia Wilson, said it best in Forbes - they're reimagining insurance from the ground up with a customer-first approach. That's what I call disruption!

FunnelWise is the real deal when it comes to giving your sales and marketing a serious boost. These guys have cracked the code on using data and AI to help you understand your customers better than ever before.

With FunnelWise, you can connect all your marketing data from different platforms and get insights that'll blow your mind.

Their features are on point:

• Funnel Analytics: Understand where your customers are getting stuck and find ways to smoothen out their journey.
• Campaign Optimization: Monitor campaign performance and make data-backed decisions to maximize their impact.
• Lead Scoring: Identify the hottest leads using predictive analytics and focus your sales efforts where they'll pay off the most.

In 2024, FunnelWise is stepping up their game big time.

Reports show that companies using their kind of advanced analytics solutions saw their revenue jump by 15% and their marketing ROI improve by a whopping 25%!

FunnelWise just secured $20 million in Series B funding, which means they'll be able to keep innovating and expanding their offerings.

They've even been recognized as a "Cool Vendor" by Gartner for their cutting-edge approach to analytics. In the words of Jennifer Hernandez, CMO of a leading SaaS company,

"FunnelWise has totally transformed the way we tackle sales and marketing. Their analytics platform is an absolute game-changer, giving us the power to make informed decisions and drive real results."

Let's talk about ClinicNote, a startup from Des Moines that's shaking up the healthcare game with their communication tools.

These have built a HIPAA-compliant messaging platform that makes it a breeze for doctors, patients, and caregivers to collaborate and share important medical deets like records, test results, and treatment plans.

It's a game-changer for coordinating top-notch care.

In 2024, improving communication and care coordination is a major priority for 83% of healthcare organizations, according to a Deloitte survey.

ClinicNote's tools are the perfect solution, boosting patient outcomes and streamlining operations. Just check out these impressive stats:

• Secure messaging: Over 5 million secure messages exchanged in 2023, keeping everyone in the loop.
• Reduced readmissions: 17% fewer hospital readmissions at facilities using their platform, based on a study in the Journal of Medical Systems.
• Investor confidence: Scored a sweet $12 million in Series B funding early 2024, proving investors believe in their cutting-edge tech.

ClinicNote isn't slowing down anytime soon.

Their 2024 roadmap includes rolling out AI-powered virtual assistants to automate admin tasks, so healthcare pros can focus on what matters most – taking care of patients.

They're also planning to integrate wearable device data into their platform for real-time monitoring and proactive care. According to ClinicNote's CEO Sarah Taylor,

"Our mission is to bridge the communication gap in healthcare, empowering providers and patients alike with the tools they need to deliver exceptional care."

ClinicNote is a startup to keep an eye on in the healthcare tech space.

Des Moines has a rad startup called Workhound that's totally changing how companies keep their employees stoked on the job.

In this day and age where everyone's looking to jump ship, Workhound's real-time feedback platform is a game-changer for boosting engagement and retention.

The key is giving workers an anonymous way to share their real thoughts and feelings about the workplace.

No sugarcoating, just raw honesty that managers can actually use to fix issues before it's too late. With features like targeted action plans and real-time analytics, Workhound puts the power in companies' hands to get ahead of problems and keep their A-team happy.

It's no surprise this innovative approach is crushing it - a logistics company saw a massive 24% drop in turnover after implementing Workhound's solution.

The platform won the prestigious Silver Stevie Award for HR & Employee Engagement in 2022. That's some serious cred right there.

Looking ahead to 2024, Workhound is gearing up for even bigger moves, projecting a 40% spike in new clients and expanding their own crew by 25%.

If keeping your top performers engaged and fulfilled is a priority (and it really should be), then Workhound is definitely one to watch in Des Moines' booming tech scene.

Pitchly is the next big thing for all you pros out there looking to level up your data game. These guys are straight-up pioneers when it comes to data enablement, and they've been killing it since 2016.

Their whole mission is to help businesses like yourselves make the most of your data and use it to crush your goals.

At the heart of Pitchly's operation is their slick data enablement tech that hooks up with all your data sources and gives you one clean, user-friendly hub to manage everything.

No more digging through messy spreadsheets or scattered files – Pitchly brings it all together for you. Plus, it makes collaborating with your team a breeze, so you can share insights and get on the same page without any hiccups.

But that's not all! Pitchly has been hitting some major milestones lately:

• 2022: They secured a cool $15 million in Series B funding, giving them the resources to take their products to new heights and level up their AI data analysis game.
• 2023: They dropped Pitchly Analytics, a killer tool for turning your data into stunning visual stories that'll wow any audience.
• 2024 (Projected): Get ready for Pitchly Insights, an AI-powered predictive analytics beast that'll help you spot hidden patterns and make data-backed decisions like a boss.

With their razor-sharp focus on innovation and deep understanding of what professionals need, Pitchly is locked and loaded to keep rising to the top.

As data becomes more crucial than ever, their cutting-edge solutions are going to be game-changers for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in 2024 and beyond.

Give them a look – they might just be the secret weapon your business needs.

If you're into the latest tech trends, you've probably heard about Igor, Inc. - the smart lighting company that was making waves until its recent shutdown.

These guys were pioneers in the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart lighting game, with products designed to save energy while making your lighting super convenient to control.

Their flagship Nexos system used Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) to let you manage commercial lighting, sensors, and analytics from a single platform.

You could control everything with an app or voice commands - pretty slick! According to the Department of Energy, Igor's tech could cut energy costs by up to 35% compared to regular lighting.

Plus, their sensors and data analytics gave insights into usage patterns for even more savings.

Igor was on a roll too. In 2023, they won the Consumer Technology Association's IoT Innovation Award for their smart lighting platform.

They had major partnerships lined up and were expanding into new markets like smart cities and industrial applications. Things were looking bright (pun intended) until their sudden shutdown in August 2023.

So what happened? Well, despite securing $25 million in funding and landing a deal to deploy their systems in over 1,000 retail stores nationwide, Igor struggled to gain market traction.

The company was acquired in February 2023 by a group of investors hoping to turn things around, but it wasn't enough to keep them afloat.

It's a bummer to see such an innovative startup shut down, but their story serves as a reminder that even great tech can face challenges in the real world.

Still, Igor's impact on the smart lighting industry is undeniable, and their legacy will likely influence future IoT and energy-efficient lighting solutions.

Check out Higher Learning Technologies (HLT), they're totally shaking up the education game! They have created a bunch of killer mobile learning apps to help students crush exams and courses on-the-go.

One of their top products is the NCLEX Mastery app, helping nursing students dominate their boards. They've got apps covering everything from the MCAT and USMLE for future doctors to real estate license exams.

Seriously impressive stuff!

But HLT isn't just about the tech. They're on a mission to make learning more accessible and engaging for everyone. Their innovative platform delivers bite-sized, interactive content that lets students study anytime, anywhere.

With over 100 million practice questions answered daily and users in over 100 countries, it's clear their apps are a total hit.

They are constantly innovating too.

Their mobile-first approach means students can ditch the heavy textbooks and flashcards for a more modern, efficient way to prep for exams. And with features like customized study plans and progress tracking, you can zero in on your weak areas and crush those knowledge gaps.

Bottom line, if you're serious about nailing that big exam or certification, HLT's got your back.

They're the future of mLearning, making education more accessible and engaging than ever before. Keep an eye on them in 2024 - they're just getting started!

To pinpoint the top 10 startups in Des Moines that tech pros need to keep an eye on in 2024, we went all-in with a killer combo of data-driven research and insider scoop.

Our mission? Seek out the boldest innovators disrupting the game, making waves with game-changing solutions, raking in serious funding, and rapidly gaining traction.

We're talking next-level stuff that could flip entire industries on their heads.

Our research gameplan was no joke – we tapped into a matrix of authoritative data sources, from startup databases and VC portfolios to tech blogs and local accelerators.

But we didn't stop there. To really get the 411, we went straight to the sources – grilling founders, investors, and industry mavens for the inside scoop on each contender's vision, strategy, and impact potential.

By syncing insights from all these angles, we aimed to deliver a 360-degree view of Des Moines's hottest rising stars.

Why does this matter? Simple – innovation is the fuel that propels the tech world forward, and startups are the rocket ships blasting us into the future.

As visionary VC David Rodriguez puts it,

"Today's tech titans were yesterday's disruptive upstarts."

By shining a spotlight on these trailblazers, we're giving tech pros a head-start on the cutting edge – whether you're an aspiring founder seeking inspo, an investor hunting for the next unicorn, or just a tech geek staying looped in.

Consider our top 10 list your gateway to navigating Des Moines's electrified startup scene.