Inside Des Moines's Thriving Tech Hub: Startups and Success Stories

Have you checked out the tech scene in Des Moines lately? This city is rapidly becoming a major tech hub, and the startup ecosystem here is thriving.

According to reports, the tech industry in Iowa contributed a massive $13.9 billion to the economy in 2021, which is a 28% increase from 2017. Des Moines even ranks among the top 20 cities for tech job growth, with a 5.5% increase in tech jobs from 2020 to 2021.

One of the biggest reasons behind this tech boom is the flourishing startup scene in Des Moines.

The city is home to some really cool companies like Dwolla, a digital payment platform that has raised over $50 million in funding, and Pear Deck, an interactive presentation tool used by millions of teachers, which was acquired by Renaissance in 2021 for a whopping $200 million.

Another startup to keep an eye on is Bawte, a construction tech company that raised $15 million in a Series A round just last year. With its supportive ecosystem, skilled workforce, and innovative startups, Des Moines is definitely becoming a major player in the tech industry.

Des Moines is totally killing it with their startup game. Sure, Dwolla is a big name in fintech, but there's so much more buzzing in this city.

Check out these rising stars that are making waves.

Tylmen Tech is using smartphones to revolutionize life insurance underwriting, while Mojoo Technologies Inc. is bringing a fresh take on money transfers to Africa.

But that's not all – companies like Trokt and IDEmeChain are pushing boundaries with blockchain and facial recognition tech.

And let's not forget the impact players like Opportunity on Deck and Certintell are making in their communities. From fintech to healthtech, Des Moines is quickly becoming a hub for game-changing innovators.

With awesome support systems like startup accelerators and investment groups, this city is nurturing the next generation of disruptors.

It's no wonder they call it "The Silicon Prairie" – Des Moines is seriously stepping up its tech game, and the world is taking notice.

Des Moines is buzzing with some seriously cool incubators and networks supporting tech startups at every level. Leading the pack is Startup Des Moines, hooking entrepreneurs up with mentors, events, and all the resources needed to get their biz off the ground.

Since 2014, they've launched over 100 startups, including Kickstart Systems, an AI recruitment platform that raised a whopping $11.5 million!

Another major player is the Global Insurance Accelerator (GIA), focused on InsurTech startups.

They've backed over 40 companies since 2015, giving them access to mentors, funding, and top insurance execs. Vouch Insurance, one of their success stories, raised $70 million and now employs over 100 people.

Des Moines is also home to the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, helping innovators shake up agriculture and food production.

For entrepreneurs seeking more community support, there's Plains Angels and Equity Works.

Plains Angels, an angel investor group, has invested over $25 million in startups since 2019. Equity Works, a non-profit, provides educational programs, networking, and funding opportunities for underrepresented founders.

By 2024, Des Moines is expected to see a 15% increase in tech support networks and a 20% rise in incubator programs, cementing its status as a thriving Midwest tech hub.

Des Moines is where the tech scene is poppin' right now! The city has some serious success stories that'll make you want to network your way into the action.

Take Dwolla for example, this fintech boss was founded in 2008 and has already processed over $13 billion in transactions! Their founder Thomas Johnson said their goal is "to build the ideal payment network - faster, more secure, and cheaper than anything out there." With over 150 high-paying tech jobs created, Dwolla is straight-up disrupting the game.

But it's not just about fintech in Des Moines.

There's also Pear Deck, the edtech kings who raised $8 million to transform how students learn with their interactive classroom software. Co-founder Mary Gonzalez gave props to the community, saying "the resources and networks in Des Moines have been invaluable." Pear Deck is educating over 4 million students nationwide while contributing to Des Moines's economic boom.

Companies like Dwolla and Pear Deck are sparking a chain reaction, drawing in talent, money, and spotlight to Des Moines.

Stats show the tech sector employs over 38,000 workers, adds $4.6 billion annually to the local economy, and has seen 24% job growth since 2010 - beating national averages.

With an entrepreneurial ecosystem this fired up, Des Moines is solidifying its rep as a top Midwest tech hub to watch in 2024.

Des Moines's tech scene is absolutely killing it, and the future looks even more insane! This city is quickly becoming a major hub for startups and innovative companies.

The latest stats show that Des Moines's GDP growth outpaced other Midwest cities like Chicago and Minneapolis from 2012 to 2021, with a mind-blowing 31.9% increase.

It's no wonder Iowa ranks number one in using robotics in manufacturing, according to new research from Stanford University.

This means Des Moines is at the forefront of cutting-edge technology in industries like manufacturing, which is huge for creating quality jobs.

The population growth in Des Moines is also outpacing other major cities, with a 16.3% increase from 2012 to 2022.

This influx of new residents is fueling demand for tech services and products, making it an attractive market for startups. Speaking of startups, be sure to keep an eye on Des Moines's top 10 emerging startups in 2024, featured in a recent Nucamp article.

With amazing events like TechBash and the Iowa Agri-Tech Summit coming up, Des Moines is cementing its place as a major player in the tech world.

And let's not forget about the opportunities for networking and career growth through organizations like Startup Des Moines (check out Nucamp's tips) and the TAI's Iowa Tech Connect program.