Rural Business Innovators

_____________________

Customer Discovery » Pitch » Next-Step Strategy


Designed for Rural Iowans, by Rural Iowans

Iowans are tough, resourceful, and creative. These are the same qualities demonstrated naturally by entrepreneurs and innovators. Rural Business Innovators is for our inventive and resilient rural Iowans.

Rural Business Innovators is a start-up accelerator that helps rural tech and innovation entrepreneurs develop their business ideas and connects them to resources, partners and mentors in the state-wide entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program offers group training (online), one-on-one counseling (online or in-person), next-step guidance, and exposure to a network of mentors, state resources, & entrepreneurial peers. Rural Business Innovators is brought to you by the Iowa Small Business Development Center (https://iowasbdc.org/).


Overview


  • 11-Week Program: 3 Peer-to-Peer/Group Trainings, 8 One-on-One Counseling Sessions, 18 to 20-Hour Time Commitment, Specifically for Rural* Tech/Innovation Entrepreneurs

  • Content: Customer Discovery**, Pitch Development/Practice, Feedback, and Next Step Strategy

  • Deliverables: Completed Digital Innovator Profile, Business Model Canvas and Pitch Deck; Next-Step Guidance and Support for Business Development Purposes

  • Exposure to a Network of Mentors, Potential Investors, State Resources, & Entrepreneurial Peers


*The U.S. Census Bureau defines "rural" as any population, housing, or territory that exists outside of an urban area,

**"Customer Discovery" is the process of getting to know potential customers, their pain points, and how a proposed solution can help solve these problems.

Your Online Profile

Participants receive their own individualized online profile that guides them through the program and serves as a place to display their content.

What’s on Your Profile?

  • Your Company Dashboard, Program Syllabus and Checklist

  • Online Pitch Deck, Value Proposition Deck, and Business Model Canvas

  • Innovator Peer Group Forum and Other Resources

Your Innovator Network

Connecting individuals to resources in the much larger, Iowa entrepreneurial ecosystem is important. Rural Business Innovators makes this a priority.

Your Network

  • Receive Access to a Virtual Forum with Your Peers

  • Have the Opportunity to Present Your Concept

  • Connect with Mentors, Potential Investors, State Resources, & Other Entrepreneurial Programs

Next-Step Support

Innovators who complete the program are given additional support to help execute next steps in their start-up process.

Examples of Next-Step Support

  • Contribute to Prototype Development Costs

  • Cover Costs Associated with Start-up Planning or Feasibility

  • Help Pay for Marketing Materials or Pitch Development