Upcoming events
TechStars Startup Weekend Des Moines
Startup Weekend is a three-day hands-on experience for anyone interested in entrepreneurship to join forces, join teams, and see what ideas can turn into a real business in a weekend. Essentially, people offer up their most pressing and exciting business ideas, and then everyone gets to choose a team to join and attempt to bring that business to life in a weekend.
The event is open to the community – anyone who wants to be a founder, startup enthusiast, or learn about innovation through new ideas. We are seeking all sorts of leaders to make a startup idea work, not just CEOs. If you are someone interested in playing a role in a budding business - operations, design, finance, marketing - we want you, too!
The hope is that one or two real businesses come out of the weekend and some members of that team move forward in growing the business. Otherwise, the hope for everyone else is to gain some new skills and have fun learning what goes into making a business.
There will be a strong set of experienced mentors to guide teams through the weekend, and some big prizes for the winning teams.
Register on Eventbrite here: Techstars Weekend DSM | $25 plus fees
Techstars Startup Weekend DSM Friday | 5 pm - 9 pm
Friday: Arrive at 5 PM, begin networking, and have dinner. Programming begins at 5:30 PM. After a welcome with our organizers and facilitators, the “Pitchfire” will commence: anyone intending to pitch will have 60 seconds to give their best pitch. No presentations are needed for Friday, it will just be you and a mic. After pitches are finished, all participants will vote on their favorites, and using these votes, the top ideas will be selected to be worked on over the weekend. The Facilitator will provide guidance on team formation. Then teams will form organically, consolidate, and get to know each other and begin working.
Techstars Startup Weekend DSM Saturday | 8 am - 9 pm
Saturday: Teams will work all day, with the occasional breaks to eat, listen to short talks, or attend a short workshop. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks will be provided. In the afternoon mentors will be circulating to provide advice in the field of their expertise for those teams that want it.
Techstars Startup Weekend DSM Sunday | 8 am - 6 pm
Sunday: Breakfast will be provided on Sunday. Teams will work uninterrupted from morning until mid-afternoon. They’ll begin wrapping up their product/prototype and presentation around 2 PM to do tech-checks and practice their presentation. 3 PM the community is invited to join and network. 3:30 PM Presentations begin! Each team has four minutes plus around a two minute Q&A from the judges (this varies occasionally). The judges will select the top 3 teams, who will be awarded prizes.
Funding your Startup in Iowa Series: State Programs and Venture Capital
Join us for a free lunch-and-learn informational panel event at Maple Studios on Wednesday, April 2 to learn about funding your startup business in Iowa.
This event kicks off a series of startup funding panels, each featuring different investor groups and startup sectors exploring diverse funding opportunities in Iowa.
The panel is made up of leaders from the organizations who distribute the funds to entrepreneurs in Iowa through State-based programs and those who lead venture funds that invest in Iowa companies.
The programs and funds include:
Iowa Venture Capital Co-Investment Fund (IVCCF or InnoVenture Iowa)
Iowa's Public Innovation Continuum, funded by IEDA and managed by VentureNet Iowa
Panelists:
Anna Lensing, Innovation Team Lead, Iowa Economic Development Authority
Kaylee Williams, Fund Investment Director, InnoVenture Iowa
Adrienne Greenwald, Managing Principal, VentureNet Iowa
Mikayla Mooney, Partner, Ag Startup Engine
Liz Keehner, Principal, Next Level Ventures
Details:
11:30 am - 12 pm: arrive, networking, get lunch
12 - 1 pm: panel and questions
Parking is free on-site, across the street, street parking
Registration is requested to have accurate numbers for lunch; limited space
Who should come?
Small Business owners
Entrepreneurs
Lenders
Economic Developers
Venture Capitalists
Startup supporters
Founders' Fast Track
Founders' Fast Track: A Speed Networking Night for Entrepreneurs
Thursday, April 17
3:30 - 5:00 PM
Maple Studios, West Des Moines
Calling all entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup founders! Whether you’re growing a brick-and-mortar shop, scaling a software company, or launching an innovative new venture, this event is designed to help you make meaningful connections—fast.
Join us for Founders' Fast Track, a high-energy networking experience where you’ll meet like-minded entrepreneurs in a structured format before diving into open networking.
Event Flow:
🕞 3:30 - 4:00 PM – Arrive, grab a name tag, a drink and a snack, and get settled
⚡ 4:00 - 4:30 PM – Five rounds of speed networking (structured one-on-one conversations)
🤝 4:30 - 5:00 PM – Open networking to continue the conversations that matter most
Who Should Attend?
We’re bringing together founders, owners, and builders.
This event is designed for entrepreneurs actively building their businesses. To maintain a strong peer-to-peer environment, we kindly ask that business service providers (consultants, agencies, financial services, etc.) support from the sidelines this time—thank you for understanding!
If you fit one of these categories, this event is for you:
✔️ Startup founders (tech, software, and scalable ventures)
✔️ Main Street business owners (retail, hospitality, brick-and-mortar)
✔️ Early-stage entrepreneurs looking to grow
✔️ Small business leaders ready to expand their network
This is a free event, but space is limited—secure your spot and get ready to make valuable connections!
Women in Tech Happy Hour
We invite all women who work in technology to join us for a happy hour event to connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and empower each other in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Whether you're a part of a startup or a large tech team, new to your role, or a seasoned professional, we'd love to have you join us!
Women in Tech Happy Hour
We invite all women who work in technology to join us for a happy hour event to connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and empower each other in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Whether you're a part of a startup or a large tech team, new to your role, or a seasoned professional, we'd love to have you join us!
This Women in Tech Happy Hour event will be on Thursday, April 11th from 3 - 5 pm at Maple Studios in West Des Moines.
3 - 3:45 pm - park, get your name tags, grab a snack
3:45 pm - 4:15(ish) listen as we spotlight three women in tech who will share some brief stories
4:15(ish) - 5 pm - make new connections and mingle some more
Feel free to come and go. Free parking is on-site.
Location: The event is taking place at Maple Studios in West Des Moines, near Valley Junction. The address is: 1207 Maple Street (link) West Des Moines, IA 50265 on the campus of Ramco Innovations.
Speaker Spotlight:
Rebecca Hicks, Pella Windows
Joan Swenson, Ramco Innovations
Billie Asmus, Repaint Studios
Please send this event to any woman in your network who should join us at this event. It is free and open to the public.
Please Register here:
Connect with the co-hosts! Co-hosts of this event include:
Liz Keehner, Next Level Ventures
Kate Lyon, Dentons Davis Brown
Mikayla Mooney, AgStartup Engine
Megan Brandt, Maple Studios and Ramco Innovations
This event is sponsored by Apex Systems. Apex Systems is a world-class technology services business that incorporates industry insights and experience to deliver solutions that fulfill our clients’ digital visions. We provide a continuum of services, including strategy and enablement, innovation and productivity, and technology foundations to drive better results and bring more value to our clients. Apex transforms our customers with modern enterprise solutions tailored to the industries we serve.
Apex has a presence in over 70 markets across North America, Europe, and India. Apex is a segment of ASGN Inc. (NYSE: ASGN). To learn more, visit www.apexsystems.com.
Hardware Hangout
Date: February 29th, 2024
Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Place: Maple Studios, 1207 Maple Street, West Des Moines
Join us at the first Hardware Hangout of the year, where you can meet and connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals in the industry.
The odd date made us think about all of the odd things that calendars and clocks throw at an embedded system. So that’s the topic for our first Tech Talk! And we’re hoping you’ll be a part of it. If you have stories to share, pitfalls to point out, or tips and tricks to trade, sign up to be on the panel of speakers when you register!
Registration here: https://events.stonepathengineering.com/hh-feb-2024
Event Highlights
Technical Talk: Learn and share about dealing with time on embedded systems.
Networking: Mingle with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and forge valuable connections.
Project Share: Bring your latest projects or ideas to spur conversations, or simply be inspired by others. Don’t worry, we won’t make anyone perform a show-and-tell!
Who Should Come?
Embedded software developers
Firmware developers
Electronics and electrical engineers
Electronics and robotics hobbyists
Product designers
Automation engineers and techs
Supporters of the industry
Those looking to work in or hire people in the industry
Event Agenda
4:30 - Arrive, park, grab refreshments
5:00 - Tech Talk: Time Oddities
5:30 - Share projects and mingle
6:30 - Wrap up and take off
SSBCI Roadshow Lunch-and-learn
Update: this event is now full. Please follow along Maple Studios news to be the first to know about upcoming events by filling out the form in the footer of this webpage.
Did you know that Iowa has a $96 million investment from the Department of Treasury to support Iowa's small businesses, including startups, manufacturers, and businesses owned by veterans and individuals from diverse backgrounds?
Join us for a free lunch-and-learn informational panel event at Maple Studios on Tuesday, January 30th to learn about the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs. The panel is made up of leaders from the organizations who distribute the funds to entrepreneurs.
The four programs include:
Small Business Collateral Support Program
Panelists:
Anna Lensing, Innovation Project Manager, Iowa Economic Development Authority
Kaylee Williams, Fund Investment Director, InnoVenture Iowa
Audra Fisher, Manager of Customer Relations, America’s SBDC Iowa
Adrienne Greenwald, Managing Principal, VentureNet Iowa
Tricia Rivas, Coordinator of Customer Relations, America’s SBDC Iowa
Who should come?
Small Business owners
Entrepreneurs
Lenders
Economic Developers
Venture Capitalists
Startup supporters
Details:
11:30 am - 12 pm: arrive, networking, get lunch
12 - 1 pm: panel and questions
Parking is free on-site, across the street
Registration is requested to have accurate numbers for lunch
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a $96 million investment in growing Iowa's small businesses, including startups, manufacturers, and businesses owned by veterans and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The funding is available through the U.S. Treasury Department's SSBCI, a small business aid program that was expanded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The Treasury Department approved Iowa's amount based on a plan submitted by IEDA.
Iowa's SSBCI dollars focus on encouraging venture capital and investment in scalable innovation companies through the programs below.
TechStars Startup Weekend Des Moines
Startup Weekend is a three-day hands-on experience for anyone interested in entrepreneurship to join forces, join teams, and see what ideas can turn into a real business in a weekend. Essentially, people offer up their most pressing and exciting business ideas, and then everyone gets to choose a team to join and attempt to bring that business to life in a weekend.
The event is open to the community – anyone who wants to be a founder, startup enthusiast, or learn about innovation through new ideas. We are seeking all sorts of leaders to make a startup idea work, not just CEOs. If you are someone interested in playing a role in a budding business - operations, design, finance, marketing - we want you, too!
The hope is that one or two real businesses come out of the weekend and some members of that team move forward in growing the business. Otherwise, the hope for everyone else is to gain some new skills and have fun learning what goes into making a business.
There will be a strong set of experienced mentors to guide teams through the weekend, and some big prizes for the winning teams.
Register on Eventbrite here: Techstars Weekendf DSM | $25 plus fees
Techstars Startup Weekend DSM Friday
Friday: Participants typically arrive at 5 p.m., begin networking, and have dinner. After an ice-breaking game and an introduction by the Facilitator, there will typically be a short talk with a speaker. Then, the “Pitchfire” will commence: anyone intending to pitch will have 60 seconds to give their best pitch. No presentations are needed for Friday, it will just be you and a mic. After pitches are finished, all participants will vote on their favorites, and using these votes, the top ideas will be selected to be worked on over the weekend. The Facilitator will provide guidance on team formation. Then teams will form organically, consolidate, and get to know each other and begin working.
Techstars Startup Weekend DSM Saturday | 8 am
Saturday: Teams will work all day, with the occasional breaks to eat, listen to short talks, or attend a short workshop. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks will be provided. In the afternoon mentors will be circulating to provide advice in the field of their expertise for those teams that want it.
Techstars Startup Weekend DSM Sunday | 8 am
Sunday: Breakfast will be provided on Sunday. Teams will work uninterrupted from morning until mid-afternoon. They’ll begin wrapping up their product/prototype and presentation around 3 PM to do tech checks and practice their presentation. After all judges have arrived, presentations will begin. Each team typically has five minutes plus around a three to five-minute Q&A from the judges (this varies occasionally). The judges will select the top teams, who will be awarded prizes.
Women in Tech Happy Hour
We invite all women who work in technology to join us for a happy hour event to connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and empower each other in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Whether you're a part of a startup or a large tech team, new to your role, or a seasoned professional, we'd love to have you join us!
Please forward this email to any woman in your network who should join us at this event.
This Women in Tech Happy Hour event will be on Thursday, January 11th from 3 - 5 pm at Maple Studios in West Des Moines.
Please RSVP here: Women in Tech Happy Hour RSVP
Connect with the co-hosts! Co-hosts of this event include:
Liz Keehner, Next Level Ventures
Kate Lyon, Dentons Davis Brown
Mikayla Mooney, AgStartup Engine
Megan Brandt, Maple Studios and Ramco Innovations
Feel free to come and go. Free parking is on-site.
Maple Studios Davenport Ribbon Cutting
We are excited to host a special Ribbon Cutting Event on Thursday, October 12 at 3:00 pm to officially open the new Maple Studios space in Davenport, Iowa.
This event marks the grand opening of the second location of Maple Studios in Davenport.
This is a start-up studio providing collaborative workspace and executive fractional services to entrepreneurs. Join us as we celebrate this milestone and showcase the innovative spirit of our community.
Agenda:
3:00 pm | Arrive and Network
3:30 pm | Brief remarks, Ribbon cutting
4:00 pm | Tours, Networking
Maple Studios Ribbon Cutting
We are excited to host a special Ribbon Cutting Event on Thursday, August 10th at 4:00 PM to officially open the new Maple Studios space in West Des Moines.
This event marks the grand opening of Maple Studios, a startup studio providing collaborative workspace and executive fractional services to entrepreneurs. Join us as we celebrate this milestone and showcase the innovative spirit of our community.
One Million Cups at Maple Studios
One Million Cups (1MC) Des Moines is traveling to Maple Studios on Wednesday, March 1st!
Every Wednesday morning over coffee, entrepreneurs present their business to the community and seek feedback, advice, and energy.
On March 1st, Maple Studios will present the new, larger space for early-stage companies and share more about the objectives and structure for the future space. There will be hot coffee, good networking, and tours of the soon to be open Maple Studios.
The presentation will feature:
Megan Brandt, Director of Maple Studios
Hank Norem, CEO of Ramco Innovations
Gabe Glynn, CEO of MakuSafe
Brandon Hart, HartSmart Solutions
The schedule is as follows:
8 - 8:30 a.m. - arrive and networking
8:30-9 a.m. - presentation and Q&A
9 a.m. - tours as requested
Maple Studios is located within the Ramco Innovations campus:
1201 Maple Street West Des Moines, IA 50265
Parking is free on the streets that allow parking and the Ramco / Maple lot across the street.