Next Level Ventures is a Des Moines, Iowa-based venture capital firm founded in 2013. It specializes in seed through growth-stage investments in United States-based companies across sectors including ag/bio, agriculture technology, manufacturing, information technology, health tech, fintech, AI/ML, SaaS, and other tech-enabled sectors. The firm typically makes minority investments ranging from $0.5 million to $5 million, with the potential for larger transactions via investment partners. It aims for a two-to-five-year holding period and commonly takes board seats on portfolio companies. Next Level Ventures operates as an investment adviser and supports entrepreneurs with capital, strategic guidance, and governance expertise.

Established in Ames, Iowa in 2015, Ag Startup Engine is a venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage agricultural technology startups. It aims to bridge the gap in seed stage investment and mentorship for entrepreneurs in Iowa and the broader Midwest region.

Innova Memphis is a Tennessee-based venture capital firm established in 2007 by the Memphis Bioworks Foundation. It focuses on biosciences, technology, and agri-tech companies at pre-seed, seed, early-stage, and high-growth stages across the United States. The firm provides funding and hands-on support to help early ideas evolve into viable business units and aims to connect portfolio companies with established corporations for licensing, acquisitions, or follow-on investments. By combining technical know-how, market expertise, and venture capital, Innova Memphis seeks to accelerate product development and help startups reach milestones and scale toward market leadership.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) leads initiatives in food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. It aims to expand markets for agricultural products globally, foster alternative markets domestically, improve rural infrastructure, enhance food safety, promote nutrition education, and manage public lands collaboratively.

The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.

Iowa Total Care is a healthcare and medical services provider company.

EMC Insurance Companies, established in 1911, is a prominent insurance organization in the United States, recognized among the top 50 based on net written premium. The company started by offering workers’ compensation insurance in Iowa and has since expanded its offerings to include a wide range of property and casualty insurance products and services across the country. With assets exceeding $3 billion and a workforce of over 2,100 employees, EMC operates under the trade name EMC Insurance Companies, along with Employers Mutual Casualty Company and its affiliates. The company is licensed to provide insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and also engages in writing reinsurance contracts globally.

Founded in 1879, Principal Financial Group is a global leader in investment management, offering retirement savings plans, insurance solutions, and asset management services. They serve businesses, individuals, and institutional clients worldwide.

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency in the United States that funds and supports research and education in science and engineering. It funds fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering and administers non-dilutive funding programs to aid early‑stage technology development, helping translate discoveries into commercially viable products and services. Through grants and fellowships, the NSF supports researchers, educators, and startups, contributing to innovation and U.S. competitiveness. The agency operates with a substantial budget to advance science, engineering, and STEM education nationwide.

Global Insurance Accelerator is a mentor-driven accelerator based in Des Moines, Iowa, focused on insurtech and insurance startups. Established in the early 2010s, it offers a 100-day program with seed funding, access to a large mentor network, and post-program support, backed by seven Central Iowa insurance companies. The program targets ventures that develop software or hardware solutions for insurance, including tools for quantifying risk, actuarial analysis, and cost management, as well as related software applications. Founders and their teams are typically required to relocate to Des Moines for the duration of the program in order to participate, and the accelerator emphasizes practical guidance and networking to help early-stage companies scale.

Founded in 1998, Ag Ventures Alliance is a company that provides business support services tailored to the agriculture sector. It focuses on investing in seed-stage and early-stage companies within the agriculture and technology sectors based in the United States.

Twelve19 Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2014 and based in Des Moines, Iowa. It makes angel, seed, and venture investments in early stage and growth companies across consumer and enterprise sectors, supporting strong entrepreneurs and management teams.

Founded in 2013, Midwest Growth Partners is a private equity firm based in West Des Moines, Iowa. It focuses on mid-market investments primarily in manufacturing, food, agriculture, and distribution & logistics sectors across the United States.

Prairie Crest Capital is a Des Moines, Iowa-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in agriculture technology and related technology innovations. Founded in 2016, the firm targets seed and Series A rounds across the United States. It leverages financial and operating experience to identify untapped opportunities and provides funding and development assistance to qualifying enterprises poised for accelerated growth.

Midwest Growth Partners is a private investment firm that focuses on growth-stage companies.

Alliant Energy is a regulated investor-owned utility holding company that provides electricity and natural gas services in the Midwest through two public utility subsidiaries, Interstate Power and Light Company and Wisconsin Power and Light Company. It serves retail customers across Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and sells electricity to wholesale customers. The company owns and operates generation assets including a 347 MW natural gas-fired unit in Wisconsin and a 225 MW wind farm in Oklahoma, and maintains investments in freight, logistics and supply chain services along with a short-line railway, barge terminal and related operations. It also holds a minority stake in American Transmission Co. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, Alliant Energy traces its roots to 1917.

Woodward Communications, headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa, is an employee-owned media company that offers a diverse range of services including community media, marketing communications, and targeted business trade services. The company is dedicated to delivering news, entertainment, and relevant stories about the people, places, and businesses that impact contemporary society. It publishes newspapers, weekly publications, and magazines, and operates radio stations, while also providing advertising services to clients. Through its various platforms, Woodward Communications aims to engage and inform its audience effectively.

St. Croix Hospice is a prominent provider of hospice services for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. With 21 office locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, the company offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support patients, their families, and caregivers. These services include physician care, nursing, hospice aide assistance, continuous care nursing during crises, social services, spiritual care, therapy, nutritional counseling, and routine medical check-ups. St. Croix Hospice focuses on enhancing the comfort and quality of life for those with terminal diagnoses while addressing their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Caravel Autism Health, LLC specializes in designing personalized treatment programs for children with autism and related developmental disabilities. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, the company offers a range of services, including applied behavior analysis therapy, diagnostic evaluations, and parent support. Its treatment pathways cater to various age groups, including early learners aged two to six, skill builders for children seven and older, and a dedicated program for teens. Additionally, Caravel provides social skills training that focuses on essential interpersonal skills such as communication, cooperation, and teamwork. The company operates multiple locations throughout the greater Chicago area and in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, serving families with tailored solutions to support the developmental needs of their children.

Founded in 2006, New Capital Fund is a venture capital firm based in Little Chute, Wisconsin. It focuses on investing in seed-stage to growth-stage companies across various sectors including business products/services, materials/resources, healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and TMT.

Brinker International, Inc. operates casual dining restaurants, primarily under the brands Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy. Chili's is known for its bar and grill offerings, featuring a menu that includes signature items such as slow-smoked baby back ribs, craft burgers, fajitas, and tableside guacamole. Maggiano's specializes in Italian cuisine, offering a diverse menu that includes appetizers, chicken, seafood, veal, prime steaks, and desserts. As of June 2013, Brinker International's system included 1,591 restaurants across 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as locations in various countries including Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. The company generates the majority of its revenue from the Chili's segment, reflecting its strong presence in the casual dining market.

Union Pacific is the largest railroad company in North America, operating over 32,000 route miles across 23 states west of Chicago. It specializes in transporting a wide range of goods including coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, fertilizers, and automotive goods. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Union Pacific employs approximately 45,000 people.

Omaha World-Herald is a daily newspaper based in Omaha, Nebraska, serving a wide readership that extends into southwest Iowa. The publication offers a comprehensive range of content, including news, commentary, sports, entertainment, and obituaries. It aims to engage its audience by providing information that encourages community involvement. In addition to its editorial offerings, the World-Herald also features advertising services for businesses looking to reach its diverse subscriber base and single-copy purchasers. Through its commitment to delivering timely and relevant news, the Omaha World-Herald plays a significant role in informing and connecting the communities it serves.

Affinity Gaming is a casino gaming company that operates 11 properties across Nevada, Colorado, Missouri, and Iowa. The company focuses on creating a welcoming and casual atmosphere for its guests, emphasizing customer satisfaction through high-quality service and a diverse range of entertainment options. Affinity Gaming offers a variety of gaming experiences, including slot machines and table games, alongside amenities such as hotel rooms, dining establishments, and entertainment venues. By prioritizing a friendly environment and engaging with customers on a personal level, Affinity Gaming aims to provide a memorable experience that encourages repeat visits.

Flint Hills Resources is an independent refining, chemicals, and biofuels company headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. Established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Koch Industries, it has developed a diverse portfolio of products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, ethanol, biodiesel, liquefied natural gas, polymers, and various intermediate chemicals. The company operates refineries in Alaska, Minnesota, and Texas with a combined capacity of approximately 670,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Flint Hills Resources also runs multiple ethanol plants in Iowa and Nebraska, producing a total of 550 million gallons annually, and is a significant purchaser of ethanol in Minnesota. Through strategic investments and acquisitions exceeding $7.6 billion since 2002, the company aims to enhance its operational capabilities while meeting customer demands in the refining and chemical sectors. Its manufacturing facilities, located in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas, produce essential materials used in numerous industries, including automotive and packaging. Flint Hills Resources is committed to efficient resource utilization and community involvement, striving to create value for both its customers and society at large.

Growers Edge is an agricultural fintech company that develops software and analytics for risk and crop management, offering a platform that provides customized solutions to farmers, agencies, and retailer networks, along with cash flow lending for inputs and agricultural technologies and risk management tied to crop management plans. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, the company uses data analytics to facilitate financing for inputs, deliver insights into market trends and crop performance, and help farmers adopt new technologies to improve profitability and safeguard investments.

Curql empowers credit unions with fintech solutions, offering expertise and support to drive innovation from incubation to acceleration.

TBK Bank, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a Texas state savings bank that provides a comprehensive range of commercial and consumer banking products and services. As a subsidiary of Triumph Bancorp, it operates multiple divisions, including Triumph Community Bank, which serves clients through 18 branches in eastern Iowa and Illinois. TBK Bank focuses on meeting the financial needs of individuals, small business owners, and entrepreneurs, emphasizing community investment and support. The bank offers various lending and deposit products, as well as financing solutions for independent consumer and commercial finance companies through its Lender Finance team. By combining traditional banking values with modern technology, TBK Bank aims to facilitate the success of its customers and enhance the communities it serves.

Founded in 1998, TaxACT specializes in providing individuals and businesses with software solutions for preparing and filing taxes. Its offerings include a range of business tax products (Sole Proprietor, Partnership-LLC, C Corporation, S Corporation) and individual tax preparation products, along with consulting services to aid in financial decision-making.

ManchesterStory Group is a West Des Moines, Iowa-based venture capital firm that focuses on early-to-growth-stage investments in InsurTech, FinTech, and HealthTech. The firm partners with innovative startups to accelerate growth, leveraging industry expertise and a broad network to bridge startups with established players in insurance, financial services, and healthcare. It pursues opportunities across the United States and emphasizes collaboration and sustainable value creation through strategic relationships with industry participants.

Stone Arch Capital is a private equity firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that targets lower middle market companies in the Midwest. The firm specializes in buyouts, add-on acquisitions, growth capital, recapitalizations, and product or strategic extensions, as well as public or private transactions. It focuses on manufacturing and service industries and generally pursues control or minority stakes in portfolio companies, with a preference for operationally meaningful ownership and value creation through partnerships with management. Typical investments range from roughly 10 to 25 million in equity into companies generating 15 to 150 million in annual revenue and 3.5 to 30 million in EBITDA, with enterprise values commonly between 15 and 100 million and sustainable margins around 10 percent or higher. While primarily focused on the Midwest (notably Illinois to Wisconsin), it may consider opportunities outside the region under unique circumstances. The approach emphasizes patient, disciplined investment, trust, and collaboration with management teams, and the firm avoids hostile transactions.

UnityPoint Health is a nonprofit, integrated health system based in Iowa that combines hospitals, physician clinics, and home care services. Its physician-led network operates across Iowa and Illinois through more than 280 physician clinics and 30 hospitals in eight regions, delivering coordinated care in clinics, hospitals, and at home. The system serves over 4 million patient visits annually and emphasizes community health programs and services.

Founded in Japan in 2007, Spiber specializes in designing and manufacturing protein-based materials, notably spider silk. Serving industries such as apparel and automotive, the company uses microbial fermentation to produce its Brewed Protein™ polymers, contributing to animal- and plastic-free initiatives.

Holmes Murphy & Associates is an insurance brokerage firm headquartered in Waukee, Iowa, founded in 1932. The company specializes in property and casualty insurance, employee benefits, captive insurance, and risk management. It is dedicated to humanizing the insurance industry by providing personalized services that enable businesses to reach their full potential. Holmes Murphy also offers claims process consulting, claims administration, and international coverage, helping clients effectively manage and mitigate risks.

Triumph Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company based in Dallas, Texas, that operates TBK Bank, SSB, offering a wide range of banking and commercial finance products and services primarily to retail customers and small-to-mid-sized businesses across the United States. The company is organized into Banking, Factoring, and Corporate segments, providing depository products such as checking and savings accounts, as well as various types of loans including commercial, industrial, and real estate loans. Additionally, Triumph Bancorp offers factoring services, equipment financing, and consumer loans, alongside electronic banking, trust, treasury management, and insurance brokerage services. The company has a significant presence with branches in several states, including Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, and Texas, along with loan production offices to support its diverse customer base.

Docupace Technologies, Inc., established in 2002 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, specializes in developing document management and workflow solutions for various industries, primarily serving the financial services sector in the United States. The company offers a cloud-based, integrated software suite, Docupace Platform, which enables financial services firms to digitize and automate their operations. This platform includes features such as client onboarding, document management, advisor transitions, and other services, aiming to reduce back-office expenses, improve efficiency, strengthen recruiting, and enhance the experience of advisors and their clients. Docupace's solutions are designed to simplify clients' processes, digitize data, and increase productivity and profits. The company also provides services like ePACS for system connectivity and a Capture Module for front-end document functionality. Docupace has strategic relationships with other industry players and has offices in Hanover, Maryland; West Des Moines, Iowa; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Workiva is a cloud-native platform that streamlines reporting and compliance by connecting and transforming data from ERP, HCM, and CRM systems and other cloud and on-premise applications. The platform coordinates data linking, controlled collaboration, granular permissions, process management, and full audit trails to enable creation, review, and publication of data-linked documents and reports, including SEC filings. Its Wdesk data management engine supports synchronized data and real-time visibility, helping organizations mitigate risk, boost productivity, and strengthen decision making. Customers include public and private companies, government agencies, and higher education institutions worldwide. Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, Workiva serves a global client base and enables data-driven reporting across complex regulatory and governance environments.

LCS, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, has been a prominent provider of senior lifestyle products and services since its establishment in 1971. Specializing in Life Plan Communities, independent living, assisted living, and memory care facilities, LCS focuses on development, operations management, marketing, sales, and strategic planning for senior living communities nationwide. Additionally, LCS offers real estate private equity, insurance, national purchasing consulting services, and in-home care. With a commitment to quality and service, LCS serves a large population of seniors throughout the country.

United Fire Group is an insurance company headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, founded in 1946. It provides insurance protection for businesses and individuals through a network of independent agents across the United States. The company works with more than 1,000 independent agencies in 43 states and the District of Columbia, and offers life insurance through more than 900 independent life agents in 36 states. It employs over 900 people and maintains offices in Iowa (home office) and additional locations including California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas.

McGowan Capital Group is a private equity firm based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, established in 2004. The firm specializes in growth capital investments, focusing primarily on early to mid-stage companies. By providing financial resources and strategic support, McGowan Capital Group aims to foster the development and expansion of its portfolio companies.

Conagra Brands is a packaged foods company that develops, manufactures, and markets a broad portfolio of frozen meals, snacks, and shelf-stable groceries in the United States. Its frozen offerings include brands such as Marie Callender’s, Healthy Choice, Banquet, and Birds Eye, while it also sells snacks and refrigerated or shelf-stable items through brands like Duncan Hines, Hunt’s, Slim Jim, Vlasic, Orville Redenbacher’s, Reddi-wip, Wish-Bone, and Chef Boyardee. The company primarily serves the U.S. retail channel, with limited exposure to international markets and foodservice. Conagra emphasizes a diversified mix across meals, snacks, and pantry staples, built on well-known consumer brands and broad nationwide distribution. The business model centers on large-scale production, extensive retail partnerships, and a focus on accessible, convenient products for households and food retailers.

S2G Ventures is a Chicago-based, multi-stage investment firm focused on fostering innovation across food and agriculture, oceans, and energy. Founded in 2014, it targets late-stage venture and growth investments and maintains a portfolio spanning seed, venture, and growth rounds. The firm backs entrepreneurs delivering market-driven solutions that transform food systems and related sectors, including ingredients, infrastructure and logistics, food safety technology, retail and consumer brands, as well as opportunities in ocean and energy domains. Its objective is to catalyze healthier, sustainable, and locally sourced food systems through investments that cover agricultural products, logistics, and consumer offerings.

Kudu Investment Management LLC is a private equity and venture capital firm established in 2015 and based in New York, New York. The firm specializes in providing risk-sharing capital to asset and wealth management firms, focusing on ownership transfer, partner liquidity, management buyouts, and acquisition and growth finance. Kudu offers solutions for managers seeking a capital event while maintaining their independence, primarily through minority-stake equity investments. As a Registered Investment Adviser, Kudu Investment Management aims to support the growth and sustainability of its clients in the asset management industry.

Canadian National Railway is a leading transportation company offering integrated shipping solutions, including rail, intermodal, trucking, freight forwarding, warehousing, and distribution. With a network spanning Canada coast-to-coast and extending to the Gulf of Mexico via Chicago, it specializes in safe, timely, and cost-effective global marketplace delivery.

Massachusetts Capital Resource Company, founded in 1977 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, serves as a private investment firm focused on addressing the funding gap for growing companies. The company provides risk capital in the form of mezzanine financing, long-term debt, and equity investments, specifically targeting emerging growth and middle-market firms. Its primary sectors of interest include manufacturing, distribution, service, and technology. By offering tailored investment solutions, Massachusetts Capital complements the financing available from senior lenders and equity investors, thereby supporting the growth and acquisition needs of companies operating in Massachusetts.

Ulu Ventures is a Palo Alto, California-based seed and early-stage venture capital firm that backs technology-driven startups across the United States. Founded in 2008, it focuses on internet-enabled consumer and business services and a broad range of sectors including EdTech, FinTech, healthcare, sustainability, enterprise IT, SaaS, IoT, digital media, mobile, agtech, and marketplaces. The firm emphasizes backing diverse entrepreneurial teams and typically engages in co-investments with other investors to pursue meaningful exits. It is described as the first Latina-led venture fund in Silicon Valley and is among the larger seed-focused vehicles in the region.

TT Capital Partners is the private equity arm of TripleTree and an independent investment firm based in Minnesota, with offices in Minneapolis and New York. It concentrates on growth equity investments in healthcare and technology companies, including healthcare services, clinical services and healthcare technology, aiming at innovative, high-growth firms expanding their customer base or entering new markets. The firm typically seeks majority stakes and combines principal investing with advisory capabilities rooted in its merchant banking heritage. TT Capital Partners focuses on opportunities within the healthcare and technology sectors and supports portfolio companies through strategic growth initiatives.

Accel-KKR is a private equity firm founded in 2000, specializing in growth and middle-market investments in software and technology-enabled services companies. It typically invests $10 million to over $100 million, seeking majority ownership or control positions.

Weld North Education, established in 2010, is a Stamford, Connecticut-based company focused on developing and delivering digital educational solutions. It invests in and operates a portfolio of businesses offering online courseware, intervention programs, and supplemental curriculum, including Edgenuity, Imagine Learning, and LearnZillion. Weld North's strategy involves enhancing these businesses through a customer-centric approach, operational excellence, and strategic investments, aiming to maximize potential for students, teachers, and investors.

HBM Holdings is an investment and management company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, established in 2012. It acquires, supports and operates middle-market businesses in industrial products and services, with activity across sectors such as aerospace and defense, environmental, medical devices and instruments, packaging, mining and minerals, and other industrial industries.