Financial Resources

Local Resources

Grants & Micro Lending

• Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Iowa Self-Employment Program business low-interest loan.

• Le Mars Business Initiative Corporation Loan Program, Main Street Le Mars Challenge Grant Program, and Historic Façade Renovation Grant.

• Moville Community Development Association Seed Grant Program.

• Onawa Exterior Façade Matching Grant Program, and Kelly Fund Grant Program.

• Siouxland Economic Development Corporation Microloan Program.

• Sioux City Economic Development Low-Interest Loan Program.

• Siouxland Chamber of Commerce/The Siouxland Initiative low-interest and forgivable loans.

• Woodbury County Department of Rural Economic Development Investing in Woodbury County Microloan Program.

Debt Financing

• 34 Unique Financial Institutions (12 in Monona, 16 in Plymouth, and 61 in Woodbury)

• Ten Revolving Loan Funds (four in Monona, three in both Plymouth and Woodbury)

  • Harrison County REC; Iowa Lakes Electric Coop; Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative; Northwest Rural Electric Coop; Siouxland Economic Development Corporation (SEDC is also a SBA 504 loan provider); and Western Iowa Power Cooperative.

Equity Financing

• Local angels

• Equity Financing Sources in Iowa

Key Statewide Resources

Grants & Micro Lending

• Community Economic Betterment Account Program

  • Community applies on behalf of a local business for a loan (can be forgivable).

• Dream Big Grow Here (http://www.DreamBigGrowHere.com)

  • Online business grant program for Iowa entrepreneurs.

• Iowa Business Plan Competition (http://iowabusinessplancompetition.com)

  • The five John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers offer an annual business plan competition for Iowa startups less than four years old.

• Iowa Economic Development Authority (http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com)

  • The Iowa Economic Development Authority has a number of financial assistance programs for firms that will have significant job impact. Examples include the Demonstration Fund, Iowa Small Business Loan Support Program, and more.

• Iowa Small Business Loan Support Program (http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com)

  • Provides Iowa entrepreneurs access to a loan for business purposes. Can come with a $500 grant toward technical assistance.

• IowaMicroLoan (http://www.iowamicroloan.org)

  • Loans are available to Iowans who have previously been turned down by a bank for traditional commercial financing.

• Targeted Small Business Program (http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com)

  • The Iowa Economic Development Authority, in conjunction with ISED Ventures, provides low interest micro loans to business owners who are minority, disabled, or female.

• USDA Renewable Energy for America Program (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Reap.html)

  • Funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Traditional Debt Financing

• Demonstration Fund (http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com)

  • Financial assistance to encourage high technology prototype and concept development activities for entrepreneurs.

• Iowa Able Business Loan Program (http://www.iowaable.org)

  • Loans for individuals with disabilities who wish to start or expand a business.

• Iowa Area Development Group (http://www.iadg.com)

  • Funding opportunities and financial packaging.

• Iowa Innovation Expansion (http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com)

  • The Innovation Expansion program is designed to assist existing Iowa companies with financing to support innovative product expansion activities.

Venture Capital and Equity Funds Serving Iowa

• Venture and Equity Funds List (last updated 1/1/2015)

  • IASourceLink maintains the most comprehensive list of venture and equity funds here: http://www.iasourcelink.com/funding/venture-capital-and-equity-funds.

Related Resources:

• Business Funding Resources in Iowa

• Community Bankers of Iowa

• Dream Big Grow Here

• Four Fundamentals of Financing

• ISED Ventures

• Iowa Bankers Association

• Iowa Credit Union League

• Iowa Revolving Loan Funds

• Iowa Small Business Development Centers

• John Pappajohn Business Plan Competition

• Main Street Grant Programs

• Small Business Administration – Iowa Office

• USDA Rural Development

• U.S. Economic Development Administration Iowa Directory