The first Startup Weekend event in Iowa was held in Des Moines in July 2009 (see my post here). Organized by Shane Reiser and held at Impromptu Studio, it attracted 30 participants who created four companies throughout the three day event. 6+ years later, our community staged, supported and executed simultaneous events for the first time ever in four cities across the state last weekend.

We're working on expanding Gravitate to Ames!

Last night I had the fun opportunity to help judge the Iowa State Innovation Pitch Competition for the third time. The contest is put on ISU Pappajohn Center and their Entrepreneurship and Learning Community program which is housed at the Delta Upsilon Fraternity house. The students with winning pitches are awarded cash prizes for their efforts courtesy of local sponsors.

Chegg (founded in Ames) priced its initial public offering on $12.50 a share raising $187.5 million at nearly a $1.1 billion valuation.