Matt Patane, technology and innovation reporter for the Des Moines Register and Geoff Wood, community builder at Gravitate, sit down for an in-depth discussion of the companies, events and ideas making news in the Iowa innovation community.

Topics discussed on this episode: GoFundMe stats, Power Rankings, Men's Style Lab guideshop, Cognizant expansion and state funding awards and the Accelerate DSM event

Feedback, thoughts or suggestions? Hit us up on Twitter or email the show at mvp@gravitatedsm.com

This year hundreds of Iowans, Iowa Expats and others who are Iowa-curious stopped by the Startup Oasis (the temporary name for Old School Bar & Grill in the heart of Sixth Street). Big thanks to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Workiva, the City of West Des Moines, The Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa's Creative Corridor, the Quad Cities and the 30+ members of Iowa's startup community that helped sponsor and produce the event.

Interviews with Ben McDougal, Matt McKinney, Brad Dwyer, Emma Peterson,  Jay Byers, Clyde Evans, Debi Durham, Don Frazer, Jenice Whisenand, Justin Wise and Larry Anderson live from the Gravitate Grand Opening Celebration.

Last night was the #iowahour, the unofficial, official gathering of Iowans, former Iowans and those who are Iowa-curious atSXSW. And, it was awesome.

This is my fourth trip to the annual interactive festival that literally takes over all of downtown Austin and I think events like the #iowahour are a great way maintain connections with our extended Iowa tech community.

If you've listened to the Welch Avenue Show the past few weeks that you've heard me talk about our sponsor: the #iowahour at SXSW taking place on March 9 from 5-7 p.m. at the Old School Bar & Grill.