First-Round Judge: Liz Keehner
About Liz Keehner Liz Keehner is a Senior Associate with Next Level Ventures, an early-stage investment firm based in Des Moines. Liz manages deal sourcing, diligence, and investments for Next Level’s two Iowa-focused venture funds. Prior to Next Level, Liz worked as a Venture Analyst at Ag Ventures Alliance where she led investments into pre-seed […]
First-Round Judge: Megan Brandt
About Megan Brandt Megan is the Director of Maple Studios, a startup studio based in West Des Moines, Iowa for industrial technology startups and early-stage companies. The member-based support system at Maple Studios helps companies fast-track their development as a business by removing many of the challenges an entrepreneur typically faces with day-to-day administrative needs, […]
First-Round Judge: Gregg Barcus
About Gregg Barcus Gregg Barcus has nearly 30 years of executive leadership experience in the entrepreneurial and technology communities in Iowa. In his career, he has been a managing partner in seed and growth stage investment companies, as well as a consultant and advisor in business and corporate development and growth, capitalization strategies and execution, […]
First-Round Judge: Diana Wright
About Diana Wright Diana Wright is the Startup Community Builder for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. In this role, Wright engages with the existing startups and high-growth businesses in Greater Des Moines. She also helps new and diverse startups connect with the community and its mentors, advisors, investors, and other community leaders and feeders. Wright […]
First-Round Judge: Ann Dieleman
About Ann Dieleman Ann specializes in working with CEOs and executives across the globe to grow and sustain profitable businesses. With 20+ years of executive leadership, Ann has worked with startups, small businesses and the Fortune 100. Ann serves on the Board of Directors of PIMA; the Board of the Global Insurance Accelerator; and mentors […]
First-Round Judge: Andrew Kirpalani
About Andrew Kirpalani Andrew Kirpalani co-founded WorkHound with Max Farrell in 2015. He exited the company at the beginning of 2023 and remains on its board of directors. Andrew has recently joined the Iowa State Startup Factory as an Entrepreneur in Residence. He has nearly two decades of software development, product management, fundraising and company […]
First-Round Judge: Mikayla Mooney
About Mikayla Mooney Mikayla Mooney is a founder and investor in Iowa. She was co-founder and CEO of KinoSol, a food technology company focused on reducing food waste. She was the Senior Associate at ISA Ventures, Iowa’s first multi-stage venture capital studio. Today, she is consulting throughout the Iowa startup community, and loves working with early […]
First-Round Judge: Tom Swartwood
About Tom Swartwood Tom Swartwood graduated from Dartmouth College; after college he worked in the coal mining industry in Kentucky before returning to New York to work with investment banker Ken Langone, a founding director of Home Depot. Swartwood earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and practiced corporate law in New York […]
First-Round Judge: Bernie Stone
About Bernie Stone Bernie Stone is the Managing Owner at Strategery Holdings, and the President at Strategic Scouts Consulting where he solves clients’ challenging problems to Bring Order to Chaos. Bernie is a dedicated volunteer and plays an active role in many organizations including FedTech, NASDAQ Mentor Makers, Veterati, is a Member of the Iowa […]
First-Round Judge: Mike Upah
About Mike Upah Mike Upah is the Director of the Ames Seed Capital Fund, an early-stage venture capital fund which makes equity investments in business growing in Central Iowa. In his role he has responsibilities for evaluating investment opportunities, communicating with portfolio companies, and managing the operations of the Fund. Concurrently, Upah serves as the […]
