Iowa Go-To-Market Accelerator

Iowa Go-To-Market Accelerator

Runs a six-month Iowa accelerator giving scalable startups mentorship, networks, and investor access.

The Iowa Go-To-Market (G2M) Accelerator is a six-month acceleration program operated by Iowa Innovation Corporation (IICorp) in partnership with ISU Startup Factory and VentureNet Iowa. IICorp itself is an Iowa nonprofit that received a $525,000 federal grant from the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build-to-Scale Venture Challenge in 2020 — part of a $1.29 million total program investment — specifically to support the G2M initiative. The program targets scalable startups based in Iowa operating in biosciences, ag-tech, advanced manufacturing, and software, providing hands-on mentorship, network development, and access to investor introductions rather than a direct cash award.

Eligibility is limited to Iowa-based for-profit scalable startups in the four target sectors. The program runs two cohorts per year, launching in April and October, each with a small cohort (confirmed at three startups per cohort in 2025, with both Spring and Fall 2025 cohorts confirmed active). Applications are submitted via JotForm and are reviewed by a VentureNet Iowa panel that includes a pitch stage. No specific cash award amount per startup has been publicly disclosed. IICorp's primary domain (iicorp.com) is defunct; the program operates under iowag2m.org, coordinated by BioConnect Iowa.

Applicants should submit through iowag2m.org during an open cohort application window. The selection panel evaluates scalability, market potential, and sector fit across biosciences, ag-tech, advanced manufacturing, and software. Accepted startups gain six months of structured programming, curated mentor relationships, and investor exposure relevant to the Iowa and broader Midwest ecosystem. The program does not take equity as a condition of participation, though the equity field in the catalog reflects its non-cash nature as an accelerator vehicle.