Iowa Angel Investor Summit 2026

About this event

Iowa Angel Investor Summit is back for its fifth year for active and aspiring angel investors to come together to help accelerate the entrepreneurs who are changing the world. Whether you're an investor or entrepreneur, this is the place to plug into conversations and feel the pulse of what's happening in the Iowa startup community.

Summit Agenda

November 16 | Angel Investing 101: From Curiosity to Capital

Location: Greater DSM Partnership, Conference Room

Join us for a special pre-summit workshop (free with ticket purchase) hosted on Nov. 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The session will be led by local angel investor operator, Tej Dhawan, to help break down the fundamentals of investing in early-stage startups.

November 17 | Iowa Angel Investor Summit

Location: Krause Gateway Center

8:30 a.m. Doors Open + Breakfast

9:15 a.m. Keynote: Paul O'Brien, Startup Economist

10:00 a.m. Panel Discussion : Don't Waste a Good Disruption , Tyler Wyngarden, TAI, Kevin Kimle, Ag Startup Engine, Kate Wagner, Roboflow

This session explores how disruption fuels entrepreneurship, what makes founders, startup teams and companies resilient, and how investors can recognize and capitalize on the next wave of innovation

11:00 a.m. Teaching Session: Deal Flow in Action: Would You Invest? Jeff Maters, Network Ventures

This session will show how to evaluate startup investment opportunities and will consider screening, founder-market fit, traction, market opportunity, investment thesis, and risk.

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Lightning Talks

• A Case Study Around Collective Capital , Mickayla Rosard, Groov Capital

• The Platform Advantage: Turning Industry Access into Startup Growth , John Jackovin, BrokerTech Ventures

• 25 Lessons from an Angel Operator , Tej Dhawan, Plains Angels & 2946 Venture Fund

2:00 p.m. Discussion: Built on AI: Where Investors Find Value , Liz Keehner, Next Level Ventures, Ben Goerdt, Claimable, Bonnie Brayton, InnoVenture Iowa

This session explores AI-native businesses, including how investors evaluate defensibility and how startups are building to speed up success.

3:00 p.m. Ending Keynote: Monica Nassif, Mrs. Meyers Clean Day

4:00 p.m. Happy Hour

About the Keynote Speakers:

Paul O’Brien’s work examines why some regions consistently produce fundable companies and how the resources, experience and engagement surrounding entrepreneurs contribute to startup success. His keynote will explore the role investors can play beyond providing capital to help develop founders, strengthen deal flow and create greater economic impact.

Monica Nassif founded Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and grew the household cleaning brand to more than 20,000 stores nationwide before its acquisition by SC Johnson in 2008. Her keynote will bring an entrepreneur’s perspective to building and scaling a company and creating a brand that can compete nationally.

This event is organized by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Plains Angels.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting & keeping this event affordable: Iowa Economic Development Authority, BrownWinick Law, Fredrikson & Byron Law, IdeaFundVC, and Iowa Venture Capital Association.