Innovation EXPO coming to Cedar Rapids Wednesday

Hundreds of Iowa start-up owners will turn out in Cedar Rapids this week for Innovation EXPO 2018.

The event, sponsored by Cedar Rapids-based Entrepreneurial Development Center, or EDC, is billed as the state's largest networking event for entrepreneurs across multiple sectors, from biotechnology to consumer goods.

This year's expo also marks EDC's 15th anniversary.

This year's schedule is:

' Two pitch events, in which five start-ups will make their case to a group of experts for feedback. Events will run from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

' EDC Chief Executive Officer Curt Nelson will talk about the company's years in working with start-ups in the state, and Iowa Economic Development Authority Executive Director Debi Durham, from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., will speak on entrepreneurship's role in Iowa's economy.

' More than 100 start-ups will be at booths from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The event will be 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Convention Complex, 350 First Ave NE. Tickets are available at innovationexpo2018.eventbrite.com.

l Comments: (319) 398-8366; dan.mika@thegazette.com