Entrepreneurship lessons to be learned at Innovation Expo

Innovation Expo is planned for Sept. 18 helping aspiring entrepreneurs answer the question, "How do I get something going?"

The expo, a combination of several events and intended to showcase and educate entrepreneurs, will be in its second year at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

"This is really an opportunity for everyone in the Corridor to embrace entrepreneurship and the people who do it," said Curt Nelson, CEO of the Entrepreneurial Development Center of Iowa, one of the organizers.

Portions of the daylong expo include the Technology Association of Iowa's "Pitch and Grow," in which 16 entrepreneurs practice their funding pitches and receive feedback from an audience of industry experts and fellow entrepreneurs. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Entrepreneurs at a more advanced stage will make their pitches from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Iowa Capital Investment Corporation's "Iowa Seed and Venture Forum." They will pitch their business ideas to a panel of seed and venture-stage company experts.

From 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Entrepreneurial Development Center will hold its Entrepreneur Showcase, featuring sessions for inventors, startups and students.

An informal networking event, "Startup Drinks at EDC Entrepreneur Showcase," will be offered by Seed Here from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The University of Iowa has stepped up its participation in this year's expo, Nelson said, with the event dedicated to showcasing student businesses.

Some UI students attended the event last year to get a better grasp of what's involved in getting a business idea going and funded. Organizers are hoping more students will spend more time at the event this year "to really see how businesses start."

Nelson expects a good turnout of Des Moines area entrepreneurs, and is hoping for a better turnout this year from the Cedar Rapids metro area. He also is hoping to see more Corridor elected officials and civic leaders, believing they can play a valuable role in connecting entrepreneurs with supporting resources.

Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham are planning to attend the event.

Principal sponsors of the expo are the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Bankers Trust, Kirkwood Training & Outreach Services and the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.

Event details and registration information are available online at

http://innovationexpo2012.eventbrite.com.