Building Bridges: Iowa’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Goes Global with NewBoCo’s Reciprocal Exchange

Earlier this year, Kiva Iowa celebrated its 100th borrower, another small business owner who may not have had access to traditional loans and now has the opportunity to grow their business right here in Iowa.

Behind those stories is Kaitlin Byers, Capital Access Manager for Kiva Iowa. Whether she’s meeting a family at their storefront or taking phone calls from borrowers on the road, Byers has been a steady advocate for the entrepreneurs she connects with. This fall, she will carry that mission abroad.

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Byers is traveling to Indonesia as part of the YSEALI Professional Fellows Program Reciprocal Exchange, organized by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the American Councils for International Education. The program builds on a partnership that began last summer, when NewBoCo welcomed Shafira Rizki, co-founder of Lead With Her. Rizki’s work empowers women leaders across Southeast Asia to step into leadership roles, and her time in Iowa underscored the impact of cross-cultural collaboration.

For Byers, the exchange connects directly to NewBoCo’s mission.

“At NewBoCo, our mission is to accelerate world-changing ideas, support inclusive entrepreneurship, and strengthen communities through innovation. This fellowship directly reflects those values — it is about creating connections that transcend geography, culture, and resources so that entrepreneurs everywhere have access to the tools and networks they need to thrive,” Byers said.

Byer’s role centers on helping entrepreneurs refine their business model canvas, craft compelling pitches, and access the trust-based lending model Kiva Iowa provides. She sees the exchange as a chance to both teach and learn, creating long-term sustainability.

Rizki sees the exchange as a natural extension of the fellowship’s purpose and hopes to create a lasting bridge between entrepreneurial communities in both Indonesia and the US.

“Bringing Kaitlin Byers and NewBoCo’s experience into dialogue with Indonesian entrepreneurs feels like an opportunity to not only learn from each other, but also to see what can be built together,” Rizki said. “If we can create a common language of creativity and problem-solving across borders, then this exchange will have planted something that can continue to grow far beyond its time frame.”

Rizki’s fellowship experience in Iowa last summer also left a lasting impression.

“Working with NewBoCo deepened my understanding of how a supportive, innovative ecosystem — one with mentorship, collaborative programs, and a culture that encourages experimentation — can nurture leaders and amplify their impact,” she said. “I realized that empowering women entrepreneurs isn’t just about training or knowledge, but also about cultivating communities where people can connect, share, and grow together.”

Byers echoes that sentiment, noting that the exchange is as much about what she hopes to bring back to Iowa as what she plans to share abroad. “What excites me most is the chance to both teach and learn. The energy of working in cross-cultural settings is inspiring, and you see entrepreneurship as the universal language of problem-solving and hope,” Byers said.

In Iowa, we often talk about the power of community to lift up entrepreneurs. Byers’ journey — and Rizki’s before her — is a reminder that community isn’t bound by an ocean. It’s a global force, one that grows stronger every time innovators share ideas, connect across borders, and believe in each other’s dreams.

Jessica Abdoney is marketing and communications coordinator at NewBoCo. Comments: jessica.abdoney@newbo.co