NewBoCo events celebrate Iowa innovation

CEDAR RAPIDS — Being a small business owner is a massive amount of work.

Beginning Nov. 8, Global Entrepreneurship Week aims to give that work some recognition.

Described by organizers as a celebration of innovators “who dream big and launch start-ups that bring ideas to life,” Global Entrepreneurship Week is designed to reach millions of people of all ages and backgrounds each November.

Partners around the world — including in Cedar Rapids — hold events and competitions to celebrate and support entrepreneurs in their community.

This year, GEW is set for Nov. 8 through 12. The list of local organizations taking part includes the city of Cedar Rapids, the History Center, the Space Coworking, Entrepreneurial Development Center, Empower, NewBo City Market, Coe College, NewBoCo, ISAVentures and Vault Coworking.

The week will be sponsored by ISAVentures.

”We’re excited to be able to work with community partners to highlight the importance of entrepreneurship in Cedar Rapids,” said Jill Wilkins, NewBoCo chief operating officer.

“This city was built on a foundation of entrepreneurs, and continues to thrive today because of those who are willing to take their ideas and work to make them happen.”

In addition to free co-working days at the Vault and the Space Coworking, special events include stories of local entrepreneurs throughout the city’s history at the History Center; “A Conversation with Black Business Owners,” Nov. 9, at the Harambee House; a Networking Night and panel discussion, Nov. 11, at NewBoCo City Market; and a 24-hour event at Coe College, the Kohawk Startup, that is “designed to infuse entrepreneurship into the Coe experience, ”among other events.

The full list of events can be found at newbo.co/event/global-entrepreneurship-week.

“The entrepreneurial spirit of local residents has been part of what made Cedar Rapids unique from the beginning,” said Tara Templeman, History Center curator and collection manager.

“Past residents have put great ideas into practice by starting businesses, inventing products and creating new sports. Cedar Rapidians continue to improve the world around them by harnessing this entrepreneurial spirit today.”

For NewBoCo’s annual meeting on Nov. 16, there will be a lot more being shared than just plans for the year ahead, and the community is invited to join.

Starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Olympic Southside Theater, the meeting will be hosted this year by Alisabeth Von Presley. In addition to being a touring musician and visual artist, Von Presely is the owner and founder of TINT, a photography and video production service that spent years operating out of the NewBo-Czech Village neighborhood.

Over the course of the evening, NewBoCo will detail success stories of local businesses and organizations that it worked with throughout 2021, and networking opportunities before and after the event.

For details about the NewBoCo annual meeting and obtain tickets, go to newbo.co.