Name: Startup Showcase
Start: 2027-02-02T17:00:00-06:00
End: 2027-02-02T21:00:00-06:00
Location: Iowa Events Center

Apply to pitch at this year's Startup Showcase!

Innovation After Hours invites the best and brightest early-stage agtech entrepreneurs to participate in a pitch event at the VIP dinner after this year's Iowa Ag Expo.

One winner will receive a $5,000 award (by a judging panel) and the audience will vote for the winner of a $1,000 People's ChoiceAward. This competition is designed to catapult small startups into the launch or growth phase of their business.

We are seeking to fund high-growth startups in agtech, sustainability or bioscience. Eligible companies must demonstrate an innovative approach and a clear path for scalable growth.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm CST on November 24, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

Competition entrants should meet the following criteria.

The company can demonstrate a proof of concept.
The company has a functional prototype.
The company has some/any top-line revenue (e.g. paying customers).
The company has active free users or beta testers.
The company has established strategic partnerships for launch.
The company has a well-defined go-to-market strategy.

Previous applicants are strongly encouraged to apply again. All decisions regarding selection of competition entrants and awards are at the sole discretion of the Innovation After Hours committee.

If you are unsure if your company is a fit for this competition, please contact us at jamiem@ineda.com to verify eligibility prior to submitting an application.

Application Process

Applications close at 5:00pm CST on November 24, 2026.
Complete this application as thoroughly and accurately as possible. Keep answers to 500 words or less. Any inaccurate information of a significant nature may disqualify the application.
Complete all questions on the application. Unanswered/blank fields will disqualify the application.
Product screenshots, images, or video demonstrations are optional and can be attached separately at the end of the application.
Only complete, signed and submitted applications will constitute a valid entry.
You will be notified on/by November 31, 2026 if your startup has been selected as a one of our presenting companies for the Innovation After Hours VIP Dinner.
The audience will award one company a $1,000 People's Choice cash prize.
Innovation After Hours acknowledges the sensitive nature of some of the information you disclose on this application and information provided will be used solely for evaluating your entry into the VIP Dinner Pitch Event.

Applicants should recognize, however, that this application does not represent a Non-Disclosure or Confidentiality Agreement. If you have questions or would like to discuss this, please contact us.

I have read the Eligibility Requirements and Application Process.(Required)

Yes

Company Name(Required)

Name(Required)

First name Last name

Cell Phone(Required)

Country Phone Number

Email(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

What year was your business founded?(Required)

Business Structure(Required)

Brief summary of your business:(Required)

What is the product or service?(Required)

What core problem does your product or service solve?(Required)

Describe your revenue model. Include pricing structure/rationale and cost of products or services:(Required)

Current Status

Your company's current state of operations.

Do you currently have paying customers?(Required)

Do you currently have any non-paying customers (free users)?(Required)

What is your expected gross revenue in CY 2026?(Required)

Please include sales and any grants received or awarded.

Market Analysis

Let's talk growth potential.

What is the size of your target market?(Required)

Personnel Information

Tell us about your team.

Key Management(Required)

Prize Money

Tell us how the $5K will be used.

How will this prize propel the growth of your business?(Required)

Supplementary Information

This is your opportunity to shine!

Upload Pitch Deck(Required)

You will be able to revise and amend your final deck if you are selected for the Showcase.

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 5 GB.

Anything else you'd like us to know? (optional)

Verification & Acknowledgement

Signature(Required)

The undersigned acknowledges that all information provided in this application is truthful and accurate and that if selected as a finalist, is willing to present their pitch in-person to a panel of judges at Innovation After Hours on February 2, 2027 in Des Moines, Iowa:

About Innovation After Hours

Innovation After Hours is an invite only, VIP event that will bring together over 150 people from start-ups, investors, exhibitors from the Iowa Ag Expo, and executives from innovative ag companies and partners from across the country and beyond.

For more information or if you have any questions contact jamiem@ineda.com.

"Submit" your application!

Startup Showcase

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