IWI: Intro to Onshape
2020-11-21 15:00 - 16:30 UTC
Introduction to Onshape is brought to you by the Innovation Workspace Initiative
Computer Aided Design (“CAD”) is the use of software to create a digital design. Designers, drafters, architects, and engineers all use some variety of CAD software. A CAD model can contain data ranging from material properties and dimensions to tolerances and manufacturing process specifications. In this workshop you will learn the basics of Onshape, a free cloud-based CAD software, and the workflow that lets you take your idea from a sketch to a design.
Pair this workshop with Introduction to 3D Printing to turn your design into a physical object in front of you in mere hours.
The Innovation Workspace Initiative is a project to bring a makerspace to empower your creativity through hands-on, project-based learning. Through virtual and in-person curricula, this workspace will bring together makers from K to Gray, bridging community and school district makerspace while connecting them with local business and industry leaders. The IWI has a big vision and would like to invite you to join us for our first workshops, focused on Additive Manufacturing: from CAD designs to 3D printers.

Register

Innovation Workspace Initiative
The Innovation Workspace Initiative is a project to bring a makerspace to empower your creativity through hands-on, project-based learning. Through virtual and in-person curricula, this workspace will bring together makers from K to Gray, bridging community and school district makerspace while connecting them with local business and industry leaders. The IWI has a big vision and would like to invite you to join us for our first workshops, focused on Additive Manufacturing: from CAD designs to 3D printers.
Global Entrepreneurship Week
This event is part of the NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC’s Global Entrepreneurship Week. Learn more about the 2020 Global Entrepreneurship Week in North Iowa.

Start Smart Webinar
2020-12-02 18:00 - 20:00
Registration is required
The NIACC Pappajohn Center and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a free two-hour online webinar, designed for anyone who is considering starting a business. At Start Smart, participants will learn how to create a business plan, do market research, discuss different types of business ownership, and learn how to register a business.
The activities involved in starting a business fall under two broad categories—feasibility (the business plan) and administrative tasks. While we like to focus on the feasibility issue, Start Smart provides information and the chance to ask questions on numerous other topics, including:

Business registration
Doing customer research
How bankers evaluate business concepts and loans
Start-up costs
Business plan tips
And more

After attending Start Smart, you can make an appointment to meet individually with the Small Business Development Center Counselors to assist you in reviewing your business plan, or to provide guidance with other issues.
Register

Start Smart Webinar
2020-12-16 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-01-13 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-01-27 18:00, 2021-02-10 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-02-24 14:00 - 16:00
Registration is required.
The NIACC Pappajohn Center and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a free two-hour online webinar, designed for anyone who is considering starting a business. At Start Smart, participants will learn how to create a business plan, do market research, discuss different types of business ownership, and learn how to register a business.
The activities involved in starting a business fall under two broad categories—feasibility (the business plan) and administrative tasks. While we like to focus on the feasibility issue, Start Smart provides information and the chance to ask questions on numerous other topics, including:

Business registration
Doing customer research
How bankers evaluate business concepts and loans
Start-up costs
Business plan tips
And more

After attending Start Smart, you can make an appointment to meet individually with the Small Business Development Center Counselors to assist you in reviewing your business plan, or to provide guidance with other issues.
Register

Financial Friday: Round 2 of COVID-19 Relief Funding
2021-01-22 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for Financial Friday on Friday, January 22 at 11am. Dave Lentell of the SBA and a panel of local experts are here to help our local businesses understand the impact and implications of the new round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and answer your questions about COVID-19 relief funding.
Panelists:

Paul Mixdorf, CPA – FFC Advisors
Christopher Smith, CPA – Murphy Coe & Smith
Dennis Muyskens, CPA – Hogan & Hansen
Robert Klocke – First Citizens Bank
Natalie Plagge – Clear Lake Bank & Trust
Brook Boehmler – North Iowa Small Business Development Center

Guest Presenter:

Dave Lentell, Lead Lender Relations Specialist and Public Information Officer for the Iowa District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration

Resources

Watch the recorded webinar

Financial Friday is a continuing part of the Small Business Strategies during COVID-19 series. The NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC is working to help our clients combat the uncertainty and provide strategies for your business to innovate, adapt, and survive as the economic environment continues to change.

TechBrew: CyberSecurity
2021-01-26 17:00 - 18:30
Is your business prepared against cybersecurity threats? Join us on January 26 for a CyberSecurity panel with TechBrew North Iowa, sponsored by Next Generation Technologies (NGT). Get the panel’s expert insights on the threats we face and how any business, whether large or small, can protect itself. The discussion panel will be followed by a Q&A session.
Panelists include:

Brian Blodgett, panel moderator and CEO of Next Generation Technologies
Mike Trasatti, CEO of DealerBuilt
Alicea Porter, Marketing and Operations Officer at Farmers Trust and Savings Bank
Kelli Miller, Information Technology Instructor at NIACC

Register for TechBrew

TechBrew is a casual monthly networking event bringing together entrepreneurs, technologists, business people and investors from across North Iowa. Join like-minded North Iowans for an evening of creative thinking, conversation, and connections.
Supporting partners: NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, North Iowa Corridor EDC, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Founding partner: Technology Association of Iowa (TAI)

Financial Friday
2021-02-12 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for Financial Friday on Friday, February 12 at 11am with a panel of local experts to help our local businesses understand the impact and implications of the new round of stimulus funding, along with guest presenters.
Guest Presenter:

Lisa Casper, Business Tax Counselor

Panelists:

Paul Mixdorf, CPA – FFC Advisors
Christopher Smith, CPA – Murphy Coe & Smith
Dennis Muyskens, CPA – Hogan & Hansen
Robert Klocke – First Citizens Bank
Natalie Plagge – Clear Lake Bank & Trust
Brook Boehmler – North Iowa Small Business Development Center

Register for Financial Friday

Financial Friday is a continuing part of the Small Business Strategies during COVID-19 series. The NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC is working to help our clients combat the uncertainty and provide strategies for your business to innovate, adapt, and survive as the economic environment continues to change.

Financial Friday: When Do You Need a Business Lawyer?
2021-02-26 11:00 - 12:00
When Do You Need a Business Lawyer?
Join us for Financial Friday on Friday, February 26 at 11am with Samantha Wagner, JD, Iowa Legal Aid.
Watch the recorded session

Financial Friday is a continuing part of the Small Business Strategies during COVID-19 series. The NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC is working to help our clients combat the uncertainty and provide strategies for your business to innovate, adapt, and survive as the economic environment continues to change.

NIACC IT Summit
2021-03-04 13:00 - 16:00
The NIACC IT Summit will be a high energy collaboration of educators from K-12, NIACC, and area businesses. The goal of the day will be to discuss and identify action items to strengthen and grow the Information Technology Ecosystem in North Iowa.
Schedule
1:00 – 2:20pm: Panel Discussion: Why Iowa, Why Not North Iowa?
With multiple initiatives beginning to take hold in North Iowa around IT Education and the digital economy, how might we work together as Communities, Schools and Businesses to better build and scale a robust IT Education ecosystem and create a thriving digital economy?
Panel Participants:

Tony Brownlee, President, Kingland
Samantha Dahlby, Director of K-12 Education, NewBoCo
Ben Milne, Founder, Dwolla
Mike Trasatti, CEO, DealerBuilt

Moderated by: Brian Blodgett, CEO Next Generation Technologies & Tim Putnam, Director, NIACC Pappajohn Center
2:20 – 2:30pm: Break
2:30 – 4:00pm: Let’s hear from you!
This Collaborative Brainstorm Session will help us pull together the conversations from the panel discussion in determining the what and the how we move IT initiatives forward in North Iowa.
Moderated by Karie Terhark, Facilitator, HueLife

Register for the NIACC IT Summit

Register online or by calling NIACC Continuing Education at 641-422-4358

Start Smart Webinar
2021-03-10 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-03-24 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-04-14 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-04-28 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-05-05 14:00 - 16:00, 2021-06-16 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-06-30 18:00 - 20:00
Registration is required.
The NIACC Pappajohn Center and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a free two-hour online webinar, designed for anyone who is considering starting a business. At Start Smart, participants will learn how to create a business plan, do market research, discuss different types of business ownership, and learn how to register a business.
The activities involved in starting a business fall under two broad categories—feasibility (the business plan) and administrative tasks. While we like to focus on the feasibility issue, Start Smart provides information and the chance to ask questions on numerous other topics, including:
– Business registration
– Doing customer research
– How bankers evaluate business concepts and loans
– Start-up costs
– Business plan tips
– And more
After attending Start Smart, you can make an appointment to meet individually with the Small Business Development Center Counselors to assist you in reviewing your business plan, or to provide guidance with other issues.
Register

Financial Friday: Network and Password Security
2021-03-12 11:00 - 12:00
Business security is not only common sense, it’s good financial sense. Invest in your company’s future by making sure it’s protected from the “bad guys” online. Brian Blodgett of Next Generation Technologies joins us for Financial Friday to guide you through network and password security.

Watch the recorded session

Financial Friday is a continuing part of the Small Business Strategies during COVID-19 series. The NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC is working to help our clients combat the uncertainty and provide strategies for your business to innovate, adapt, and survive as the economic environment continues to change.

TechTalk: Cloud Services
2021-03-23 17:00 - 19:00
The March 2021 TechTalk is sponsored by First Citizens Bank and Heartland Asphalt. Cloud services can be of great benefit to small business, but is it the right solution for your company? Join us for panel discussion and Q&A all about the cloud, its surprising applications, and a look at the opportunities vs the risks.
Register for TechBrew

TechBrew is a casual monthly networking event bringing together entrepreneurs, technologists, business people and investors from across North Iowa. Join like-minded North Iowans for an evening of creative thinking, conversation, and connections.
Supporting partners: NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, North Iowa Corridor EDC, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Founding partner: Technology Association of Iowa (TAI)

Financial Friday: Preparing Your Business for Transition
2021-03-26 11:00 - 12:00
Locally owned businesses are the backbone of our economy. When you’ve built a business that’s important to the community what happens next? How do you plan to continue your business’s future when you’re personally ready to retire? Al Lorenzen, President of The Business Brokers, Inc., business succession experts located in Urbandale, joins us for Financial Friday to discuss valuations and getting your business ready to transition.
The Business Brokers provides succession solutions to a variety of clients through comprehensive consulting and selling services.
Join us for Financial Friday: Preparing Your Business for Transition on March 26th at 11am.
Watch the recorded session

Al Lorenzen is President of The Business Brokers, Inc. in Urbandale. The Business Brokers provides succession solutions to a variety of clients through comprehensive consulting and selling services. Consulting services include Buyer Due Diligence, Strategic Planning, Exit Planning, Succession Planning, Key Person Retention, Buy/Sell Agreements and Deferred Compensation. Selling services include Pre-Exit Planning, No-Cost, No-Obligation Business Evaluation, Confidential Marketing of Business, Identification and Qualification of Buyers and Closing Services.
Financial Friday is a continuing part of the Small Business Strategies during COVID-19 series. The NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC is working to help our clients combat the uncertainty and provide strategies for your business to innovate, adapt, and survive as the economic environment continues to change.

Financial Friday: Restaurant Revitalization Fund
2021-04-30 12:00 - 13:00
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund will provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. Join us on Friday with Dave Lentell of the US Small Business Administration for more details about the RRF. We’ll be covering what the RRF is, who is eligible, and how to apply.
Join us for Financial Friday: The Restaurant Revitalization Fund on April 30 at 12pm.
Watch the recorded session

Financial Friday is a continuing part of the Small Business Strategies during COVID-19 series. The NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC is working to help our clients combat the uncertainty and provide strategies for your business to innovate, adapt, and survive as the economic environment continues to change.

TechTalk: A Look Inside the Shark Tank
2021-05-25 17:00 - 19:00
The heartland is built by inventors and innovators – and many of them are seeking funding to launch their big idea into the world. Our sponsor this month is Ag Ventures Alliance and they want to give you the opportunity to see how it works. Join us at TechTalk for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to watch a startup founder pitch to a potential investor.
Whether you’re an inventor or founder of a startup yourself, or just curious, this is an exciting new addition to the TechTalk lineup – we hope we’ll see you there!
Ag Ventures Alliance is a for-profit cooperative, created to build and invest in startups that improve farm profitability. Ag Ventures Alliances invests in seed stage startups creating disruptive technology that works and has a large, verifiable market.
Register for TechBrew

TechTalk is currently held every other month via Zoom and creates a space for sparking news ideas and conversations between innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, technologists, community members, and community partners. TechTalk’s goal is to engage, encourage, and elevate technology in North Iowa.
TechTalk Partners: NIACC Pappajohn Center, North Iowa Corridor EDC, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

2021 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy
2021-06-14 - 2021-06-18
The 2021 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy will be held June 14 – 18 as a hybrid academy with virtual classroom plus face to face team building and networking activities in various locations in North Iowa.
YEA is a fun opportunity to learn about starting your own business and begin creating wealth for yourself doing something you are passionate about. Learn the ins and outs of starting a business and becoming your own boss. Students will transform ideas and passions into a viable business plan. Every participant will receive a $500 NIACC scholarship and have an opportunity to compete for seed money to launch their business this summer.
Applications are also available from your counselor, business teachers or the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center: 2021 YEA application.
Applications are due May 26, 2021 for priority deadline, or until program is full.
Learn More & Apply to YEA

Design Thinking Summer Academy
2021-06-28 - 2021-07-02 | NIACC, 500 College Dr, Mason City, IA, 50401, United States
The North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Design Thinking Summer Academy will run from June 28-July 2. This week-long camp will run every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students will learn the steps of the design thinking process and put it into practice.
Kids entering grades 8th-12th will find out how engineers and designers come up with their designs. During the academy, students will identify a real-world problem to solve, come up with possible solutions, test ideas with micro-experiments, and use equipment to make their idea a reality.
For more information about the Design Thinking Summer Academy or to register, visit https://www.niacc.edu/community/summer-camps/ or call 1-888 GO NIACC, extension 4358 with questions. Registration costs $189 per child (two snacks are provided, please bring your own lunch); registration closes on Friday, June 25.

TechTalk sponsored by Stellar Industries
2021-07-20 17:00 - 19:00
Welcome back to TechTalk! Join us at Lake Time Brewery as we return to live, in-person events. This month, we’ll hear from a panel of the upcoming generation of technologists, engineers, ideators, and innovators. Enjoy an evening of making connections and exploring the opportunities in North Iowa.
We’re excited to announce that every attendee can receive their first beer on us – and the @SmokeeHeights food truck will be there too! Non-alcoholic beverage options will be available, as well.
** TechTalk is intern-friendly – if you have an intern or apprentice this summer, please welcome them to attend **
TechTalk July is sponsored by Stellar Industries, Inc., of Garner, IA.
Register

TechTalk creates a space for sparking new ideas and conversations between innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, technologists, community members, and community partners. TechTalk’s goal is to engage, encourage, and elevate technology in North Iowa
TechTalk Partners: NIACC Pappajohn Center, North Iowa Corridor EDC, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

Start Smart Webinar
2021-07-28 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-08-11 14:00 - 16:00
Registration is required.
The NIACC Pappajohn Center and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a free two-hour online webinar, designed for anyone who is considering starting a business. At Start Smart, participants will learn how to create a business plan, do market research, discuss different types of business ownership, and learn how to register a business.
The activities involved in starting a business fall under two broad categories—feasibility (the business plan) and administrative tasks. While we like to focus on the feasibility issue, Start Smart provides information and the chance to ask questions on numerous other topics, including:

Business registration
Doing customer research
How bankers evaluate business concepts and loans
Start-up costs
Business plan tips
And more

Register for Start Smart

After attending Start Smart, you can make an appointment to meet individually with the Small Business Development Center Counselors to assist you in reviewing your business plan, or to provide guidance with other issues.

Start Smart Webinar
2021-08-26 18:00 - 20:00
Registration is required.
Please note this Start Smart has been moved to Thursday, August 26th this week.
The NIACC Pappajohn Center and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a free two-hour online webinar, designed for anyone who is considering starting a business. At Start Smart, participants will learn how to create a business plan, do market research, discuss different types of business ownership, and learn how to register a business.
The activities involved in starting a business fall under two broad categories—feasibility (the business plan) and administrative tasks. While we like to focus on the feasibility issue, Start Smart provides information and the chance to ask questions on numerous other topics, including:

Business registration
Doing customer research
How bankers evaluate business concepts and loans
Start-up costs
Business plan tips
And more

Register for Start Smart

After attending Start Smart, you can make an appointment to meet individually with the Small Business Development Center Counselors to assist you in reviewing your business plan, or to provide guidance with other issues.
