Join ICAD + the Business Partnership and NewBoCo in Iowa City on Wednesday, August16th or in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, August 22nd for our eighth session on Funding 101 for Starting a Business. Please REGISTER

Session Learning Objectives:

Founders and Startups often need an infusion of capital (money) to launch and establish a financially sustainable business. So what are the funding options for a startup and/or existing business? August’s Startup Speaker Series will be a panel discussion about ways a business can fund their startup, growth and success. The panelists will include representatives who can talk about Bank Loans; No-interest micro-loans (KIVA), Grant Funding (SBDC), and Venture Capital.

Featured Speakers:

Kaitlin Byers, Capital Access Manager at Kiva Iowa

As an experienced nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and grant writer, Kaitlin has worked across multiple disciplines in the nonprofit and startup space. Kaitlin launched the first statewide Kiva Hub in the nation (Kiva Iowa) in 2021 and continues to oversee the entire borrower, lender, and stakeholder pipeline in both the Iowa & Quad Cities market(s). Prior to Kiva, Kaitlin spearheaded the development efforts at a startup nonprofit – NewBoCo – helping design, fund, and execute over 15+ separate entrepreneurial & technical education programs; growing a budget of $0 to over $2 million in under 5 years.

Prior to NewBoCo, Kaitlin used her degree in Education to teach at private institutions in Guilin, China & Guatemala City, Guatemala. After moving out of the education space, she became the Founder & CEO of MarryMyCity (an online gift registry offering localized experiences). MarryMyCity shuttered in 2020, but Kaitlin continues to engage with the startup community as a mentor and judge of statewide pitch competitions. Kaitlin spends free time traveling or being active outdoors with her two young kids and husband. When Kaitlin needs a creative outlet, you will find her singing with her band or performing in local theatre productions.

Kevin Bradley, Director of Investor Relations at ISA Ventures

Kevin Bradley is the Director of Investor Relations at ISA Ventures, where he works with the investors of the fund, as well as performing due diligence on new and current investments. Previously, he was Assistant Vice President at Blackhawk Bank & Trust working with small businesses as a commercial lender. He also helped facilitate pitch meetings for an angel investment group, Riverbend Angels. Kevin graduated from Luther College in 2012.

Jeff Schebler, 1st VP Commercial Banking at MidWestOne Bank

Jeff began his banking career at Wells Fargo and moved to the Corridor in 2011 where he worked for another community bank prior to joining MidWestOne Bank. He has been at MidWestOne since 2016 as a part of the commercial banking team. Currently, Jeff is the MidWestOne Commercial Team Lead in Iowa City managing a group of commercial loan officers and staff. MWO’s goal is to help clients reach their financial goals from basic deposit and loan accounts to more complex financial goals.

Paul Heath, Regional Director at University of Iowa JPEC’s Small Business Development Center

Paul Heath, a native Iowan, earned an undergraduate degree from Morningside College and a master’s degree from the University of South Dakota. His background includes extensive experience in consulting, finance, accounting, and marketing. Results-oriented. Capable of bringing an entrepreneurial spirit to an organization.

After college, Heath worked for the F.W. Woolworth Company where he remodeled, opened and closed stores, and was responsible for daily operations for various retail stores throughout the Midwest. He then became operations manager for a company headquartered in Charles City, Iowa, that had several retail operations across Northern Iowa. In 1984, Heath became regional director of the University of Iowa Small Business Development Center. Heath is a CMA, CPA and a Certified Business Advisor.

The Business Startup Speaker Series — presented by the Iowa City Area Development Group/Iowa City Area Business Partnership and NewBoCo — leads current and aspiring entrepreneurs + small business owners through a Step-By-Step guide of all the things you need to know when starting and growing your business. From Administrative Basics to Branding, we’ll cover it all.