About
The Iowa Angel Network is a working name for an angel investment group being established by the Iowa Center for Economic Success with a specific focus on women investors and entrepreneurs in Iowa. The initiative emerged following a $175,000 award from the Iowa Economic Development Authority in December 2015, with those state funds designated for network setup and operations rather than direct investment purposes. The IEDA does not serve as a member of the investment group. Under the leadership of Megan Milligan, CEO of the Iowa Center for Economic Success, the network was designed to address a gap in early-stage funding access by encouraging more Iowa women to participate as accredited angel investors while simultaneously directing capital toward Iowa-based startups, with particular emphasis on companies with women owners or in leadership positions. The network's dual mission reflects a recognition that female entrepreneurs and female investors have historically been underrepresented in angel funding ecosystems. By creating a dedicated community of women investors, the group aims to build a sustainable funding source for promising Iowa ventures while expanding the investor base beyond traditional angel networks. The network operates within Iowa's broader angel investment landscape, which includes other established groups such as Plains Angels and FIN Capital Angels, positioning itself as a specialized alternative focused on gender inclusion and women-led entrepreneurship. The structure and specific investment parameters—including typical check sizes, membership requirements, and governance—were being formalized at the time of the network's establishment.