Scout startups in Des Moines

Learn where early startup activity happens in Des Moines and how to turn local context into a stronger scouting practice.

Des Moines

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Startup ecosystem standing

Where Des Moines ranks

Rankings that list Des Moines
Ranking	Edition	Position	Since last edition	Trust	What it measures
Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities)	2025	#316	No prior edition	B	Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate

Positions as published in each edition. The ranking name opens its method and trust notes, the edition opens the full list, and publisher sources are listed below. Trust grades cover method, transparency and whether places are paid for.

9 organizations with a profile

Who's based in Des Moines

Accelerators 6

Accelerator

Techstars Iowa Accelerator

Techstars Iowa Accelerator is a hybrid accelerator program based in Iowa, focused on supporting startups that innovate across various technology…

Accelerator

Global Insurance Accelerator

The Global Insurance Accelerator is a mentor-driven accelerator based in Des Moines, Iowa, focused on supporting early-stage insurtech startups. It…

Accelerator

Curql

Empowering credit unions through fintech collaboration.

The 3 most prominent of 6. Browse all accelerators

Investors 3

Investor

Next Level Ventures

Strategic investments in technology-driven sectors.

Investor

InnoVenture Iowa

Investing in Iowa's innovative startups.

Investor

Prairie Crest Capital

Investing in AgTech innovation.

Pick what describes you

Your way in

Founders

Raising in Des Moines

Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.

Founder tools

Investors

Finding startups in Des Moines

Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.

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Scouts

Scouting in Des Moines

Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.

How scouting works

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Questions about Des Moines

How does Des Moines rank as a startup ecosystem?

Its best position is #316 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025).

How many startup investors are based in Des Moines?

Superscout has profiles for 3 investors based in Des Moines, including Next Level Ventures, InnoVenture Iowa and Prairie Crest Capital.

Are there accelerators or incubators in Des Moines?

Yes. Superscout lists 6 accelerators based there, including Techstars Iowa Accelerator.

Geographic proximity

Nearby cities to Des Moines

Browse cities in United States

City

Ames

48 km away

City

Cedar Rapids

169 km away

City

Iowa City

173 km away

City

Omaha

198 km away

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Scout profile Structured activity

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Following

Superscout documents Des Moines ecosystem information independently from canonical records and linked sources. Missing facts stay missing.

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Sources and known limits

A reviewed date is not available for this page.

Organizations are placed by their recorded headquarters (Google place, ROR or company record). Only organizations with a Superscout profile are counted, so totals undercount the full ecosystem.

The population value has no measurement date in the canonical record and should be treated as approximate context.

Superscout is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the organizations documented here.