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 $10,000 award (by a judging panel) and the audience will vote for the winner of a $1,000 People's Choice Award. 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 October 24, 2025.

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 phile@ineda.com to verify eligibility prior to submitting an application.

Application Process

• Applications close at 5:00pm CST on October 24, 2025.

• 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 October 24, 2025 if your startup has been selected as a one of our presenting companies for the Innovation After Hours VIP Dinner. 

• Our event judges will award one company a $10,000 cash prize.

• 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.