Cedar Rapids: A solid tradition of startup success
Cedar Rapids, Iowa is fertile ground for people who want to transform their ideas into successful companies. For well over a century, our city has given birth to companies that have changed the way their industries did business. Companies with names like Quaker Oats and Transamerica started operations here … and companies whose names you’ll know tomorrow are continuing that tradition.
If you have an innovative idea for a company or are ready to grow beyond the initial stages of business, it’s hard to think of a better place than Cedar Rapids. Our civic leaders and business community believe in the potential of business, so there’s plenty of support for startups. The resources to support companies -- from financing to allied industries -- are strong, established, and open to ideas. Add in a large, highly skilled and productive workforce and a remarkably low cost of doing business, and you have the ingredients for success.
Tech-based startups can benefit from the Iowa Startup Accelerator program, which matches new companies in food/bio, health, education, manufacturing, and transportation technology with the resources they need to move into the next level. There’s a wealth of available incentive programs, and our team can help you identify the incentives that are right for your needs.
With a strong, diverse base of existing companies, we’re also an excellent fit for professional service providers such as attorneys, architects, and engineers, as well as regional sales operations and other ventures that need technical services and back-office support. Cedar Rapids has plenty of choices in existing office space, new flex facilities, and land that’s ready for development, including co-lab and maker spaces that are ideally suited for entrepreneurs.