TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2018  |  IN THIS ISSUE
Para1ISU's Wintersteen talks STEM, entrepreneurship during CR visit 
 
Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen speaking at Cedar Rapids' Downtown Rotary club on Monday. 
Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen on Monday offered a strong defense of her institution's value to the state during an appearance in Cedar Rapids, stressing the importance of ISU's scientific research and entrepreneurship training programs to growing Iowa's economy.
 
Speaking to Cedar Rapids' Downtown Rotary club, Ms. Wintersteen highlighted the myriad innovations and discoveries made by students and faculty that have improved life for Iowans, from the seedless watermelon to lead-free solder to the establishment of a nanovaccine institute at ISU, which will use "nanotechnology to address the critical problems of our day," including building a better flu vaccine.
 
"These are the things you can do through science and innovation," Ms. Wintersteen said. "These are the things that build the economy and provide new opportunities.
 
She also highlighted ISU's ongoing campaign to encourage and train more entrepreneurs in the state, noting that while the state of Iowa ranked No. 1 overall in U.S. News & World Report's 2018 Best States list, it placed No. 45 in entrepreneurship and No. 38 for venture capital.
 
Those efforts appear to be paying off. Four-hundred new businesses have been created by ISU undergrads since its entrepreneurship major was launched last fall, and entrepreneurship is "being lifted up" in every college at the institution, Ms. Wintersteen said. A new innovation center, set to open in one year, will also allow students in varied disciplines to come together to collaborate on new ideas like electrified concrete, which was developed by ISU students to melt snow and is being tested at the Des Moines Airport.
 
"I want them to stay in Iowa. I want them to have the experience here that says, we're going to be supported, mentored, provided opportunities - we're going to stay and start our business in Iowa," Ms. Wintersteen said. "These are the things that will make a difference for Iowa's economy, this is how we can start to grow the economy from the grassroots up."
 
Asked about how the state's ongoing disinvestment in higher education has impacted ISU's ability to support these expanded initiatives - including the fact that a similar innovation center at the University of Iowa was put on hold this year - Ms. Wintersteen said that university leaders worked with its colleges to "manage" more than $2 million in budget cuts in a way that "didn't directly impact what we do with our students." She acknowledged that it led to differential tuition rates for certain STEM programs, based on the larger expenses faced by those programs, but noted that ISU's tuition is the lowest in the Big 12 conference and lower than many of its other peers.
 
Ms. Wintersteen also acknowledged that the state has many other expenses that have "grown dramatically in the last decade," but insisted that the university is an investment in the state's future, rather than a cost.
 
"If we can have more entrepreneurs, if we can keep the founders of businesses in this state, if we can recruit people to the state to work, then we'll have more money for higher education," she said.
T3 questions with Alexis Ohanian, founder of Reddit 
 
Alexis Ohanian
He founded the enormously popular website Reddit, married tennis champion Serena Williams, and was proclaimed "Mayor of the Internet" by Forbes - it's safe to say Alexis Ohanian is "living the dream."
 
These days, Mr. Ohanian is helping scout investment opportunities for Initialized Capital, the $250 million-plus venture capital firm he co-founded, and enjoying his first year of fatherhood.
 
During his upcoming appearance at the inaugural NewBo Evolve festival next month in Cedar Rapids, Mr. Ohanian will sh are his thoughts on the future of the i nternet, the meaning of his tagline, " Lives remaining: Zero," and how that sense of urgency that has led him to write a best-seller, found or co-found a series of successful i nternet businesses, and provide seed fundin g for six ventures that became billion-dollar companies.
 
We had a few minutes to talk with Mr. Ohanian about his upcoming visit, and asked him these questions:
 
The Corridor has a relatively small startup community that is really trying to get on the map, but without a strong venture capital base. What's our best shot at getting more funds flowing into startups?
 
AO: A key part of the early-stage tech ecosystem is just angel investors. They're people who've made money themselves, ideally at tech companies o r as tech founders. They are in the best position to identify early technology talent, and if something works they're in a good position to evaluate and manage risk. They have these angel investors' checks that are the key to getting companies started.
The cost of doing that [launching startups] on the web is actually going down. It's getting cheaper and cheaper and so it's costing less money to get in. Angel investors are able to do more and do it with smaller checks. We're also seeing the rise of direct-t o-consumer brands, and many of these are being enabled by pre-orders. If you really target your Facebook ads, you can understand very quickly what the demand is. You don't have to go out and order 10,000 units when all you need is 5,000. And that trend is going to continue.
 
Last year you and your wife Serena had your first child. Did that change how you view the internet?
 
It definitely makes the work that I do at Initialized have more meaning. We pride ourselves on bein g the first check in at the companies we invest in. We've been able to believe in a founder before anyone else, and when I think about what these companies will be providing 10 years out, they will be part of my daughter's world. I can't help but think ab out how the work I'm doing is going to make the world better for my kids.
 
One of the things that distinguishes your companies are their mascots, which you've actually designed yourself. Should every startup have a mascot?
 
I've taken great pride in designing mascots for my companies. Reddit is one of the most well-known and well- recognized, and tattooed on people. When you're trying to build a brand, you need all of the recognition you can get. We h ave an easier time recognizing images than words. Mascots fell out of favor after the first dot.com boom. Our investor Paul Graham tried to talk me out of it, but I'm a very stubborn entrepreneur and we definitely made the right choice [ a time-traveling alien with red eyes]. And with Initialized, we have this honey badger. It's relentless and resilient. These things do not quit, and we like the symbolism of that.
 
Mr. Ohanian will speak at 11:30 a.m. on August 5. For more information on NewBo Evolve or to register, visit gocedarrapids.com.
Para3(ISC)² extends testing agreement with Pearson unit
 
(ISC)², an international association for certified cybersecurity professionals, has extended its multi-year agreement with Pearson VUE, a global leader in computer-based testing.
 
As part of the partnership, Pearson VUE's team of measurement scientists will work with (ISC)² subject matter experts to develop exam content for the ever-changing field of information security.
 
The exams, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, are now being delivered via Pearson VUE's network of secure test centers in 180 countries around the world. Candidates can take the tests on demand at a local test center, adding flexibility and convenience to the certification process.
 
"The extension of our partnership with (ISC)² is great news for both Pearson VUE and security specialists around the world," said Bob Whelan, president of Pearson Assessments. "Access to this exam will continue to enrich lives and careers, as we continue to provide increasingly sophisticated computer-based assessment solutions in the dynamic field of information security."
 
Pearson VUE offers computer-based testing for certification and licensure exams in the health care, finance, information technology, academic and admissions markets, and is a business unit of global learning company Pearson, which maintains a test scoring center in Iowa City. Learn more about Pearson VUE at its website.
Para4BetterHires looks to connect students, business
 
Winning the top slot at Startup Weekend Iowa City this month wasn't on Kiki Levy's mind when the Roosevelt High School student pitched her concept to the crowd, Kate Hayden of the Des Moines Business Record reports.
 
Ms. Levy, 16, was thinking more about her friend, who had recently taken a summer job in retail.
   
"I realized when I looked at my friend and his search for a job, that it wasn't necessarily because they want to do that job, it was because it was an easy way of making money," Ms. Levy, a high school junior, said. "He was looking for a job where he could apply his talents or get insights into a different career. ... But it's very difficult to find something like that for high schoolers."
   
Like the post-school business world, it's about connections.
   
"I really just want to even the playing field," she added.
   
Ms. Levy and her team developed the concept for BetterHires, an app and web portal that matches high school students with local businesses advertising internships, part-time jobs, job shadow opportunities or mentor luncheons.
   
At Startup Weekend, Ms. Levy's idea won over the support of her sister Mia, 15, as well as software developer Jessica Duffy and business advisor/marketer Wheaten Mather. By the end of the weekend, judges ranked BetterHires first place out of five teams, and co-competitors awarded the concept the Crowd Choice Award.
   
"It really came down to we were all really passionate about our idea, and we really want to see it go on further," Ms. Levy said.
   
After one weekend, her focus shifted for the rest of the summer. Ms. Levy is now building a list of students and 50-100 businesses interested in trying out the platform, which Ms. Duffy is developing in her free time. For now, Ms. Levy has a list of 15 businesses and 30 students interested in the product, and plans to incorporate BetterHires in 2018.
   
Students who sign up through BetterHires will create a profile of skills they have or are interested in learning, with the ability of uploading documents or videos. Students will check a home feed to see the most recent postings, and can narrow the search down with filters to select paid opportunities or those in certain fields.
   
Read the full story in the Business Record's Innovation Iowa newsletter.
Para5ImOn Communications moving HQ to Kingston Village
 
ImOn Communications announced last week it will be relocating its headquarters to the Peoples Bank building at 101 Third Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids beginning this fall.
 
The company is currently located in the Great America building on First Avenue SE. It will occupy the third and fourth floors of its new home when the move is completed in the spring of 2019.
 
The company, which provides cable and internet service throughout the region, will relocate about 70 employees to the Kingston Village location, and expects to add an additional 45 employees over the next five years.
 
"We're thrilled to be one of the first large companies to move to the Kingston Village area," CEO Patrice Carroll said in a statement. "Downtown doesn't stop at the river. Our employees enjoy working downtown, and with this move we can continue to offer them that experience while also contributing to the ongoing revitalization on the west side of the river in Kingston Village."
 
ImOn considered several factors when selecting its new headquarters location, including room for future expansion, easy interstate access, available parking and the opportunity for employees to enjoy surrounding businesses during off-work hours, according to the company. ImOn was also looking for flexibility to incorporate more innovative work and collaboration spaces, with the new location "checking all the boxes," Ms. Carroll added.
 
ImOn currently offers walk-in service at the Great America building, where customers can pay their bill, return equipment, and get their questions answered. This service will continue to be offered at the new location and will likely be the last department to move in. ImOn customers will be notified well in advance of the move to minimize any inconvenience.
 
In addition to the headquarters location, ImOn has a warehouse facility in Cedar Rapids as well as office and warehouse space in Iowa City and Dubuque.
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stockCorridor Stocks

NAME SYM PRICE CHG %CHG
AEGON AEG 6.535 0.105 1.63%
Alliant Energy  LNT 42.88 0.57 1.35%
Deere & Company DE 144.52 6.32 4.57%
Dow Jones ^DJI 25,415.19 108.36 0.43%
General Mills GIS 46.03 0.12 0.25%
GoDaddy Inc. GDDY 73.46 0.11 0.15%
Great Western Bank GWB 41.88 -0.15 -0.36%
Heartland Express HTLD 19.22 0.09 0.50%
KemPharm KMPH 4.15 0.25 6.41%
Marsh & McLennan MMC 83.24 -0.83 -0.99%
MidWestOne  MOFG 31.93 -0.47 -1.45%
Pearson PSO 12.06 -0.04 -0.29%
Pepsico PEP 114.85 0.67 0.58%
Principal Financial  PFG 58.06 -0.21 -0.35%
QCR Holdings QCRH 43.47 -0.28 -0.63%
Rockwell Collins  COL 138.72 1.30 0.95%
S&P 500 ^GSPC 2,816.29 13.69 0.49%
Tanger Factory  SKT 23.81 0.19 0.80%
Procter & Gamble  PG 80.82 0.62 0.77%
United Fire Group UFCS 60.20 -0.40 -0.66%
U.S. Bank USB 52.91 -0.07 -0.13%
Wells Fargo  WFC 57.28 -1.21 -2.07%
West Bank WTBA 24.90 0.20 0.81%
Whirlpool  WHR 130.93 3.03 2.37%
Short-Term Event Planner
       
July 31 
Ribbon Cutting: CPR Cell Phone Repair , by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 4 p.m., 2439 Second St., Coralville. Help congratulate and welcome CPR Cell Phone Repair to the Coralville business community. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2mkPTYd.
 
August 1
1 Million Cups, by 1MC, 9-10 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids and MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, startup pitches and free coffee. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MCICR.
 
Groundbreaking: Hotel Millwright, by Hotel Millwright, 10 a.m., 800 48th Ave., Amana. Help celebrate the groundbreaking of Amana's first boutique hotel and conference center. Free. For more information and to RSVP, contact [email protected].
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28 
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
Poweshiek County authorities are updating their progress on the search for Mollie Tibbetts in a news conference on Tuesday. The 20-year-old University of Iowa student from Brooklyn was last seen jogging in town on July 18. She had been staying at her boyfriend's house to dog sit. Her last known articles  of clothing are believed to be dark-colored running shorts, a pink sports top and running shoes. On average, 30-40 investigators are working on the case, and they have received in excess of 200 leads. Law enforcement has now established a dedicated tip line for any information related to Mollie's disappearance. That number is 800-452-1111. You can also call 515-223-1400 or email [email protected]. A $2,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the discovery of where she is or an arrest and conviction in her disappearance. Information called in to 800-452-1111 will be shared with the Poweshiek Sheriff's office.
Thousands of visitors from at least 27 states are planning on coming to the Corridor this weekend for "newbo evolve," the three-day festival of art, fashion, music, and inspiration. Organizers expect at least 10,000 people to attend the main concerts, featuring Kelly Clarkson and Maroon 5.  For months, Park Cedar Rapids has been working with GO Cedar Rapids to plan for parking around Downtown Cedar Rapids this weekend.  All Downtown parking structures will be staffed for event parking,  so people will be asked to pay up front, whether or not they're attending the festival. Depending on how close the parking structure is to the concert venue at the Sinclair Levy, parking will cost anywhere from a flat rate of $5-$10 per day. The higher priced parking will be in Lot 44 and the South Side Parking Ramp on Second Street, as they're closest to the convert venue.
  
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast
 
The stretch of near- and below-normal temperatures will come to an end over the weekend as summer makes a comeback. It is going to be warm, comfortable and fairly calm to start the week. Temperatures will be near 80 degrees each afternoon today through Thursday. There will be the chance for a few stray showers today. There will be a few showers and storms Wednesday night as a weak cold front moves through. Then the pattern changes. Hot, humid air will make its way back into the Midwest over the weekend. Temperatures will be warming up into the upper 80s to low 90s and humidity will be higher Friday through Sunday. There will be a few scattered showers and storms around on Sunday.