Who Funds Software As A Service Startups in Iowa?

Complete funding guide for software as a service entrepreneurs in Iowa. Find 13 VC funds, 4 accelerators,3 angel networks, and 4 grant opportunities.

$113M
Total 2026 Funding
166
Deals Completed
$4M
Avg Round Size
17
Active Funders

Software As A Service Startup Funding Landscape in Iowa

Market Overview

The software as a service startup ecosystem in Iowa has experienced remarkable growth, with $113M in funding across 166 deals in 2026.This represents 21% year-over-year growth compared to the previous year, positioning Iowaas a highly competitive market forsoftware as a service innovation.

The average funding round size of $4M reflects strong investor confidence in Iowa-based software as a service startups. Competition levels are currently high, with 13 active VC funds specifically targeting this sector.

Top Funded Sectors in Iowa

Software As A ServiceArtificial IntelligenceSoftware As A Service

Location Advantages

Iowa offers a concentrated software as a service ecosystem with specialized talent

Strong government support for software as a service innovation and R&D tax incentives

Access to leading universities and research institutions in the region

Lower operational costs compared to traditional tech hubs like San Francisco

Success Factors for Software As A Service Startups

  • Deep expertise in software as a service domain
  • Strong technical team with proven track record
  • Clear market validation and customer traction
  • Scalable business model with defensible moats
  • Access to industry-specific mentors and advisors

Software As A Service VC Funds in Iowa

13 active funds

Iowa Software As A Service Partners A

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2020💰 $364M AUM

seed stage focus • 28 portfolio companies

$8M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 1
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners B

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2019💰 $407M AUM

series-a stage focus • 38 portfolio companies

$5M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 2
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners C

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2011💰 $517M AUM

series-b stage focus • 30 portfolio companies

$6M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 3
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners D

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2012💰 $443M AUM

seed stage focus • 66 portfolio companies

$2M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise Software

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 4
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners E

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2017💰 $510M AUM

series-b stage focus • 40 portfolio companies

$2M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise Software

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 5
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners F

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2017💰 $148M AUM

series-a stage focus • 36 portfolio companies

$9M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 6
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners G

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2020💰 $522M AUM

series-b stage focus • 24 portfolio companies

$6M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 7
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners H

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2016💰 $516M AUM

series-b stage focus • 41 portfolio companies

$5M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise Software

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 8
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners I

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2023💰 $347M AUM

seed stage focus • 42 portfolio companies

$7M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 9
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners J

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2021💰 $398M AUM

series-a stage focus • 48 portfolio companies

$5M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 10
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners K

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2013💰 $319M AUM

seed stage focus • 39 portfolio companies

$2M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise Software

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 11
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners L

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2016💰 $529M AUM

series-b stage focus • 56 portfolio companies

$8M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise Software

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 12
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Iowa Software As A Service Partners M

📍 Iowa📅 Founded 2016💰 $235M AUM

series-b stage focus • 53 portfolio companies

$8M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise Software

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 13
Iowa AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Iowa-based startups
Learn More →

Software As A Service Accelerators in Iowa

4 programs

Iowa Software As A Service Accelerator 1

📍 Iowa⏱️ 12-16 weeks👥 21 startups/batch
$240K
for 6% equity
82% success rate

Program Focus

Software As A ServiceStartup GrowthProduct Development
Next Application Deadline: 2024-08-15
Meetings:
Apply Now →

Iowa Software As A Service Accelerator 2

📍 Iowa⏱️ 12-16 weeks👥 15 startups/batch
$135K
for 5% equity
86% success rate

Program Focus

Software As A ServiceStartup GrowthProduct Development
Next Application Deadline: 2024-10-15
Meetings:
Apply Now →

Iowa Software As A Service Accelerator 3

📍 Iowa⏱️ 12-16 weeks👥 13 startups/batch
$103K
for 5% equity
74% success rate

Program Focus

Software As A ServiceStartup GrowthProduct Development
Next Application Deadline: 2024-04-15
Meetings:
Apply Now →

Iowa Software As A Service Accelerator 4

📍 Iowa⏱️ 12-16 weeks👥 16 startups/batch
$121K
for 5% equity
77% success rate

Program Focus

Software As A ServiceStartup GrowthProduct Development
Next Application Deadline: 2024-12-15
Meetings:
Apply Now →

Angel Investor Networks in Iowa

3 networks

Iowa Software As A Service Angels

👥 77 members💰 $97K avg investment

📍 Iowa

Focus Industries

Software As A ServiceTechnologyInnovation
Meets: Monthly
Connect →

Iowa Software As A Service Angels

👥 71 members💰 $78K avg investment

📍 Iowa

Focus Industries

Software As A ServiceTechnologyInnovation
Meets: Monthly
Connect →

Iowa Software As A Service Angels

👥 88 members💰 $51K avg investment

📍 Iowa

Focus Industries

Software As A ServiceTechnologyInnovation
Meets: Monthly
Connect →

Software As A Service Grants Available in Iowa

SBIR Software As A Service Grant

by Iowa Innovation Agency

Software As A Service startups based in Iowa

$250K
Grant Amount
Deadline: 2024-05-28Apply →

STTR Software As A Service Grant

by Iowa Innovation Agency

Software As A Service startups based in Iowa

$250K
Grant Amount
Deadline: 2024-08-28Apply →

State Innovation Software As A Service Grant

by Iowa Innovation Agency

Software As A Service startups based in Iowa

$100K
Grant Amount
Deadline: 2024-04-28Apply →

Federal Research Software As A Service Grant

by Iowa Innovation Agency

Software As A Service startups based in Iowa

$250K
Grant Amount
Deadline: 2024-08-28Apply →

2026 Funding Timeline for Software As A Service Startups in Iowa

Q1 2026

Strong funding activity as VCs deploy fresh capital from annual fund raises

Q2 2026

Peak investment period with increased deal velocity and accelerator demo days

Q3 2026

Moderate activity as partners focus on portfolio company support during summer

Q4 2026

Year-end push to deploy remaining capital and close pending deals

Best Months to Fundraise in Iowa

FebruaryMarchMay

Frequently Asked Questions: Software As A Service Funding in Iowa

How competitive is software as a service startup funding in Iowa?

Software As A Service startup funding in Iowa is high, with 13 active VC funds and 4 accelerator programs competing for deals. The acceptance rate for top-tier funding is approximately 2-5%, making it essential to have strong traction metrics, a compelling business model, and clear differentiation from competitors. Success factors includeDeep expertise in software as a service domain, Strong technical team with proven track record, Clear market validation and customer traction.

What's the average funding amount for software as a service startups in Iowa?

Software As A Service startups in Iowa raise an average of $4M per funding round, based on 166 deals completed in 2026. This represents 21% year-over-year growthcompared to the previous year. Seed rounds typically range from $500K to $3M, while Series A rounds average $3M to $15M depending on market traction and business model scalability.

Which software as a service accelerators in Iowa have the highest success rates?

Top software as a service accelerators in Iowa report success rates of 75-85% for follow-on funding, with program lengths ranging from 12-16 weeks and equity terms of 4-7%. The most successful programs focus onsoftware-as-a-service and startup-growthand provide extensive mentor networks, investor connections, and post-graduation support lasting 2+ years.

What are the key advantages of starting a software as a service company in Iowa?

Iowa offers several unique advantages for software as a service startups: Iowa offers a concentrated software as a service ecosystem with specialized talent, Strong government support for software as a service innovation and R&D tax incentives, and Access to leading universities and research institutions in the region. The local ecosystem includes 13 specialized VC funds, 3 angel networks, and 4 grant programs specifically supporting software as a service innovation.

When is the best time to fundraise for software as a service startups in Iowa?

The optimal fundraising months in Iowa are February, March, May, when investor activity peaks and deal velocity increases. Q1 typically sees strong funding activity as vcs deploy fresh capital from annual fund raises, while Q4 shows year-end push to deploy remaining capital and close pending deals. Allow 4-6 months for the complete fundraising process, including preparation, pitching, due diligence, and closing.

How can I connect with software as a service investors in Iowa?

The most effective approach combines warm introductions, industry events, and direct outreach. Start by leveraging your network for introductions to the 13 active VC funds in Iowa. Join relevant software as a service meetups, attend pitch competitions, and participate in accelerator demo days. Angel networks like Iowa Software As A Service Angels host regular investor meetings and can provide valuable early-stage funding and mentorship.

Your Software As A Service Funding Action Plan for Iowa

1

Research & Prepare

  • • Analyze the 13 VC funds targeting software as a service
  • • Review portfolio companies and investment criteria
  • • Prepare compelling pitch deck and financial projections
  • • Gather customer testimonials and traction metrics
2

Apply & Connect

  • • Apply to 4 relevant accelerator programs
  • • Connect with 3 angel investor networks
  • • Apply for 4 available grant opportunities
  • • Leverage warm introductions through your network
3

Execute & Scale

  • • Target optimal fundraising months: February, March
  • • Leverage Iowa's software as a service ecosystem
  • • Plan for 4-6 month fundraising timeline
  • • Prepare for high competition levels