Iowa Business Growth

What Iowa Business Growth does

Iowa Business Growth (IBGC) is a non-profit Certified Development Company (CDC) headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, founded in 1974 and operating with 1–10 employees. The organization specializes in administering SBA 504 business loans, a Community Lending Fund for borrowers that do not meet traditional bank requirements, and a New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program. In 2023, IBGC and partner Iowa Community Development were jointly awarded a $45 million NMTC allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury / CDFI Fund to drive economic development in underserved Iowa communities.

The company does not lend directly to consumers; instead it operates a B2B2C model in which 20+ partner banks and credit unions across Iowa originate SBA 504 loans that IBGC then services and supports. Its technology footprint is minimal: a public website, a 504 loan calculator, and a Mailchimp newsletter platform for content marketing. Core products — 504 Loan Program, Community Lending Fund, and New Markets Tax Credits — are well-defined with publicly disclosed debenture rate sheets (e.g., 5.585%–6.170% across 10/20/25-year terms).

Revenue is generated through transaction-based loan servicing fees, debenture pricing spreads, and program fees on NMTC allocations; specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. IBGC is recognized as the top SBA 504 lender in Iowa and has maintained a 50-year membership with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI). In April 2026, long-time CEO Dan Robeson retired, marking a notable leadership transition. The organization's geographic scope is intentionally limited to Iowa, with all operations and program deployment focused on in-state small businesses.

Name

Iowa Business Growth

Legal name

Iowa Business Growth

Website

https://iowabusinessgrowth.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Iowa Business Growth is a non-profit Certified Development Company that administers SBA 504 loans, a Community Lending Fund, and New Markets Tax Credits for small businesses across Iowa, working through a network of 20+ partner banks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Commercial Lending

NAICS

Sales Financing (52222), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI), Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF)

Keywords

• SBA 504 loans
• Community lending fund
• New markets tax credits
• Small business financing
• Commercial real estate loans

Headquarters

HQ city

Johnston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. SBA 504 Loan Program: Iowa Business Growth generates revenue as a Certified Development Company (CDC) administering SBA 504 loans. The program provides long-term, fixed-rate financing for small businesses through a partnership structure where the company provides up to 40% of project financing (debenture), with a bank providing 50% and the borrower contributing 10%. Revenue is generated through loan servicing fees and debenture pricing.
2. Community Lending Fund: Provides financing for businesses that may not meet traditional lending requirements, operating as an alternative/community lending program.
3. New Markets Tax Credit Program: Awarded $45 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation to further economic development within Iowa. The company serves as an allocator of federal NMTC funds to qualifying projects in underserved communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Iowa Business Growth is a non-profit Certified Development Company (CDC) that administers SBA 504 business loans providing long-term fixed-rate financing for commercial real estate and equipment purchases by Iowa small businesses. The company also operates a Community Lending Fund for borrowers that do not qualify for traditional bank financing, and channels a $45 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation to qualifying projects in underserved Iowa communities.

Product overview

Iowa Business Growth is a single unified lending organization offering SBA 504 loans, Community Lending Fund financing, and New Markets Tax Credit programs. The 504 Loan Program provides long-term fixed-rate financing for small businesses through partnerships with banks. The Community Lending Fund serves businesses that may not qualify for traditional financing. The New Markets Tax Credit program connects businesses with NMTC allocations to support development in underserved areas. The company also offers a 504 Loan Calculator tool for prospective borrowers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 504 Loan Program: SBA 504 business loan program providing long-term financing to small businesses through partnership with traditional lenders.
• Community Lending Fund
• New Markets Tax Credits

Products and services

• 504 Loan Program SBA 504 business loans provided to small businesses that are already qualified borrowers through a trusted financial institution. The program offers long-term fixed rates for 10, 20, and 25-year loan terms with manufacturing and standard rate options, and is structured as a partnership where the CDC provides up to 40% of project financing, a bank provides 50%, and the borrower contributes 10%.
• Community Lending Fund Financing solution for businesses that need funding but may not meet traditional bank lending requirements. Provides necessary capital to help Iowa businesses grow and thrive when conventional financing is unavailable.
• New Markets Tax Credits Program connecting Iowa businesses and lenders with New Markets Tax Credits to encourage economic development in underdeveloped/underserved areas of Iowa. The company was awarded a $45 million NMTC allocation in 2023 to support qualifying community development projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• SBA approved $139.3M in financing in the state of Iowa (January 2024)

Named customers37 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Iowa Community DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2024Iowa Business Growth and Iowa Community Development were jointly awarded a $45 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation. This partnership allows both organizations to further economic development within the state of Iowa by channeling federal NMTC funds to qualifying projects in underserved communities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• CDC Small Business Finance: One of the largest Certified Development Companies (CDCs) in the U.S., administering SBA 504 loans nationwide. Closely comparable to Iowa Business Growth as a fellow CDC with the same SBA 504 origination model and bank partnership structure.
• Florida First Capital Finance Corporation: A Certified Development Company focused on SBA 504 lending in Florida. Directly comparable to Iowa Business Growth as a state-focused CDC administering SBA 504 loans through bank partnerships.
• Pacific Community Capital: A Certified Development Company administering SBA 504 loans in California and the western U.S. Directly comparable to Iowa Business Growth as a regional CDC with the same SBA 504 origination model.
• Business & Community Lenders (BCL) of Texas: A Texas-based Certified Development Company providing SBA 504 loans and community development financing. Directly comparable to Iowa Business Growth as a non-profit CDC with similar SBA 504 and community lending programs.
• Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation: A Certified Development Company administering SBA 504 loans in Kentucky with a community development mandate. Directly comparable to Iowa Business Growth as a rural-focused, mission-driven CDC.
• Vermont Community Development Program: A regional CDC administering SBA 504 loans in Vermont. Comparable to Iowa Business Growth as a state-focused Certified Development Company with bank partnership networks.
• Iowa Community Development: Iowa-based community development partner that jointly received the $45M NMTC allocation with Iowa Business Growth. Closely comparable as a peer organization operating in the same Iowa community development ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI): A large CDFI and NMTC allocator based in Maine that combines SBA lending with broader community development financing. Comparable to Iowa Business Growth on the NMTC and SBA lending dimensions, though with a wider product set.
• Capital Impact Partners: A national CDFI providing SBA 504 loans and community development financing. Overlaps with Iowa Business Growth on SBA 504 and NMTC programs but operates at significantly greater national scale.

Emerging players

• Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF): A national CDFI focused on financing nonprofits and social enterprises. Partially comparable to Iowa Business Growth through its community development focus and SBA-adjacent financing activities, though with a different borrower profile.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iowa Business Growth