ISA Ventures
ISA Ventures is a Cedar Rapids-based multi-stage venture capital firm managing a $22M fund that invests $25k-$1M in Iowa-based technology companies across early, growth, and expansion stages. It also operates the Iowa Startup Accelerator and a $750/year accredited-investor syndicate network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersCedar Rapids, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ISA Ventures does
ISA Ventures is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based venture capital firm that operates as Iowa's first multi-stage venture capital fund. The firm invests equity capital ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000 in Iowa-based technology companies across three stages: pre-revenue early-stage startups, rapidly growing young companies with marketplace traction, and expansion-stage businesses preparing for exit. Portfolio companies must maintain principal operations in Iowa. The fund focuses on biotechnology and healthcare, education technology, engineering and automation, agriculture/food/bioprocessing, insurance and finance technology, and transportation/logistics sectors.
The firm operates three core products: a $22 million multi-stage venture capital fund (ISA Ventures Fund, LLLP), the affiliated Iowa Startup Accelerator (a 14-week intensive program providing seed funding, mentors, and product development expertise), and a Syndicate Membership that gives accredited investors access to 8-10 deal opportunities per year, investor education, VC office hours, and networking for a $750 annual fee. The fund's core technology is described as "not applicable," as ISA Ventures itself does not develop technology products; instead, it is structurally embedded in the NewBoCo (New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative) ecosystem, which provides portfolio companies access to DeltaV Code School talent, Vault Coworking space, prototyping labs, and technology perks (AWS, HubSpot, Google Cloud).
The business model generates revenue through standard VC management fees on committed capital from over 100 Limited Partners (including Alliant Energy, GreenState Credit Union, and UFG Insurance), recurring syndicate membership fees, and — over the long term — capital appreciation from portfolio company exits via acquisitions or IPOs. Go-to-market is multi-channel: deal flow originates from the Iowa Startup Accelerator pipeline and direct outreach to Iowa-based startups, while LP and syndicate capital is sourced through the firm's website, regional events such as EntreFEST, press coverage, and word-of-mouth within the regional angel and co-investor network (Next Level Ventures, Mid-American Angels, Ankeny Angels, Ag Startup Engine, Iowa Farm Bureau's Rural Vitality Fund). The fund is operated by a small full-time team (General Partner Eric Engelmann, Director of Operations Erin Myrent, Director of Investor Relations Kevin Bradley) supported by a five-person advisory board.
ISA Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ISA Ventures
- Legal name
- ISA Ventures Fund Management, LLC
- Website
- https://isaventures.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ISA Ventures is a Cedar Rapids-based multi-stage venture capital firm managing a $22M fund that invests $25k-$1M in Iowa-based technology companies across early, growth, and expansion stages. It also operates the Iowa Startup Accelerator and a $750/year accredited-investor syndicate network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ISA Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Other Financial Vehicles (52599), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394)
- SIC
- Investors, Nec (6799), Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Micro-VC & Angel Funds (FSANAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
Keywords
Where ISA Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cedar Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ISA Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Portfolio Investment Returns: Returns generated through successful portfolio company exits including acquisitions and IPOs. The fund invests equity in exchange for ownership stakes, seeking capital appreciation through exits.
- Management Fees: Standard VC fund management fees charged to limited partner investors on committed capital.
- Syndicate Membership Fees: Annual membership fee of $750 provides accredited investors access to investment opportunities, investor education, and networking events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Early-stage investments ranging from $25k-$100k |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Growth and scaleup investments of $100k-$500k |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Expansion-stage investments up to $1 million |
| Subscription | Annual | Syndicate membership for accredited investors |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
ISA Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ISA Ventures operates Iowa's first multi-stage venture capital fund, deploying $25,000 to $1 million equity investments into Iowa-based technology companies across early-stage, rapid-growth, and expansion stages, with potential follow-on funding up to four times per company. The fund is supplemented by a 14-week Iowa Startup Accelerator program providing seed funding and mentorship, and a $750/year syndicate membership offering accredited investors access to 8-10 curated investment opportunities annually.
Product overview
ISA Ventures operates as Iowa's first multi-stage venture capital fund, offering a coordinated investment ecosystem that combines the ISA Ventures Fund (a $22M fund investing $25k-$1M in Iowa tech companies), the Iowa Startup Accelerator (a 14-week intensive program with Foundation through Expansion stage progression), and a Syndicate Membership for accredited investors. The fund focuses on biotechnology, healthcare, education technologies, engineering & automation, agriculture/food/bioprocessing, insurance & finance, and transportation & logistics sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ISA Ventures Fund A $22 million multi-stage venture capital fund focused exclusively on Iowa-based technology companies, providing equity investments from $25,000 to $1 million across early-stage, rapid-growth, and expansion-stage companies in biotechnology, healthcare, education technology, engineering and automation, agriculture/food/bioprocessing, insurance and finance technology, and transportation and logistics sectors. Includes follow-on funding up to four times per company.
- Iowa Startup Accelerator A 14-week intensive accelerator program operated in partnership with NewBoCo that matches Iowa-based startups with seed funding, world-class mentors, and product development expertise. Offers programming progression through Foundation, Growth, Scaleup, and Expansion stages to prepare portfolio companies for follow-on investment.
- Syndicate Membership A Midwestern network of accredited investors paying $750/year for access to 8-10 curated investment opportunities annually, investor education programming, VC office hours, networking events, and a monthly newsletter. Deal flow is sourced and vetted by ISA Ventures' full-time staff from hundreds of opportunities per year.
Quantifiable outcome
- Prior ISA Fund I: $1.7M invested in 41 companies from 2014-2019
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ISA Ventures
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
ISA Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ISA Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NewBoCo (New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative)coreParent organization (501(c)(3)) providing startup ecosystem including Iowa Startup Accelerator, DeltaV Code School, Vault Coworking, and prototyping labs. ISA Ventures is connected to NewBoCo and entrepreneurs can access these programs and services through their investment relationship.
- DeltaV Code SchoolcorePart of NewBoCo ecosystem, DeltaV trains software developers, digital marketers, sales professionals, and customer success personnel. Portfolio companies receive priority introductions to prospective talent from DeltaV programs.
- Vault CoworkingminorCoworking space in Cedar Rapids operated by NewBoCo. Portfolio companies receive free access to coworking and meeting spaces a few days per month.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ISA Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Y Combinator: The largest global accelerator and seed investor, providing a benchmark for accelerator-to-VC pipelines and standard $500k deal terms. Comparable as the broad incumbent whose accelerator model ISAV's Iowa Startup Accelerator replicates at regional scale.
- Techstars: Global accelerator operator with structured programs producing deal flow into affiliated investment vehicles. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the accelerator-to-VC model that ISAV's Iowa Startup Accelerator relationship emulates.
Direct peers
- Next Level Ventures: Iowa-based venture capital firm co-investing with ISA Ventures (including the co-led $6.5M Gross-Wen round). Writes $0.5M-$5M minority checks in growing Iowa companies — directly comparable stage, geography, and sector mandate.
- Ag Startup Engine: Iowa-based agtech-focused seed investor that co-invests with ISA Ventures in agriculture-adjacent portfolio companies. Directly comparable stage (seed/early) and overlapping regional deal flow.
- Mid-American Angels: Regional angel network in the Midwest that co-invests with ISA Ventures (participated in the $6.5M Gross-Wen round). Directly comparable as an Iowa-region early-stage capital provider.
- Iowa Farm Bureau's Rural Vitality Fund: Iowa-focused investment vehicle that co-led the $6.5M Gross-Wen Series A alongside ISA Ventures. Operates with a rural Iowa mandate similar to ISAV's portfolio tilt, making it a direct co-investment peer.
Others
- NewBoCo (New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative): 501(c)(3) parent organization of the Iowa Startup Accelerator, DeltaV Code School, and Vault Coworking, providing the ecosystem scaffolding ISAV leverages for deal flow, talent, and workspace. Comparable as a strategic ecosystem partner rather than a direct capital competitor.
Emerging players
- gener8tor: Multi-city accelerator and venture fund operating a similar model of accelerator pipeline feeding investment activity. Comparable as an early-stage investor with structured programs, though geographically broader than Iowa-only ISAV.
Regional players
- Flywheel Fund (formerly Iowa Angel Funds): Iowa- and Midwest-focused early-stage investment vehicle backing founders across multiple sectors. Comparable as a regional multi-stage peer operating in overlapping Iowa deal flow.
- InvestMidwest / Mid-America Angels Network: Midwest regional capital network running venture forums and capital formation events that overlap with ISA Ventures' LP and syndication model. Comparable as a regional capital formation peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ISA Ventures social profiles
Digital presenceISA Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ISA Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
ISA Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ISA Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments17 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ISA Ventures
What does ISA Ventures do?
ISA Ventures operates Iowa's first multi-stage venture capital fund, deploying $25,000 to $1 million equity investments into Iowa-based technology companies across early-stage, rapid-growth, and expansion stages, with potential follow-on funding up to four times per company. The fund is supplemented by a 14-week Iowa Startup Accelerator program providing seed funding and mentorship, and a $750/year syndicate membership offering accredited investors access to 8-10 curated investment opportunities annually.
Is ISA Ventures a public or private company?
ISA Ventures is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ISA Ventures founded?
ISA Ventures was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ISA Ventures based?
ISA Ventures is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does ISA Ventures make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Portfolio Investment Returns are the primary driver. The others are management Fees and syndicate Membership Fees.
Who are ISA Ventures's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Y Combinator and Techstars. Direct peers are Next Level Ventures, Ag Startup Engine, Mid-American Angels and Iowa Farm Bureau's Rural Vitality Fund. NewBoCo (New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative) is listed as an others. gener8tor is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Flywheel Fund (formerly Iowa Angel Funds) and InvestMidwest / Mid-America Angels Network.
Does ISA Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for ISA Ventures.
What industry is ISA Ventures in?
ISA Ventures's product category is Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAI, Micro-VC & Angel Funds, with a secondary code of FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated). Its NAICS code is 52599 and its SIC code is 6799.