There’s energy abuzz in Muscatine. It’s an energy fueled by creators and doers; people starting things.
Muscatine, Iowa is a town with deep entrepreneurial roots fed by a mighty river runs.
First planted in the late 19th century when Muscatine became the Pearl Button Capital of the world.
Blossoming after World War II, word-class companies like The HON Company, Bandag, Grain Processing Corporation, and MUSCO Sports Lighting grew to become the economic engine for this small community on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Today, thriving energy drives the community. New ideas, new products, and new companies are taking root in Muscatine. This energy is driving a startup community determined to grow the city’s next generation of entrepreneurs and great companies.
Now, by launching a Startup Grind chapter in Muscatine, the community will have yet another way to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs.
The E-Center (Muscatine Center for Business Development), Muscatine Community College and other Muscatine startup community drivers have established a Startup Grind chapter to add to happenings like the monthly Open Coffee, the annual Muscatine Entrepreneurship Exposition, and the MCC Entrepreneurship Certificate Program.
Startup Grind Muscatine is part of a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. The cornerstone of this global community are monthly events featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers, and annual conferences provide entrepreneurs with ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey. Startup Grind is the world’s largest startup family, full of entrepreneurs, investors, and community builders, now spanning over 175 cities and 70 countries.
Startup Grind Muscatine will host a monthly event involving networking opportunities and a fireside chat with a leading local entrepreneurial leader. Each month, the fireside chat will be recorded for airing on the local Public Access television channel and on the Startup Grind YouTube channel. Video production will be done by students from Muscatine’s East Campus High School in a collaboration with students and faculty at Muscatine Community College.
The inaugural Muscatine Startup Grind is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15 at Contrary Brewing Company. Mark Mitchell, founder & brewer, will be the guest for the first fireside chat. Mark will tell of his passion for beer as well as the Contrary Brewing Company startup story. Muscatine Startup Grind will begin with networking at 5:30pm and the fireside chat at 6:30. Startup Grind Muscatine will be held the third Tuesday of every month. Plans for subsequent fireside chat guest entrepreneurs and a permanent location are still in the works.
Sign up for the first Muscatine Startup Grind event here and learn more about Muscatine's businesses, visit the E-Center Website.