The Innovation EXPO 2015 will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Coralville Marriott Hotel.

The event, sponsored in part by University of Iowa Ventures and the UI Tippie College of Business's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, connects entrepreneurs, creatives, financial resources, and business leaders in Iowa to help grow more new business, create jobs, and stay vibrant and globally competitive.

The event is a coordination of three statewide events designed to enable more fruitful connections between resources and entrepreneurs, culminating in an Entrepreneur Showcase for celebrating our area’s entrepreneurial companies and individuals.

Schedule:

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) “InnovateHER”

Five area entrepreneurs will present to a panel of business experts and compete for a nomination to the next round of the InnovateHER Challenge, a national prize competition aimed at unearthing products and services that impact and empower the lives of women and families.

8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Technology Association of Iowa’s (TAI) “Pitch and Grow”

Sixteen entrepreneurs at virtually any stage of the business lifecycle will practice their pitches before a supportive "think tank" of industry experts and business savvy people and receive constructive feedback.

1 to 4:30 p.m. Iowa Venture Capital Association’s “Seed and Venture Forum”

Entrepreneurs will pitch their more-developed business ideas to a panel of seed and venture-stage company experts from across the state and country.

4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The EDC’s “Entrepreneur Showcase”

UI Ventures and JPEC will be featured in the Entrepreneur Showcase from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Entrepreneur Showcase will feature over 100 entrepreneurs and inventors showcasing their Iowa business in a convention-like setting.

To register or for more information, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovation-expo-2015-tickets-15442118793.