YPO Iowa Launches $20,000 Startup Pitch Competition for 2027
West Des Moines, Iowa – October 01, 2026 -- YPO Iowa will award $20,000 in prize funding through its inaugural Innovation Challenge, a statewide pitch competition set for January 27, 2027, at Holmes Murphy's headquarters in West Des Moines.
Eight finalists will compete across two tracks for cash prizes
The one-day event, running from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 7000 Vista Drive, will select eight finalists split between Collegiate Entrepreneurs and Iowa Startup Founders tracks. In the Startup Founders track, first place receives $9,000 and second place $4,000. In the Collegiate Entrepreneurs track, first place receives $5,000 and second place $2,000.