Small Business and Startup Resources

The Greater Des Moines Partnership offers the tools you need to help grow your small business or startup. From online resources on topics like how to start a business, finance, banking and capital, marketing, hiring and events for small business, The Partnership is here to help.

For more information, contact The Partnership's small business and startup experts.

Connect with Resource Partners

The DSM community has a wide range of organizations that can serve as resource partners for small businesses and startup companies to grow their business. See this Resource Compass in the DSM Small Business Hub to find information on potential resources across the region.

Connect with Resources

Get Business Counseling

Is your small business looking for advice on how to get to the next level? Fill out this form on the DSM Small Business Hub to request assistance through The Partnership’s network.

Get Business Counseling

Programs and Events

The Partnership presents several programs and events throughout the year focused on small businesses:

Find other small business and entrepreneurship events on The Partnership Events calendar.

Small Business Resources Newsletter

Learn more about small business and startup resources available through The Partnership, as well as events and news to help grow your business. Sign up for the Small Business Resources Newsletter.

Startup Stories DSM Podcast

Get inspired by listening to success stories from local small businesses and startups on the Startup Stories DSM podcast series.

Community Resources

Small business owners in DSM can access numerous resources from community partners, including:

Small Business Resources by Topic

2024 Scale DSM Business Accelerator in Greater Des Moines (DSM) Accounting & Taxes, Events & Networking, Finance, Banking & Capital, Marketing & Sales, Staffing & Hiring

In 2024, Scale DSM participants attended five modules and presented growth plans for their business.

Business Management Consulting in Greater Des Moines Accounting & Taxes, Staffing & Hiring

Consultants help small businesses thrive by reducing admin work, improving time management and hiring personnel.

Register Now for the 2024 Small Business Success Summit Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Events & Networking, Finance, Banking & Capital, How to Start a Business, IT & Data, Legal, Marketing & Sales, Staffing & Hiring, Success Stories, Succession Planning

Learn how to launch or grow your business at the Small Business Success Summit on Monday, June 10, 2024.

Corporate Transparency Act and Small Businesses Accounting & Taxes

Small Businesses in Greater Des Moines (DSM) will need to follow new reporting obligations in 2024.

2023 Scale DSM Participants Q+A Accounting & Taxes, Events & Networking, Finance, Banking & Capital, Marketing & Sales, Staffing & Hiring

Perlla Deluca and Nizigiyimana Danifodi are participating in the Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator.

Small Business Hub — Resource Compass and Business Counseling Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Events & Networking, Finance, Banking & Capital, How to Start a Business, IT & Data, Legal, Marketing & Sales, Staffing & Hiring, Success Stories, Succession Planning

Additions to the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Small Business Hub will further help support local entrepreneurs.

Section 1202: One of the Most Valuable Tax Provisions for Startup Investors and Founders Accounting & Taxes

Here’s what the startup community should know about Section 1202.

Master Your Tax Strategy – February 2023 Top Five Accounting & Taxes, Events & Networking

Understanding individual and business tax items will help you make the right long-term business decisions.

Scale DSM Q+A with Minority Small Business Owners Accounting & Taxes, Events & Networking, Finance, Banking & Capital, Marketing & Sales, Staffing & Hiring

Lilly Okech, Isabel Contreras and Monica Reyes are participating in the Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator.

2022 Scale DSM Participants Q+A Accounting & Taxes, Events & Networking, Finance, Banking & Capital, Marketing & Sales, Staffing & Hiring

Latha Kumar, Shelana Laing and Andres Rodriguez are participating in the Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator.

Employee Retention Credit for Small Businesses Accounting & Taxes, Staffing & Hiring

Businesses that kept employees on the pay roll during the pandemic qualify for the Employee Retention Credit.

DSM USA Policy Headquarters May 2022 Podcast Accounting & Taxes

The DSM USA Policy Headquarters podcast guests discuss pro-growth tax policy.

2022 Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator Applications Open Accounting & Taxes, Events & Networking, Finance, Banking & Capital, Marketing & Sales

Apply now for the inaugural cohort of the Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator.

2022 Small Business Success Summit Keynote Takeaways Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Events & Networking, Finance, Banking & Capital, How to Start a Business, IT & Data, Legal, Marketing & Sales, Staffing & Hiring, Success Stories, Succession Planning

Nick Sarillo and Dima Ghawi offered advice to small business owners during the 2022 Small Business Success Summit.

Top Five Ways to Achieve Personal and Business Financial Goals Accounting & Taxes, How to Start a Business, Staffing & Hiring, Succession Planning

The Entrepreneurial EquationT helps educate business owners on strategies for building and running a business.

Tax Credit Available to Greater Des Moines (DSM) Employers Accounting & Taxes

The employee retention credit is $7K quarterly wage subsidy per employee for 2021.

Small Business Employee Retention Credit Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Staffing & Hiring

The Employee Retention Credit is available for Greater Des Moines (DSM) small businesses in 2021.

Paid Sick Leave Changes Under the American Rescue Plan Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Legal

Learn about expanded paid sick leave and tax credit extensions through the American Rescue Plan of 2021.

Tax Considerations Related to COVID-19 Accounting & Taxes

Kyle Woiwood offers a list of considerations for businesses preparing for their 2020 taxes.

Tips for Small Businesses Struggling with the Effects of COVID-19 Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, IT & Data, Legal

Jeffrey Goetz gives tips to business owners recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tax Rules for Unemployment Claims Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources

Nate Beck offers planning tips when it comes to unemployment benefits and your annual tax bill.

Greater Des Moines (DSM) Businesses and Finding the Path Forward Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Finance, Banking & Capital, Legal

Industry leaders share insight into how businesses can move forward after the COVID-19 pandemic.

A New Iowa Law and PPP Loan Forgiveness Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Legal

Davis Brown Law Firm attorneys explain how a new Iowa law limits COVID-19 litigation and discuss a PPP update.

Finding the Path Forward for Your Business Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Finance, Banking & Capital, Legal

An accountant, banker and attorney share advice for businesses dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BKD COVID-19 6 Key Considerations Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Finance, Banking & Capital

BKD offers six key considerations for business leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PPP Experts Webinar for DSM Forward Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Finance, Banking & Capital

LWBJ's Dave Hove and Michael Trettin offer PPP information on guidance from the Small Business Association.

Tax Deferral Dates for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Accounting & Taxes

McGowen Hurst Clark Smith (MHCS) outlines tax deferral dates for individuals and businesses during the pandemic.

Key Provisions from the CARES Act Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Finance, Banking & Capital

Dave Hove gives insight into the CARES Act, a stimulus bill meant to provide relief for those impacted by COVID-19.

FFCRA and CARES Act Assist Struggling DSM Businesses Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Finance, Banking & Capital

Davis Brown Law Firm lays out how the FFCRA and CARES Act offer Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses assistance.

Iowa Economic Development Authority COVID-19 Response Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources, Finance, Banking & Capital, Legal

IEDA works with a number of other organizations on developing relief programs for small businesses.

COVID-19 Resources for DSM Businesses and Individuals Accounting & Taxes, Additional Resources

Beth Coonan and Amy Johnson share recent blogs offering insight related to COVID-19's impact on Greater Des Moines (DSM).

R&D Tax Credit Reduces Tax Liability for Iowa Startups Accounting & Taxes

Find out which activities meet the requirements for eligibility for the R&D tax credit.

Set the Foundation for Your Small Business Finances Accounting & Taxes, Finance, Banking & Capital

SCORE has compiled finance and accounting tips to help small business owners succeed.

Tax Breaks in Spending Bill Offer Iowa Businesses Opportunity Accounting & Taxes

Learn about opportunities to claim tax refunds on amended 2018 returns.

Financing Small Business Basics Accounting & Taxes

For both new and existing small business owners, financing is essential to later success.

Things to Know About QuickBooks for Small Businesses Accounting & Taxes

QuickBooks is the most widely used accounting software for small businesses owners.

IRS Feature: Easy Payment Options for Taxpayers Accounting & Taxes, Legal

Learn what options are available during tax season, even if you are unable to pay in full.

Top Five Ways Tax Reform Will Affect Small Businesses Accounting & Taxes

Rob Poterucha of McGowen, Hurst, Clark and Smith, P.C. explains the new tax bill.

Top Five Accounting and Tax Tips for Small Business Success Accounting & Taxes

Jonathan Porter explains his top accounting and taxation ideas for small businesses.