What & Who
An onsite startup event where high school students across Iowa team up to build a business in a day, with mentorship from community partners and their Iowa educators.
Target audiences: entrepreneurial-minded, startup and innovation, engineering, invention, design, hackers, tech gurus, problem finders and solvers, creatives, gamers, and artists
How
- Educators select a DesignDash event date/location.
- Use the educators register button to register yourself. Because you’re actively engaged during the event, you qualify to opt in for graduate credit during signup.
- Select up to 10 students you’ll bring to the event.
- Compile full name, t-shirt size, and media release permissions (check with your school) for each student.
- Return to the DesignDash webpage and use the educators: add students button to complete your registration. This step must be done four weeks before the event date.
- Line up a substitute teacher and transportation as applicable for you and your students.
Thanks to sponsors, DesignDash is provided to Iowa students, educators, and community partners at no cost.
Fall 2026 registration!
Des Moines - Oct 16 (Specialty STEM-focused program with Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center)
Specialty program with Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center! Available to STEM educators and mentors.
Des Moines, IA | Oct 16, 2026
9:00AM - 3:00PM
Location: DMACC
Registration now open! Deadline to register is Sept. 18!
Cedar Falls - Nov 11
Cedar Falls, IA | Nov 11, 2026
9:00AM - 3:00PM
Location: Central Rivers AEA
Registration now open! Deadline to register is Oct. 14!
Iowa City - Nov 20
Iowa City, IA | Nov 20, 2026
9:00AM - 3:00PM
Location: Tippie College of Business
Registration now open! Deadline to register is Oct. 23!
DesignDash Sponsors
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"Design Dash is an excellent opportunity for students to collaboratively 'test-drive' entrepreneurship by solving problems that occur daily."
Read more
Read about the DesignDash Fall 2024 Event
Read about the DesignDash Spring 2023 Event
Read about the DesignDash Spring 2022 Event
Innovation programs for students and educators
Iowa Invention Convention
Students - Did you come up with a novel product? Ask an educator to sponsor you for the Iowa Invention Convention. Your educator would fill out the Intent to Invent form.
Teachers - Are there students in your classrooms with invention start-ups? Fill out the Intent to Invent form to learn more about incorporating invention education in the classroom, and to give your students the chance to share their ideas at the Iowa Invention Convention.
Business Horizons
Students - Business Horizons is a five-day innovation simulation bringing students (grades 9-12) of all experience levels from across the state of Iowa together to gain a better sense of how their skills connect to the business world and the real world. Students have the opportunity to receive three college credits. Held annually in the summer.
Teachers - 2 day, onsite, professional development offered by BizInnovator Startup. Held annually in conjunction with Business Horizons.
Tippie Gateway Summer Program
Students - Tippie Gateway is your opportunity to experience life on campus at the University of Iowa. Free, weeklong program for high school students. Participants receive three college credits. Held annually in the summer.
"As a mentor, I was inspired and energized by the commitment and creativity of student groups... all in a day's work. If they can do it, so can I."
Educator opportunities
Professional development and opportunity for high schoolers to earn college credit
- BizInnovator Startup Deep Dive into Entrepreneurship Education for High School educators
Curriculum toolkits
- BizInnovator Startup for high school entrepreneurship education
- KidInnovator for upper elementary and middle school