ADVANCE IOWA
Empowering Iowa Businesses: Pathways to Progress
ADVANCE IOWA provides strategic guidance, education, and transition support to help business owners, teams, and communities grow, adapt, and lead with confidence. Over the past decade, we’ve supported hundreds of businesses in unlocking long-term value and navigating change with confidence—partnering with organizations locally and nationally through the University of Northern Iowa’s Business and Community Services (BCS).
We believe that shared insight, clear direction, and the right tools empower impactful decision-making. Whether planning for tomorrow or acting today, our team delivers customized solutions that build momentum, strengthen resilience, and drive inclusive economic growth across Iowa’s communities.
WHO WE ARE
ADVANCE IOWA is a strategic ally for Iowa businesses navigating change—from ownership transitions to market growth. Backed by UNI’s Business & Community Services, we blend data, hands-on guidance, peer learning, and strategic planning to deliver lasting impact in both group and individual settings.
- A collaborative, values-driven team supporting Iowa’s businesses at every stage
- Experienced guides in strategy, education, and transition planning
- Committed to empowering business owners, teams, and communities
- Embedded in Iowa’s economic development landscape through UNI’s BCS network
WHAT WE DO
ADVANCE IOWA delivers tailored solutions—many at no cost—that meet businesses where they are, helping leaders take the next right step. Our approach integrates educational programs, strategic consultation, and real-world tools that drive clarity, readiness, and long-term success. We:
- Offer tailored solutions—many free of charge—to meet businesses where they are
-Deliver education, assessments, and strategic consultations
-Help organizations plan for growth, navigate transitions, and unlock long-term value
-Facilitate connections, learning networks, and access to practical tools
WHY IT MATTERS
ADVANCE IOWA strengthens Iowa’s business ecosystem—one plan, transition, and partnership at a time. We help leaders not just respond to change but shape it.
- Build clarity and confidence for business leaders making critical decisions
- Support resilient growth, succession readiness, and strategic reinvention
- Strengthen local economies and workforce stability across Iowa
- Position businesses to proactively lead change—not just respond to it
ADVANCE IOWA equips business leaders with strategy, education, and transition support to grow, adapt, and lead confidently. With over a decade of impact across Iowa and beyond, we build tailored solutions that unlock long-term value and strengthen community resilience. Check out the numbers and how we create change...
HOW WE ENGAGE
We prioritize trust, transparency, and collaboration—laying the foundation for long-term relationships built on shared success.
SOLUTIONS that scale
Business GROWTH
In collaboration with the UNI Center for Business Growth & Innovation, we assist businesses in identifying challenges and utilize strategic opportunities for technology integration, diversification, and sustainable practices that drive long-term business value.
Business TRANSITION
To navigate transitional challenges that businesses often face, ADVANCE IOWA, together with the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership, provides the support, resources, and assistance necessary to safeguard the continuation of a business.
Building TOGETHER!
Discover how ADVANCE IOWA, as one of the 12 unique outreach programs under the Business and Community Services (BCS) umbrella, is and has been #Building a Better IOWA.
A great way to hear about the impacts we make for businesses, local economies and the people across the state, is to listen to the various Building a Better Iowa Podcasts.
The podcasts illuminate importance of our entire network and outreach partners, in addition to our solutions and programs.
LTM | Impact 2.0
Raising the bar on high-impact education and networking for foundries and their supply chain
October 16, 2025, An all-day seminar at no charge.
Ohio Chamber of Commerce | Columbus, OH 43215
Five Big Ideas for Employee Ownership
“Universities have the unique ability to influence the advancement of employee ownership through research, outreach and CURRICULUM.” stated Dr. Leslie K. Wilson, Dean of the Wilson College of Business at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). She was the last leader of five to present "Five Big Ideas for Employee Ownership" at the 2025 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum in April.
Our team is proud to see Iowa leadership shaping the future of business education and employee ownership on a national stage!
Advisors’ Edge Seminars
Discover the free Advisors’ Edge training program for CPAs, financial planners, and attorneys, created in collaboration with Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX) and Project Equity. Gain the tools and insights to guide clients through the transition to employee ownership.
Save the Date!
Thursday, Oct 23, 2025
8:00am — 4:30pm
FFA Enrichment Center
DMACC Campus
1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy
Ankeny, IA 50023
Let's talk.
8120 Jennings Drive | Cedar Falls, IA 50614
319-273-4692 | info@advanceiowa.com
Todd.Hutcheson@uni.edu
Janell.Crow@uni.edu