The University of Iowa and UI Partners are sponsoring the Iowa Black Business Coalition’s Untraditional Startathon to benefit women- and minority-owned businesses. The event will be Nov. 21 at Grand View University in Des Moines.

Organizers said the event will focus on tools to help startups overcome barriers.

“Some of the major barriers to entrepreneurship are things like lack of affordable child care, and for the low-income or rural, transportation,” said Ini Augustine, president of the Iowa Black Business Coalition. “It made me wonder how much potential remained unused because of these barriers.”

Participants will have mentors who will help with business plans, social media marketing and other aspects of starting a business. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s InnovateHer Challenge, held as part of the event, will select a winner who will compete nationally for prizes. Read more