A regional angel capital funding event held in Des Moines this fall generated $470,000 in investments for nine Midwest-based early-stage companies, including two Des Moines-based companies. The Angel Capital Association’s 2018 Best of the Midwest meeting, held in September, was hosted by Plains Angels — an initiative of the Greater Des Moines Partnership — and the BrownWinick Law Firm. Each of the nine startups received an investment of more than $50,000 through the Best of the Midwest DSM LLC, a special purpose entity formed by BrownWinick on a pro bono basis. More than 70 percent of the $470,000 invested came from Iowa investors. The third annual event attracted 140 attendees that included more than 90 accredited investors. The event’s success “perfectly illustrates the strength of our region’s startup ecosystem,” said Mike Colwell, executive director of entrepreneurial initiatives at the Partnership. “Iowa investors stepped up and made a statement that promising startups can obtain funding here.” Next year’s Best of the Midwest regional event will be held in October in Cincinnati.