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YPO Iowa Launches Inaugural Innovation Challenge to Showcase Iowa’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

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Statewide pitch competition will award $20,000 in prize funding and connect emerging founders with Iowa business leaders

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Iowa chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) announced the inaugural YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge, a statewide entrepreneurship competition designed to accelerate innovation, elevate emerging founders, and strengthen Iowa’s startup ecosystem. The event will take place Wednesday, January 27, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Holmes Murphy, located at 7000 Vista Drive in West Des Moines.

The one-day challenge will bring together promising collegiate entrepreneurs and Iowa startup founders for a live pitch competition, providing participants with access to business leaders, investors, mentors, and growth opportunities. Eight finalists will be selected to compete across two tracks: Collegiate Entrepreneurs and Iowa Startup Founders.

“Iowa has no shortage of bold ideas or talented entrepreneurs. The YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge is designed to connect those founders with experienced leaders, practical insight, and resources that can help turn promising ideas into thriving Iowa businesses,” said Dan Keough, YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge Day Co- Chair, Holmes Murphy Chairman & CEO, and Co-CEO for BrokerTech Ventures. “When we invest in innovators here at home, we strengthen communities and help build the future of our state.”

Applications will open October 1, 2026. Eligible applicants include current undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at any Iowa college or university, as well as early-stage companies and founders headquartered and operating in Iowa.

Participants will compete for $20,000 in total prize funding. In the Iowa Startup Founders track, first place will receive $9,000 and second place will receive $4,000. In the Collegiate Entrepreneurs track, first place will receive $5,000 and second place will receive $2,000.

Finalists will present their ventures directly to YPO Iowa members and gain exposure across Iowa’s business and innovation communities. The YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge is seeking applicants in fintech, insurtech, manufacturing technology, agtech, and general technology.

Featured speakers include Dan Houston, retired Chairman, President and CEO of Principal Financial Group; Sean McMurray, Startup Founder and Entrepreneur; Jon Shanahan, Founder, President and CEO of Businessolver; and Kyle McMahon, Founder and CEO of Tractor Zoom. The event is chaired by Dan Keough and Brent Cobb, CEO of World Class Industries.

The YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge is supported by Holmes Murphy, World Class Industries, Grace Technologies, Kendall Hunt, and Shift Interactive.

About YPO Iowa

YPO Iowa is the Iowa chapter of YPO, a global leadership community of chief executives. Through peer learning, leadership development, and shared experiences, YPO Iowa connects business leaders committed to growing as leaders and creating positive impact in their companies and communities.

Learn More

Applications open October 1, 2026. Visit YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge for eligibility, application, and event information.

Media Contact

Susan Hatten
Chief Marketing Officer, Holmes Murphy
Chief Operating Officer, BrokerTech Ventures
SHatten@holmesmurphy.com
515-441-2318

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ypo-iowa-launches-inaugural-innovation-challenge-to-showcase-iowas-next-generation-of-entrepreneurs-302896348.html

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LoanBud Launches LoanBud Acquire™ to Expand Financing for Main Street Business Acquisitions

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New non-SBA program offers $100,000 to $350,000 in financing for qualified buyers acquiring established small businesses.

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LoanBud today announced the launch of LoanBud Acquire™, a new non-SBA business acquisition financing program offering $100,000 to $350,000 in financing for qualified buyers acquiring established, cash-flowing small businesses.

LoanBud created the program around a problem it sees in the market every day: smaller business acquisitions can be disproportionately difficult to finance. Many lenders prioritize larger credits, while smaller transactions may not fit every SBA or conventional lending program. That can leave qualified buyers and viable businesses with fewer financing paths, even when the underlying transaction makes sense.

“A $250,000 acquisition matters just as much to the buyer, the seller and the employees as a multimillion-dollar transaction,” said Burke Purcell, Founder and CEO of LoanBud. “But smaller acquisitions can be harder to finance because many lenders tend to prioritize larger transactions. LoanBud Acquire™ gives qualified buyers another path to ownership and helps more good Main Street businesses continue under a new owner.”

LoanBud Acquire™ complements LoanBud’s existing SBA business acquisition financing capabilities. By adding a non-SBA option, LoanBud can evaluate an acquisition across multiple potential financing paths rather than trying to fit every transaction into a single program.

That flexibility can be especially important in a business sale, where financing uncertainty creates friction for the buyer, seller and broker. Earlier clarity on whether a transaction has a viable financing path can help all parties move forward with greater confidence.

LoanBud Acquire™ program highlights include:

$100,000 to $350,000 in financingMinimum 15% buyer equity contributionDesigned for acquisitions of established, cash-flowing businessesNo real estate collateral requirementFinancing available for eligible business purchase costs and approved transaction expensesTargeted closing timeline of less than 30 days for qualified transactions

“We do not believe every acquisition should be forced into one financing box,” Purcell said. “Our job is to look at the transaction, identify the most realistic financing path and help the buyer, seller and broker get to a clear answer faster. LoanBud Acquire™ gives us another way to do that for smaller Main Street transactions.”

LoanBud Acquire™ is available now. Qualified buyers and business brokers can learn more at LoanBud.com or apply at apply.loanbud.com.

About LoanBud

LoanBud helps existing business owners access growth capital and helps entrepreneurs finance business acquisitions. By combining technology, experienced lending professionals and a nationwide network of lending partners, LoanBud provides access to SBA and conventional financing for acquisitions, growth, real estate, debt refinancing and working capital. LoanBud is focused on making small business financing faster, clearer and easier to navigate.

For more information, visit LoanBud.com.

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McKool Smith Named 2026 IP “Litigation Department of the Year” by Texas Lawyer

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DALLAS, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — McKool Smith has been named Intellectual Property “Litigation Department of the Year” at the 2026 Texas Legal Awards, presented by Texas Lawyer. The Texas Legal Awards honor the attorneys and law firms making a lasting impact on the Texas legal landscape, from groundbreaking case wins to innovative legal strategies. Winners were celebrated at the awards ceremony on September 30 in Dallas.

The firm recognition reflects a track record of success in high-stakes IP disputes. In the Eastern District of Texas, Austin Principal Steve Pollinger, as lead counsel, along with Marshall Principal Jennifer Truelove, won a $192 million verdict for Mojo Mobility against Samsung on wireless charging patents that was held in full at final judgment. Jennifer also served as co-lead trial counsel on a willful infringement verdict for Pictiva Displays against Samsung on OLED display patents. At the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the firm’s campaign for Nokia against Hisense ended in a global license resolving the dispute in every jurisdiction.

The department’s recent results also include a stretch of significant trial wins for Dallas Principal Warren Lipschitz, a finalist for Intellectual Property Attorney of the Year. In August 2026, he co-led a team in securing a complete defense verdict for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Ericsson and Nokia in a consolidated 5G patent trial in the Eastern District of Texas, defeating $436 million in claimed damages. The jury found no infringement, invalidated all nine asserted claims, and held that the plaintiffs had breached their own FRAND obligations. That verdict followed back-to-back 2025 defense wins Warren co-led against Daingean Technologies, also in the Eastern District, cutting a $245 million demand against T-Mobile to $2 million and then winning a verdict of no infringement for AT&T. On the plaintiff side, Warren secured an ITC Initial Determination for Nokia that Amazon infringed five of seven asserted patents, and Nokia reached a settlement with Amazon shortly thereafter.

With more than 130 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America’s leading trial firms. The firm has secured 18 nine-figure jury verdicts and 16 eight-figure jury verdicts, obtaining more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal “Top 100 Verdicts” than any other law firm. McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and white-collar defense matters.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mckool-smith-named-2026-ip-litigation-department-of-the-year-by-texas-lawyer-302896389.html

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Custom Home Builder Selection in Lexington SC Guidance Outlined in HelloNation Featuring Home Building Expert Jennifer L. Gerben Nettles

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The article explains how early consultation with a builder can help evaluate land suitability, site conditions, and construction costs before purchasing property.

LEXINGTON, S.C., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Do prospective homeowners need to own land before hiring a custom home builder in Lexington, South Carolina? HelloNation addresses that question in a HelloNation article that explores how early collaboration with a builder can help guide land selection and project planning.

The HelloNation article explains that many buyers assume they must purchase land before contacting a custom home builder Lexington SC professional. In practice, involving a builder earlier in the process can offer important advantages. Builders can help assess potential properties and identify factors that may influence construction feasibility, costs, and design options before a purchase is finalized.

One of the first considerations discussed in the article is the building potential of the land itself. Not all lots offer the same conditions for residential construction. Soil composition, grading, and topography can significantly affect how easily a home can be built. The article notes that a lot that appears ideal at first glance may require extensive excavation, retaining walls, or drainage work, all of which can increase project costs.

Evaluating site conditions before purchasing land can help homeowners avoid unexpected challenges later in the building process. According to the article, builders can conduct early assessments to determine whether the lot can accommodate the desired home design. Home Building Experts explain that this evaluation helps identify potential construction limitations and provides a clearer picture of the work required to prepare the site.

Utility access is another major factor that may influence whether a lot is suitable for a custom home Lexington SC project. The article describes how water, sewer, electricity, and internet service are not always readily available on undeveloped parcels of land. Connecting a property to these utilities may involve additional infrastructure work, which can increase both cost and project timelines. Builders who understand local infrastructure can help estimate the feasibility and expense of utility installation before a buyer commits to purchasing a property.

Lot shape and size can also affect design possibilities and construction costs. The HelloNation article explains that narrow or irregularly shaped parcels may limit the placement and layout of a home. Builders can provide guidance on how to adapt architectural plans to fit the property while still meeting the homeowner’s functional and aesthetic goals. This type of planning ensures that the home design works within the constraints of the lot.

Budget planning is another reason the article recommends early consultation with a custom home builder Lexington SC professional. Builders can provide preliminary construction estimates that account for site preparation, grading, permits, and other development requirements tied to a specific lot. This information helps prospective homeowners determine whether a property aligns with their financial plans before making a purchase.

The article also discusses how early collaboration can streamline the permitting and planning process. Builders with experience in Lexington understand local zoning regulations, setback requirements, and building codes that influence how a home can be placed on a lot. Home Building Experts explain that reviewing these regulations early can prevent costly redesigns or delays later in the project.

Working with a builder during the land selection stage also allows homeowners to compare multiple properties more effectively. By reviewing site conditions, infrastructure access, and potential construction challenges, buyers can make more informed decisions about which lot best supports their vision for a custom home.

The HelloNation article emphasizes that purchasing land first is not always required when planning a custom build. Instead, involving a builder early in the process can create a smoother path from property selection to construction. Evaluating grading requirements, infrastructure availability, and lot suitability ahead of time helps homeowners avoid surprises and better align their plans with realistic construction expectations.

Do You Need Land Before Hiring a Custom Home Builder? features insights from Jennifer L. Gerben Nettles, Home Building Expert of Lexington, South Carolina, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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