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Iowa City, Coralville startups land $650,000 in state loans for AI safety, stroke rehab, ag tech

Three Corridor companies secured Iowa Economic Development Authority funding announced Sept. 19, with the largest award going to an AI system built for manufacturing floors.

By Devin MarshPublished Jul 27, 2026, 12:27 AM CT1 min read
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Three startups based in Iowa City and Coralville received a combined $650,000 in state loans through the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the Corridor Business Journal reported Sept. 23, citing an agency announcement dated Sept. 19.

The largest award, a $500,000 Innovation Acceleration Propel Fund loan, went to Inseer Inc. of Iowa City. The company is building an artificial-intelligence computer-vision system that analyzes worker movement data to improve safety, ergonomics and productivity in manufacturing settings. The loan, funded through Iowa's State Small Business Credit Initiative, is intended primarily to add personnel.

Harvest Increase Agriculture Inc., also based in Iowa City, received a $100,000 Demonstration Fund loan for SUPRGrow, a sulfide-based additive designed as a fertilizer or seed treatment to boost corn and soybean yields. The money is slated for proof-of-concept work, staffing and market-entry planning.

Coralville-based NeuroPred Inc. secured a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance loan for software that integrates with electronic health records to predict cognitive and behavioral outcomes from localized brain damage. The goal is to help clinicians build targeted rehabilitation plans for stroke patients. The award covers intellectual-property work, product refinement and market planning.

The University of Iowa Office of Innovation shared a summary of the announcement on Sept. 26.

Loan terms, repayment conditions and current disbursement status were not detailed in the public announcement. The companies' current employee counts, customer lists and product-validation data have not been independently confirmed.

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Sources

  1. 1.Iowa City, Coralville startups secure state funding for medical device, agriculture innovation — Corridor Business Journal
  2. 2.Iowa City, Coralville startups secure state funding for medical device, agriculture innovation — University of Iowa Office of Innovation

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