Business & Tech
Technology Association of Iowa Hosts First TechBrew Ames
TechBrew is an informal networking event that allows entrepreneurs, technologists, funders and students to connect and share ideas.
The Technology Association of Iowa hosted TechBrew in Ames for the first time Thursday night at . The Iowa State University Research Park sponsored the inaugural TechBrew Ames.
Each attendee who was 21 or older received a ticket for one free beer, but people really came to build connections.
Leann Jacobson, president of the technology association, said TechBrew Ames is an informal networking event that's designed to connect people and help the Ames tech scene grow.
"With TechBrew we give all those technologists, entrepreneurs, funders and students a regular, laid back chance to network and share their ideas," Jacobson said. "Ames is great because of Iowa State University and all of the innovative people and companies in and around it. We’re really excited to see a lot of students and instructors from the university interested in technology come out and network with the tech companies from the area."
Robert Hidajat of Ames is a marketing manager at Siemens PLM Software. He is also the founder of three startup companies: bHeroic, Flarecaster and Cavia Labs. He's gone to various networking events in Des Moines and said he was glad that the Ames startup community now has a monthly casual networking event as well.
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"I come to meet people in the area who are much smarter than me and find out about all the cool stuff they are working on," Hidajat said. "I came about an hour late but it was definitely much better than I expected. Great place, very good turnout and a very diverse crowd."
Chris Limburg lives in Ames and works at Wells Fargo in Des Moines. Limburg attended TechBrew Ames because he's interested in learning how to increase innovation in the workplace and improve the customer experience.
"I like sharing ideas," he said. "The free beer's a bonus."
Jacobson said TAI plans to host TechBrew in Ames on the fourth Thursday of every month except November. TechBrew events are also held regularly in Cedar Falls, Des Moines and Iowa City/Coralville. The next TechBrew Ames will be at 5 p.m. on Sept. 22 at .
Check the Technology Association's website for more information about TechBrew and other local events.