In the latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, hosted by Micah Walker, listeners are introduced to Joe Sweeney, a fractional leader from Jennings Kallen Advisory, currently associated with BioAxis. Sweeney, who grew up on a family farm in North Central Iowa and attended Iowa State for ag business, shares his journey into fractional leadership, highlighting the influence of his entrepreneurial parents. His career trajectory included starting companies in the aquaculture space, with varying degrees of success, which eventually led him to help friends with their businesses. This snowballed into a career as a consultant and fractional CFO, where he now supports multiple startups, particularly in the Midwest, by providing financial guidance and helping them scale operations. Jennings Kallen Advisors, where Sweeney is a venture strategic advisor, plays a crucial role in helping innovative companies find resources, manage growth, and develop market strategies.
Sweeney's expertise and passion for entrepreneurship shine through as he discusses his work with various startups, including BioAxis, a company addressing biosecurity challenges in the protein industry. He emphasizes the advantages Iowa offers in scaling ag bio companies, highlighting the region's productive land and efficient operators. The discussion also touches on the fundraising landscape in Iowa, with Sweeney providing insights into the challenges and opportunities within the venture capital ecosystem. He underscores the importance of building relationships and fostering creativity while maintaining focus. The episode concludes with resources and shoutouts to various organizations supporting Iowa's entrepreneurial ecosystem, encouraging founders and stakeholders to engage and connect for growth and innovation.
Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/joe-sweeney
