Tech Talk: GIA plans 'Startup Import Welcome' party - DesMoinesRegister.com

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The Global Insurance Accelerator plans to host a set of insurance startups from outside of Iowa for a few weeks this month.

The accelerator will welcome the companies with a "Startup Import Welcome Party" this week, opening its doors for members of Iowa's startup and financial community to come by and introduce them to the city.

Startups coming by the accelerator include San Francisco-based Parachute, Philadelphia's Livegenic and London-based Tractable, among others.

The party is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the accelerator, 321 E. Walnut St., Suite 130, Des Moines. Attendees can RSVP via https://tikly.co/events/930.

It will have some dashes of classic Des Moines fare, including beer from Confluence Brewing Co. and food from Tacopocalypse and Fong's Pizza.

Marlowe buys back his company

Iowa City-based investor and entrepreneur Anthony Marlowe recently bought back his company TMone, renaming it Mass Markets.

During an interview, Marlowe said he has big plans for the company, including quickly hiring another 100 people Iowa City and Spearfish, S.D.

While he focuses on the company, Marlowe said he may slow down on investments he makes through Iowa City Capital Partners, the investment company he runs by himself.

"I think I'm going to put a slow down on the Iowa City Capital Partners thing," Marlowe said. "I'm all in and 120 percent focused on Mass Markets."

Iowa City Capital Partners took part in Clusterflunk's seed round and provided convertible debt to Pear Deck, among other investments listed on its website.

Marlowe also said he won't exit Mass Markets until it can go public or he can sell it for nine figures.

For more on Marlowe's reacquiring the company, check out this Iowa City Press-Citizen story: http://icp-c.com/1jez9yz.

Matthew Patane covers technology, innovation and startups for The Des Moines Register. Contact him at 515-284-8211 or mpatane@dmreg.com. Follow him on Twitter via @mattpatane.

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