The  US Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium promotes an integrated approach to better understanding entrepreneurship in rural areas and small towns. The symposium brings together researchers, educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and supporters of rural entrepreneurship to generate more data-driven research, education, policy, and action for the 61% of the U.S. who live in small towns and rural spaces.

After a successful first symposium in 2024 at the University of Vermont, Iowa State University is excited to host the second annual symposium in July 2025! Seen as the signature event for USASBE’s Rural Entrepreneurship Special Interest Group, but open to all who are interested in entrepreneurship and innovation in rural areas, the symposium will run July 8 – 11 (Tuesday through Friday) in and around Ames, Iowa.

Register Here

REGISTRATION FEE

Early Bird Registration is $595 until May 1, 2025. May 2 through June 3 the registration fee is $795.

Registration includes the entire symposium and is the same price for all registrants. There are no 1, 2, part-day, or virtual registration options, or reduced rates for students. Attendance at the symposium is in-person.

Important Dates

Invited Tracks
Research in Rural Entrepreneurship
Teaching Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas
Innovative Programming in Rural Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship in Rural Industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Technology

Call for Abstract Submission

The 2025 USASBE Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium will include 3 days of presentations in the mornings and early afternoons followed by unique rural tourism site visits. Please check out the symposium’s Daily Schedule for an overview.

Join us the evening of July 8^th to kick things off with tours of Iowa State University’s innovative entrepreneurship education opportunities and an Alumni Entrepreneur Showcase.

Find more details about our Keynote Speaker, Rural Entrepreneurship Panels, and Track Sessions, as well as the digital program of accepted papers and posters here: Speakers / Panels / Presentations

Learn about the Rural Tourism Site Visits included with your registration to the symposium.

For important information on the symposium’s location, lodging options, and transportation specifics, please reference: Travel Logistics: Location / Lodging / Transportation

When you’re ready to register for Transforming the Heartland: Rural Retail, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Technology in the Midwest, visit Registration Info to locate the online registration form.

Lastly, please see below for links to our sponsors. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please find information on our Sponsorship Packages here: Sponsorship Packages

We Thank Our Sponsors

Cardinal Level Sponsor – Ivy College of Business