15E.61  Findings — purpose.
  1.  The general assembly finds the following:  Fundamental changes have occurred in national and international financial markets and in the financial markets of this state. A critical shortage of seed and venture capital resources exists in the state, and such shortage is impairing the growth of commerce in the state. A need exists to increase the availability of venture equity capital for emerging, expanding, and restructuring enterprises in Iowa, including, without limitation, enterprises in the life sciences, advanced manufacturing, information technology, alternative and renewable energy including the alternative and renewable energy sectors listed in section 476.42, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (1), and value-added agriculture areas. Such investments will create jobs for Iowans and will help to diversify the state’s economic base.
  2.  This division is enacted to fulfill the following purposes:
  a.  To mobilize private investment in a broad variety of venture capital partnerships in diversified industries and locales.
  b.  To retain the private-sector culture of focusing on rate of return in the investing process.
  c.  To secure the services of the best managers in the venture capital industry, regardless of location.
  d.  To facilitate the organization of the Iowa fund of funds in which to seek such private investment and to create interest in such investments by offering state incentives for private persons to make investments in the Iowa fund of funds.
  e.  To enhance the venture capital culture and infrastructure in the state of Iowa so as to increase venture capital investment within the state and to promote venture capital investing within Iowa.
  f.  To accomplish these purposes in such a manner as to minimize any appropriations by the state of Iowa.
  g.  To effectuate specific, measurable results, including all of the following:
  (1)  The creation of three new venture capital fund offices in Iowa within three years of February 28, 2002.
  (2)  The investment of resources from the Iowa fund of funds in Iowa businesses within three years of February 28, 2002.
  (3)  A cumulative rate of return on venture investments of the Iowa fund of funds equal to a minimum of one and one-half percentage points above the ten-year treasury bill rate in effect at the end of five years following February 28, 2002.
2002 Acts, ch 1005, §1; 2002 Acts, ch 1006, §13, 14; 2006 Acts, ch 1142, §16; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §201; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §127
Subsection 1 amended