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John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, The University of Iowa

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurship Center

Small Business Development Center

The UI Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been serving the Iowa counties of Cedar, Johnson, Iowa, Poweshiek, and Washington since 1981. We are one of 13 centers in the Iowa SBDC network. Our office is located at 2660 University Capitol Center, Suite 2673 in Iowa City. Our phone number is (319) 335-3742; or fax us at (319) 353-2445. For more information about our SBDC, please contact the director, Paul Heath.

Owning a small business calls for vision, determination and all the sound expertise you can find. Iowa Small Business Development Centers serve all 99 counties with the highest quality assistance for businesses with 500 or fewer employees. The SBDC can guide you down the road to success with:

Iowa's SBDCs are partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration via a contract with Iowa State University, Ames. The State Center is headquartered in ISU's new Gerdin Business Building.

Additional funding is provided by the State of Iowa. Support for regional centers is provided by SBDC host institutions and contributed funds. Hosts across the state include public and private universities, community colleges, and a chamber of commerce.

Recent Success Stories

30th Century 30th Century Bicycle: Cody Gieselman and Steve Goetzelman have been bicycle enthusiasts for more than a dozen years. Steve was an avid bike racer, and Cody's interest grew from her Americcorps VISTA volunteer work at the Iowa City Bike Library. Today they own and operate 30th Century Bicycle at 310 East Prentiss Street - about a block from downtown Iowa City. Click here to read more about Cody and Steve's story.

 

 

 

30th Century Baroncini Ristorante Italiano: Gianluca Baroncini graduated from the Italian National Culinary Institute in Verona, Italy, in 1991. His experience includes being the former Executive Chef of Terrazza Di Giulietta in Verona, Italy, and Assistant Chef at the Ristorante II Desco in Verona, Italy, which received a two star Michelin guide prestigious award. In the United States his experience includes the prestigious Gallieo, a fine dining Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C. Chef Baroncini's philosophy is to use fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients in his contemporary Italian cuisine. Click here to read more about Gianluca's story.

 

30th Century Larson Tool and Machine: Kyle got his start in the tool and die business through an apprenticeship with Mantz Automation in 1999. After the apprenticeship Kyle stayed with Mantz Automation, Inc.. In August of 2004, Mantz opened an additional plant in West Liberty, Iowa, which Kyle managed for five years. Then in 2009 Mantz Automation, Inc made the decision to consolidate their manufacturing and closed the West Liberty plant. Kyle was given the option to purchase the Iowa plant and did so. Click here to read more about Kyle's story.

 

30th Century Anytime Fitness: Anytime Fitness is a franchised club with over 2,000 locations internationally. They are never closed with their 24/7 gym membership. The North Liberty club has top of the line cardio equipment and strength equipment along with 24-hour access and security. The facility includes: convenient parking, tanning, personal training, private restrooms, nutrition consulting, hydro massage and supplements for sale. A membership in the North Liberty club entitles that member to use any of the Anytime Fitness network facilities. The network clubs are located throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, India, the United Kingdom and France. Click here to read more about Anthony's story.