Win Money for Your Business
During the year, JPEC and its partners offer several opportunities for students to raise money to start or grow their business while in college. Annually, JPEC awards more than $115,000 in cash prizes through its business plan and elevator pitch competitions. JPEC's goal is to help foster and grow the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders. Watch the JPEC homepage for dates and program details about these competitions.
Iowa Centers for Entreprise Elevator Pitch Competition (fall)
The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) and the University of Iowa Research Foundation (UIRF) sponsor the Elevator Pitch Competition for University of Iowa faculty, staff, graduate students, and startup companies with a principal address at the UI Research Park or at the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory. The competition allows for early-stage entrepreneurs to compete for start-up capital for their business idea. Participants will compete for $40,000 in total cash prizes. Congratulations to our Fall 2011 competition winners!
The Rose Francis Foundation Elevator Pitch Competition (fall)
Sponsored by David and Monica Nassif, the Rose Francis Foundation Elevator Pitch Competition gives any University of Iowa undergraduate student the opportunity to pitch his or her business idea to a panel of judges to win up to $2,500. Students present a two-minute pitch and have up to five minutes of Q&A. Congratulations to the Fall 2011 winners!
Keith Starman Entrepreneurial Startup Award (fall)
Sponsored by the Keith Starman Entrepreneurial Competition Fund, the Entrepreneurial Startup Award is a $500 prize given once a year to a University of Iowa undergraduate student that exhibits a strong entrepreneurial spirit and desire to pursue his or her own startup. This award is given as part of the Rose Francis Elevator Pitch Competition during the fall semester.
Iowa Centers for Enterprise New Venture Challenge (spring)
The purpose of the IOWA Centers for Enterprise Challenge is to encourage new, original ideas or start-up business opportunities. The contest permits University of Iowa faculty, staff, & graduate students, as well as start-up companies whose principal address is at the UI Research Park or at the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory to take their first steps toward turing an idea or opportunity into a viable business. Participants will compete for $56,000 in total cash prizes. The spirit of the contest is that it is both an educational experience and a potential launch pad for those who wish to start a business or are currently in the process of starting a business. Congratulations to our Spring 2012 winners!
Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition (spring)
In September 2000, John Pappajohn created a statewide business plan competition to encourage and help Iowa undergraduate and graduate students pursue their interests in starting their own companies. Regional competitions are held at each of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers in Iowa. Regional finalists present their plan to John Pappajohn and his staff at Equity Dynamics Inc. Three awards of $5,000 each are awarded to the top teams.
Congratulations to the University of Iowa finalists! IMIG Foley Catheter & Tutor Universe
Congratulations to the University of Iowa winner of the state competition! Mazira - $5,000
Merle Volding Business Plan Competition (spring)
The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) at The University of Iowa sponsors the Merle Volding Business Plan Competition for all undergraduate students at The University of Iowa.
The Volding competition allows aspiring student entrepreneurs to compete for seed money to assist them in starting their new companies. The awards are funded by Merle Volding, founder of BancTec, a worldwide provider of payment processing solutions located in Irving, Texas. Volding created an endowment for aspiring student entrepreneurs to compete for seed money to assist them in starting their new companies.
Student teams will compete for up to $22,000 in seed grant awards. In addition to the cash prize, teams will receive ongoing support from JPEC. A suggested business plan format can be found here.
Congratulations to our Spring 2012 Volding Business Plan Competition Winners!
National Business Plan Competitions (fall/spring/summer)
Throughout the year, JPEC nominates serveral startups to represent the University of Iowa by competing in national business plan competitions for a chance to win seed money for their new venture. Pontential prizes range from $1,000 to $1,300,000. For more information, contact iowajpec@uiowa.edu.
SolveIt Case Competitions (fall/spring)
Several times throughout the year, JPEC sponsors these competitions where teams of 4 members compete by addressing a business problem of a true start-up company. It is open to all UI students, faculty and staff. After 2 weeks the team submits a one page executive summary and YouTube video explaining how they will solve the problem.