Where ideas grow
Founders Club is a program for students pursuing the creation of a startup while attending The University of Iowa. Open to all UI students, this business incubator connects you with the resources to launch your startup, and to grow it into a sustainable business. Welcoming both individual students and teams, the Founders Club is located in the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory (BELL), providing a physical home for student businesses on UI's campus. Participants will have access to a variety of resources including collaborative work space and equipment, workshops, trainings, networking, funding opportunities and one-on-one mentoring from experienced professionals.
Program Impact
Student businesses supported through Founders Club
at multiple national student business competitions
awarded to student businesses
Benefits
- Access to collaborative work space
- One-on-one mentoring and coaching
- Funding opportunities
- Workshops and training
- Networking and community exposure
- Marketing and technical support
Eligibility
Enrolled University of Iowa undergraduate, graduate and PhD students who are serious about starting and growing a business are eligible to apply for the Founders Club. Both individuals and teams are welcome. The student(s) must be the founder or co-founder of the company. Once admitted, individuals must demonstrate adequate progress each semester to remain in the program.
Explore our Student Businesses
Since its establishment in 2004, the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory has supported hundreds of student startups. Get to know some of the businesses that got their start right here in Iowa City, as a part of the Founders Club.
Meet the current student business that are active Founders Club startups.
Check out the alumni businesses who began their entrepreneurial journey right here in the Founders Club.
Resources for active Founders Club participants
Rules and Regulations
All students must complete and sign a copy of our rules and regulations to participate in the Founders Club and to have access to our facilities at the BELL. You should review and sign this form only after you have completed your application for the program.
Travel Requests
Iowa JPEC provides support to Founders Club students traveling to compete in competitions or attend innovative events and conferences. All students must complete the following form before we can consider providing traveling support.
SBDC Counseling
In addition to the resources provided by the Founders Club program, students may also request to receive additional consultation and guidance from our local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) director by signing up on the website linked below.
NEXT STEPS
Do you have what it takes to create a business? Fill out an application to join the Founders Club today.