Featured News
$14,000 in prizes awarded to Hawkeye Startup Accelerator companies
15 student-run companies from the University of Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) Hawkeye Startup Accelerator program pitched their innovative business ideas Friday, July 31, marking the end to the first-ever virtual 2020 Hawkeye Startup Accelerator.
Recent News
Viewpoint Molecular Targeting sets sights on growth in 2021
Viewpoint Molecular Targeting, an Iowa JPEC Faculty Innovators alumnus, is starting 2021 with momentum. Over the last 6 months, the company accrued $18 million in funding, secured its own supply chain of radioisotopes, unveiled positive preclinical data; and secured its first investigational new drug application by the US FDA in the lead up to their first human trials at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Iowa.
Iowa Innovation Challenge Fall 2020 Elevator Pitch Competition Recap
On November 16-18, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) had the privilege of virtually hosting the first phase of the Iowa Innovation Challenge, the Elevator Pitch Competition. A total of 84 businesses pitched their ideas as a part of the first phase of the competition. $75,350 was awarded to the most innovative and entrepreneurial ideas across campus.
Fall 2020 IdeaStorm Recap
Congratulations to the winners of the Fall 2020 IdeaStorm Competition! This competition was recently hosted by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) and for the first time ever, was held in a virtual format with students submitting video pitches.
Iowa City Business Chosen For Statewide SBDC Award
America's SBDC Iowa (SBDC) is pleased to announce that College Raptor, of Iowa City, is the winner of the organization's statewide October Small Business of the Month Award.
University of Iowa, Iowa State University share $100,000 Kauffman Grant
The University of Iowa and Iowa State University will split a $100,000 grant awarded to their respective entrepreneurial centers by The Ewing Marion Foundation in an effort to bolster each school’s entrepreneurial training and outreach capabilities.
Fall 2020 Venture School Cohort Begins with New Partnerships
The University of Iowa’s Venture School, a premier statewide program for entrepreneurs developed by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC), is coming to Mason City, Cedar Falls, Iowa City and Des Moines October 2020. Established in 2013, this seven-week program is built from a streamlined curriculum developed by the National Science Foundation I-Corps at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. Iowa JPEC is excited to announce our statewide partners for the Fall 2020 cohort.
Venture School Launch Day 2020
Venture School Launch Day 2020 was held virtually in conjunction with EntreFEST. There were five businesses selected as finalists from the 2019/2020 cohorts to pitch at the event. A total of $31,000 was awarded.
Iowa Innovation Challenge Phase 2 Winners
On April 13 and 14 the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) held the second phase of the Iowa Innovation Challenge in partnership with the University of Iowa’s Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Iowa Research Foundation, and UI Ventures. The Iowa Innovation Challenge awarded $276,500 during the 2019-2020 academic year to support innovation across campus and is open to all University of Iowa faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, and incubator startups.
Resources available for small businesses during time of uncertainty
The Coronavirus pandemic is creating a tough time for nearly everyone in the US economy. David Hensley, the Executive Director at Iowa JPEC, gives advice for small businesses.
Navigating small business aid isn't easy amid coronavirus
The impacts on small businesses from the coronavirus shutdowns is already seen as owners wait for the long-term impact. David Hensley, Executive Director of Iowa JPEC, said small business owners can come to them for support and help during these tough times.
Spring 2020 Iowa Startup Games Recap
On the weekend of February 28-March 1, we had the honor of hosting the Spring 2020 Iowa Startup Games competition. This three-day event brings together students from all areas of study to pitch their ideas to have an impact.
Spring 2020 IdeaStorm Recap
The week of February 10-13, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) hosted four uniquely focused IdeaStorm competitions across the University of Iowa campus. The top ideas selected by judges were awarded cash prizes at each competition, as well as a People's Choice award that was selected by students who attended the event.
Hawkeyes work to help end "fish for sex" trade around Kenya lake
Two directors at the University of Iowa - Patrick Johanns and Kelly Bedeian - received federal funds to help train a group of 30 women living near Lake Victoria in Kenya on entrepreneurial skills and tools for breaking into the fishing business.
High school students tackling large problems, present solutions to community leaders
High school students from across eastern Iowa are taking the STEM Innovator Business Innovation class through the Jacobson Institute at the University of Iowa. These students have spent months problem solving potential issues in the state and are now presenting their ideas to a group of business and community leaders.
Students, faculty, staff honored for new business startup ideas
Numerous University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students received cash prizes for their new business start-up ideas recently in the Iowa Innovation Challenge.