Featured News
Meet the Fellow: Seesio Jonase Koetlisi
Four years ago, Seesio Jonase Koetlisi started his private emergency medical agency, Pems 24 seven. They pride themselves on operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and getting their patients to the hospital alive. The company’s primary objective is to provide pre-hospital care, fire and rescue services. The agency was inspired by the death of Koetlisi’s mother back in 2005.
Recent News
Meet the Fellow: Ana Castelbranco
Ana Castelbranco is the founder of Kamarta, a brand of national food products in Angola. Two years ago, after she returned home from working in London for seven years, Ana realized that her home country didn’t have any local food products being sold at their markets. When she tried to sell her mom’s homemade chili to some local markets, she saw the need for a wider variety of products.
UpCraft Club from Des Moines joins Puerto Rico accelerator program
UpCraft Club, a Des Moines-based company that sells digital sewing patterns online, recently joined an accelerator program in Puerto Rico.
How thinking across industries can help solve complex problems
Industry leaders in Iowa share the benefits of thinking across other industries.
Mandela Washington fellows help University of Iowa tap into global market
The University of Iowa is hosting 25 business leaders from Africa as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
Young African Leaders Initiative fellows visit Iowa City, tour the state
John Pappajohn, a well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist, spoke to a group of Fellows from the 2017 Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) last week. The Fellows are learning about economics in Iowa and the fundamentals of entrepreneurship during their six-week program.
Meet the Fellow: Henry Ngale Foretia
Henry Ngale Foretia is the founder and owner of Ets Henry & Freres, the only poultry farming management business in his home country of Cameroon, Africa. Henry grew up with four siblings.
Coralville's HLT raises $8 million investment
Higher Learning Technologies (HLT), a company in Coralville, creates mobile study apps for intense exams. HLT recently raised $8 million in investments and plans to use it to expand their team.
Visiting African students receive innovative gift from John Pappajohn
John Pappajohn, a philanthropist and venture capitalist, gifted the Drake University and Unversity of Iowa Mandela Washington Fellows with a food dehydrator made by an Iowa-based company called KinoSol. Pappajohn's purpose for the gift was to spur entrepreneurial growth among the Fellows.
Jacobson Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship hosts start-up camp
Elementary and middle school students have the opportunity to become entrepreneurs through the University of Iowa's Jacobson Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship summer camp. The campers learn the skills needed to start their own businesses, then they actually create and sell their products.
Save the Piggies
Matthew Rooda, University of Iowa alumni and founder of SwineTech, created a device to prevent piglets from being crushed by their mothers, and therefore save the pork industry billions of dollars.
Pappajohn to young African entrepreneurs: Do something, but enjoy it
Drake University and the University of Iowa's Mandela Washington Fellows got to hear from John Pappajohn, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, last week.
Young African entrepreneurs learning business skills in Iowa
The University of Iowa's Mandela Washington Fellows recently visited Davenport, Iowa. They are participating in this six-week program to enhance their entrepreneurial skills and expand their network.
Young fresh faces set up shop at farmers market
Young entrepreneurs participating in the Jacobson Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship summer camp had the opportunity to open their own booths at the Iowa City farmers market.
6 ways states are creating small business hot spots — and jobs
There are six main reasons certain states are attracting small businesses more than others.
This 26-year-old founder explains how to build a successful social enterprise
Aristole Loumis, founder of Ellison Eyewear, gives advice on how to build a successful social enterprise. Ellison Eyewear is a company that helps build homes around the world and offers sight to impoverished communities.