Featured News
Iowa Innovation Competition Awards $81,000 To Support UI Innovation
On November 18-20 the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) had the privilege of partnering with the University of Iowa’s Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Iowa Research Foundation, and UI Ventures to host the first phase of the Iowa Innovation Challenge. The Iowa Innovation Challenge will award over $225,000 during the 2019-2020 academic year to support innovation across campus and is open to all UIowa faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, and incubator startups.
The first phase of the Challenge was an elevator pitch competition which took place the past three days. The second phase of the Challenge will take place in spring 2020.
A total of 65 UI businesses pitched their ideas as a part of the elevator pitch competition, and $81,000 was awarded in prizes. Congratulations to all of the winners of the first phase of the Iowa Innovation Challenge.
Recent News
A group of African entrepreneurs come to the Quad Cities
A group of entrepreneurs, the Mandela Washington Fellows, visited the Quad Cities. The fellows are a group of 25 people from countries in Africa who are learning new techniques and methods to bring back to their home countries.
African fellows learn new business skills at the University of Iowa
African fellows participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship at the University of Iowa are studying American business and economics through the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.
Mandela Fellows tour Herbert Hoover Museum in West Branch
On Saturday, twenty-five African entrepreneurs participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship toured the Herbert Hoover Historic Site in West Branch.
Venture School Launch Day, Spring 2019
The University of Iowa’s Venture School, a nationally recognized program for entrepreneurs developed by John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, held its Venture School Launch Day event on Thursday, May 16th. This year, the event highlighted the top 8 teams from the year and awarded a total of $21,000 to these Venture School businesses during the competition.
From Tragedy Comes a Business Opportunity
Erica Cole, founder of No Limbits, tells her story of overcoming her tragedies to find business solving opportunities in her community.
Tippie College of Business Name Changes Reflect Focus on Innovation and Data Analysis
The Tippie College of Business has renamed it's Department of Management and Organizations to the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship to better reflect the increasing visibility and importance of entrepreneurship.
Founders Club Fair 2019 Recap
On April 5, 2019, Iowa JPEC hosted our annual Founders Club Fair at the Graduate Hotel in Iowa City. Over 300 students and members of the community attended the fair, meeting all of the innovative UI student businesses that are apart of our Founders Club program.
Business Model Competition (BMC) Spring 2019
On March 26 and 27, the University of Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) had the pleasure of hosting its annual Business Model Competition (BMC).
Innovator Spotlight: Mahdi Eghbali of VerdiLife
VentureWell's latest Innovator Spotlight is Iowa JPEC's very own, Mahdi Eghbali, founder of VerdiLife.
Iowa Startup Games Spring 2019 Recap
The first weekend of March we had the privilege of hosting the Spring 2019 Iowa Startup Games. This is a three-day event where students, from all areas of study, pitch their ideas to have an impact.
University of Iowa to host 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
The University of Iowa is proud to announce that it has been selected as an Institute Partner to host the 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders for the fourth year in a row.
Educational Institutions across United Stated selected to host Mandela Washington Fellows
Twenty-seven U.S. educational institutions in 20 states will host Leadership Institutes for 700 Mandela Washington Fellows, the University of Iowa being among them for their fourth year.
University of Iowa Student Starts Business to Make Custom Prosthetic Limb Covers
Senior at the University of Iowa, Erica Cole, has taken advantage of a unique opportunity to start her own business, No Limbits, to help others in the same position as her.
Erica Cole Wins Both Days of the Rose Francis Elevator Pitch Competition
On November 13 and 14, the University of Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) hosted the Rose Francis Elevator Pitch Competition.
IC Inventor Takes Chance on Water-Borne Drone
Mr. Simon, founder of Iowa City-based Clean River Solutions, is developing the RC Beaver, a drone device designed to cut through the tangle of timber, trash and other material that collects around bridge pilings and other inconvenient places.