Featured News
Winners announced in the 21st Annual John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
The 2021 John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition was held virtually with 13 students advancing to the final presentation round, where plans were reviewed by John Pappajohn and his team. Student entrepreneurs entering the competition came from Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa. The following businesses emerged as winners of this year’s competition, with each venture receiving $5,000.
- Thuy Nguyen, founder of Optic Origin, University of Iowa. Optic Origin provides vision correction to underserved communities through an intelligently prescription match platform.
- Mason Weh, founder of Mentoring for Change, Iowa State University. Mentoring for Change aims to mentor disadvantaged youth ages 15-19 through sports and art to help them reach their full potential.
- Anthony Piscopo, Hawkeye Surgical Lighting, University of Iowa. Hawkeye Surgical Lighting has developed a light worn by surgeons that lights up tumors during a surgical procedure.
Recent News
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.
UI Fosters Innovation on Many Levels
With plans to build a new center of innovation and the hiring of a chief innovation officer, the University of Iowa will continue to build on its reputation of supporting innovation and entrepreneurship for students and faculty.
Mandela Washington Fellow Wins ICT Awards
On October 24 in Kenya, one of our past Mandela Washington Fellows was the overall winner of The Connected Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Awards. Gervase Jeneri Wakoli had the SME with the largest social impact that aligned with the ministry of ICT. His Company Engho Kuku Farmer won both the agricultural category and the overall prize.