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
Spring 2018 Iowa Startup Games
This past weekend, February 23-25, the University of Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) had the pleasure of hosting Iowa Startup Games. The weekend long event was a success with 37 students participating to compete for $2,750 in cash prizes.
The Elevator Pitch: Gnarly Pepper
Sioux City Venture School alum business Gnarly Pepper features their custom spice blend formulations that mix with Greek yogurt. Learn more here.
UI to Welcome Mandela Fellows This Summer
For the third year in a row, the University of Iowa will host young leaders from Africa for the Mandela Fellowship program. Read more online.
Student-run startup gives students business resources
Isabel Reed's company, Co-Found It, provides Iowa Ctiy community members with resources to help expand and cultivate their business ideas. Read more online.
2018 IdeaStorm Unleashes Torrent of Business Ideas
More than 30 University of Iowa students made their best pitches to a panel of judges last week and took home $1,500 in cash prizes at the Spring 2018 IdeaStorm.
Iowa City's Very Own Silicon Valley
The University of Iowa, through Iowa JPEC, has created a place for student businesses to exceed. The Founders Club offers a place for students to become successful in their businesses.
Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
Open to all college students in Iowa, the Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition is now accepting applications.
Spring 2018 IdeaStorm Recap
The spring 2018 IdeaStorm competition brought over 30 students to MERGE to pitch their business idea- in less than a minute! Each semester, students from majors all across campus familiarize themselves with the pitching process at IdeaStorm.
Qneo's 'hyper-local' coupon app debuts in Iowa City
Sioux City-based Qneo has brought its free-to-download, "hyper-local Groupon" service to Iowa City. Read more online.
UI to Welcome Mandela Washington Fellows this Summer
The University of Iowa is proud to announce that, for the third year in a row, it has been selected as an institute partner for the 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
Williams brings research experience to her teachings on negotiation
Michele Williams stresses teamwork in business relationships and uses the Iowa JPEC's Iowa Startup Games competition to study team work and help innovator teams.
U.S. higher education institutions selected to host Mandela Washington Fellows
The U.S. Department of State and IREX are pleased to announce the 27 U.S. universities, including the University of Iowa, that have been selected to host 700 Mandela Washington Fellows in summer 2018.
UI Founders Club Features 10 Engineering Student Running Businesses
10 College of Engineering students have enrolled their startup companies in the University of Iowa's Founder Club for the Spring 2018 semester. Read more online.
UI spinout gets boost from state award
ECR Logic, LLC, a University of Iowa spinout organization, is positioned for progress following a $25,000 award from the state's Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR) Fund. Read more online.
Board Action: Economic Develpment Board Approves Awards to Support Over $87 Million in Capital Investment in Iowa
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board awarded direct financial assistance and tax benefits to four companies for job creation and expansion projects, two of which are Venture School alumni. Read more online.