51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to Host IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
One Day Summer Camps in Clear Lake and Charles City Registration is now open for the 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center’s premiere youth program for North Iowa middle school students. IDEA Camp is designed for 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students, and will be held in Summer 2026 at locations in Clear Lake and Charles City, […]
Youth Entrepreneurial Academy Registration Now Open for Summer 2026
Hosted by the 51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center with New, Flexible FormatMASON CITY, IOWA – Registration is now open for the 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center’s premiere youth program for high school students, the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA). The Youth Entrepreneurial Academy is a unique opportunity for North Iowa high school students to expand their horizons, discover […]
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Jordan Klooster of Klooster Flaps as the May 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Jordan Klooster of Klooster Flaps in Garner, Iowa as the May 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.As the founder of Klooster Flaps, Jordan is proving that entrepreneurship starts with identifying a simple need and grows through the willingness to figure out […]
Applications Now Open for the 2026 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
The 2026 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition application portal is now open. The annual statewide competition will award a total of $100,000 in cash prizes to early-stage Iowa startups and entrepreneurial ventures that intend to scale operations in Iowa. The John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition contest is intended to encourage and promote entrepreneurial […]
North Iowa Entrepreneurs Compete in Spring 2026 Venture School Launch Day Competition
$4000 in Prizes Awarded to Local EntrepreneursThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The 51ÁÔÆæ Spring 2026 Venture School cohort competed in person after attending classes virtually for 7 weeks of training, customer discovery, and developing their business model alongside local […]
March 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Stephanie Lorenson of North Iowa Wellness Clinic as the March 2026 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Stephanie Lorenson of North Iowa Wellness Clinic in Lake Mills, Iowa as the March 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.With more […]
February 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Jesus Juarez of Reserve 173 Bar & Grill as the February 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Jesus Juarez of Reserve 173 Bar & Grill in Clear Lake, IA as the February 2026 Entrepreneur of the […]
North Iowa Students Compete at 51ÁÔÆæ Everyday Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The Everyday Entrepreneur Program is sponsored in conjunction with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), helping to provide access to entrepreneurial education and funding for students to take their businesses from an idea to a thriving […]
51ÁÔÆæ JPEC Hosts IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center held IDEA Camp for middle school students on Presidents’ Day, Monday February 16, 2026. IDEA Camp is for creative and ambitious middle school students who are eager to explore entrepreneurship, develop creative problem-solving skills, and build confidence in their ability to create and innovate. No […]
IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to Host IDEA Camp for Middle School StudentsFull Day Program on Presidents’ Day, February 16, 2026The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will hold the IDEA Camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students on Presidents’ Day, Monday February 16, 2026. The camp will run 8:30am to 3:30pm. […]
Venture School Helps North Iowa Entrepreneurs Succeed
Applications Now Open for Spring 2026 CohortMASON CITY, Iowa – North Iowa entrepreneurs are achieving success with the assistance of the 51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center cohort of the University of Iowa Venture School. Venture School is the premiere business training program in Iowa, emphasizing real-world entrepreneurship and innovation based on a leading-edge curriculum. Participants learn to […]
December 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Megan Dennis of Still Waters Day & Scalp Spa as the December 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Megan Dennis of Still Waters Day & Scalp Spa in Clear Lake, IA as the December 2025 Entrepreneur […]
JPEC November 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Alisha Johnson of A. Johnson Trucking as the November 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Alisha Johnson of A. Johnson Trucking in Northwood, IA as the November 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Alisha […]
North Iowa Entrepreneurs Compete in Fall 2025 Venture School Launch Day Competition
$3,500 in Prizes Awarded to Local EntrepreneursThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday October 22, 2025. The 51ÁÔÆæ Fall 2025 Venture School cohort competed in person after attending classes virtually for 7 weeks of training, customer discovery, and developing their business model alongside local […]
North Iowa Entrepreneur Billie Asmus Lands Deal on ABC’s Shark Tank
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are proud to celebrate Billie Asmus of Hampton, founder and CEO of Repaint Studios, for securing an investment deal on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank.Billie appeared on the October 8, 2025 episode, where she presented her company’s flagship product, The Repaint […]