Plas-Tech Tooling Named Top Five Finalist in Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Plas-Tech Tooling, Inc. of Garner, IA as one of the five finalists advancing to the grand finale of the SBA Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition. As part of the nation’s Freedom 250 celebrations, the competition spotlights the small businesses who leveraged SBA capital products to innovate, scale operations, and strengthen […]
Venture School Helps North Iowa Entrepreneurs Succeed
Applications Now Open for Fall 2026 CohortThe 51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center is now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 cohort of the University of Iowa Venture School program. The Fall 2026 program will begin with an online orientation session on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Classes will be held online via Zoom on Thursdays, October 8 through […]
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognize Eric Burt of EB Edits as the July 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Eric Burt of EB Edits in Mason City, Iowa as the July 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.EB Edits provides photography and videography services for sporting events, teams, businesses, organizations, concerts, livestock shows, FFA events, races, and community events. “I do […]
North Iowa Business Named as One of 10 Semifinalists in Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced Plas-Tech Tooling, Inc. of Garner, Iowa as one of the ten semifinalists advancing in the Patriot Pitch Competition, the agency’s Freedom 250 initiative celebrating 250 years of American small businesses that drive innovation, create jobs, and generate economic growth for local communities.Plas-Tech Tooling is an advanced manufacturing company specializing in precision […]
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognize Jeff & Lori Otto of Otto’s Oasis as the June 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Jeff and Lori Otto of Otto’s Oasis in Charles City, Iowa as the June 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month. Since purchasing the business in 2007, Jeff and Lori have continued to expand and adapt Otto’s Oasis. The business is a […]
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins Second Place at the 2026 EntreFEST Pitch Competition
Zack Smith of Lake Mills, IA won Second Place at the 2026 EntreFEST Pitch Competition on June 12th, 2026. The EntreFEST Pitch Competition, presented by Hy-Vee, brought together community leaders, founders, investors, and supporters In Iowa City to hear from five entrepreneurs as they competed for $15,000 in prize funding. Now in its second year of […]
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins Third Place at the 2026 Venture School Statewide Launch Day Competition
Cait Dillavou of Clear Lake, IA won Third Place at the University of Iowa’s Venture School Launch Day Competition on June 11, 2026. Ten teams from across Iowa competed in the event, which was held at EntreFest, a two-day entrepreneurial conference in Iowa City, IA. Five teams competed in the final round. A total of […]
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center Establishes Venture Launch Lab
New entrepreneurial incubator program helps North Iowa business owners build and grow a sustainable business ventureThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center recently launched Venture Launch Lab (VLL), a new entrepreneurial incubator program designed to help aspiring and early-stage business owners build the knowledge, systems, and confidence needed to successfully launch and grow a sustainable business.Venture […]
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 […]