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 […]

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$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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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 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 […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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