Winners announced in the 20th Annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins 3rd Prize of $15,000Jared Doerfler of Mason City, IA won Third Place at the 20th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition on Friday, August 22, 2025. Out of more than 35 submissions, 12 teams advanced to the final presentation round, with winners announced during a luncheon at Iowa State University […]
July 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Mike & Angie Lester of Winan Creek Barn as the July 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Mike and Angie Lester of Winan Creek Barn in Clear Lake, IA as the July 2025 Entrepreneurs of the […]
51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Hosts Youth Entrepreneurial Academy
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA) on June 16th-20th. YEA is a free one-week academic camp sponsored by the John K. and Luise V. Hanson Foundation, and is offered annually to all North Iowa high school students interested in entrepreneurship. Each participant receives a $500 51ÁÔÆæ scholarship sponsored […]
June 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Hallie Erdahl of Georgette Bridal as the June 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Hallie Erdahl of Georgette in Clear Lake, IA as the June 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Georgette is a […]
Local Entrepreneurs Gain World-Class Business Training with the GoldmanSachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
Kian Gibson of Hampton, IA graduated from the prestigious GoldmanSachs 10,000 Small Businesses program as a member of the Spring 2025 cohort. Gibson is a jeweler at Christiansen Jewelry, a family-owned company that offers fine jewelry, gemstones and diamonds, giftware, watches, gold and silver bullion, design and repair services. Christiansen Jewelry was founded in 1960. […]
51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to Host IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
One Day Summer Camp in Mason City, Charles City, and Forest CityThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will hold the IDEA Camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in Summer 2025 at locations in Mason City, Charles City, and Forest City.IDEA Camp helps students practice some of life’s key components: innovation, discovery, entrepreneurship, and […]
May 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Molly Watson of Home Style as the May 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Molly Watson of Home Style in Mason City, IA as the May 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Mason City entrepreneur Molly Watson has […]
51ÁÔÆæ Student Caleb Renner Wins Top Prize at 2025 Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) student Caleb Renner was named one of the top three winners at the John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. The 2025 John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition was held on Friday, April 25, at the University of Iowa Pappajohn Education and Events Center in Des Moines. The final presentation […]
2nd Annual Iowa Student Entrepreneur Summit
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the second annual Iowa Student Entrepreneurship Summit on April 11-12, 2025 at locations in Mason City and Clear Lake, IA. This dynamic event brings together business majors and student entrepreneurs from Iowa’s community colleges, private colleges and the University of Northern Iowa. The Student Entrepreneurship Summit included a […]
Business Transition Planning Workshop
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and the North Iowa Area SBDC will host a free virtual Business Transition Planning Workshop on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm via Zoom. Registration is required.Small business owners are invited to learn how to protect their legacy and plan for the future in this […]
Applications Now Open for 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy at the 51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center
Unique Opportunity for North Iowa High School StudentsMASON CITY, IOWA – The 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is now accepting applications for the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA), taking place from Monday, June 16 – Friday, June 20, 2025. A concluding pitch competition will be held on Monday, June 23, […]
Spring 2025 Venture School Launch Day Competition Awards
$4,000 in Prizes Awarded to Local EntrepreneursThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday March 27, 2025. The 51ÁÔÆæ Spring 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 […]
March 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month: Lori Finch
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Lori Finch of Gabby’s Gluten Free Goods of Britt, IA as the March 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Lori Finch, founder of Gabby’s Gluten Free Goods, turned a personal challenge into a business that provides high-quality gluten-free baked goods to customers […]
North Iowa Students Compete at 51ÁÔÆæ Everyday Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition on Thursday, March 20, 2025. 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 Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognized Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios as the February 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC were proud to announce Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios in Hampton, IA as the February 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.As the founder and CEO of Repaint Studios, Billie Asmus is revolutionizing the painting and home DIY industry with her eco-friendly invention, the Repaint Tray. […]