Mason City, Iowa – The University of Iowa’s Venture School, the state of Iowa’s premiere entrepreneurial training program developed by the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC), will train entrepreneurs in the Mason City region in partnership with North Iowa Area Community College Pappajohn Center in Spring 2020. The seven-week Venture School program is built from a streamlined curriculum developed by the National Science Foundation I-Corps at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Since its inception, Venture School has helped guide over 325 teams across the state of Iowa, and is designed to benefit Iowa startups, small businesses, non-profits, and corporate innovation teams.

Venture School is now accepting applications to participate in its Spring 2020 program. The program helps individuals and teams master the startup process by focusing on real-world experimentation, customer discovery, and Lean LaunchPad methodologies.

Participants will gain marketing and make valuable connections to help them take their innovative idea to the next level. Venture School is currently looking for hardworking teams and individuals throughout the Mason City region to join the upcoming fall program.

Details for the upcoming Venture School Program in Mason City

• Application Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2020
• Orientation:  February 13, 2020
• Program Dates: February 20 – April 9, 2020
• Program Meets: Thursday evenings from 5:30 pm-9:00 pm
• Location: NIACC Pappajohn Center room 117, 500 College Dr., Mason City, IA 50401
• Visit venture-school.com for more information

About the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center & Venture School: Established in 1996, The University of Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) is committed to teaching and supporting innovation and entrepreneurial development. Iowa JPEC is proud to play an important role in the development of Iowa-based technology and high-growth startup companies. Serving University of Iowa students, Iowa startups and businesses, and k-12 innovative youth, Iowa JPEC’s programs support entrepreneurs of all ages and experience levels. Established in 2013, Venture School is an extension of Iowa JPEC. The statewide Venture School program helps entrepreneurs by accelerating the startup process and increasing their odds of success. Venture School is the state of Iowa’s only National Science Foundation I-Corps Site. For more information, please visit www.venture-school.com.

The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is the expert in rural business innovation and success. In partnership with North Iowa’s Small Business Development Center, together we provide tools, support, and resources to Iowa’s entrepreneurs. We counsel both new and existing local businesses, from Main Street to industry leaders. We’re growing Iowa’s entrepreneurial culture through grade school initiatives, college and community programs, and business training and development. Contact the NIACC Pappajohn Center at 641-422-4111 or pappajohn@niacc.edu.

 # # #

Ref #6562