North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins First Place at the 19th Annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
Billie Asmus of Hampton, IA won First Place at the 19th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition on Thursday, August 22, 2024. From more than 30 submissions, 10 teams advanced to the final presentation round, where the winners were announced at a luncheon at Iowa State University in Ames.
The ceremony began with remarks regarding the late John and Mary Pappajohn, recognizing their significant contributions to fostering entrepreneurship across Iowa. Their enduring legacy was honored by highlighting the impact of the five Pappajohn Centers and the ongoing success of the Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition in strengthening Iowa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Following the presentations, a panel of judges selected the top three winners and announced the honorable mention awards.
Repaint Studios received first place and was awarded $40,000. Repaint Studios is a certified woman-owned business committed to reducing the environmental impact of the home improvement and painting industry by creating reusable and eco-friendly painting supplies. They have pioneered a greener approach with a reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid, known as the Repaint Tray, which replaces traditional plastic and single-use paint trays and liners.
Billie Asmus – Founder
Asmus shared her journey in the competition, stating, “This was my third year entering the Pappajohn Venture Competition, so I had a good idea of how to prepare and revise my application. Still, it is a rigorous process that spans several months, involving filling out numerous application questions, ensuring your projections are accurate, and demonstrating on paper why you deserve to be in that room pitching to the judges. It can be intimidating, but it also provides valuable experience and skills for pitching to future investors or potential retail partners… three years ago, I promised myself that I would keep entering this competition until I won. The first year, I didn’t make it past the first round. In the second year, I received an Honorable Mention. And this year, I brought home 1st place.”
Rise Energy came in second place and was awarded $25,000 (Ryan Smith, Jordan Funkhauser, and Tannon Daugaard). HUDU received third place and was awarded $15,000 (Derreck Stratton). An additional $15,000 was awarded to three companies that received honorable mentions. The award recipients include NeuroPred, Inc. (Michal Brzus – $10,000), Upvote, Inc. (Zack Krawiec – $5,000), and Upcycling+ (Xun Wu and Akalanka Tennakoon – $5,000).
Since 2006, the John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition, supported by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, has invested $1.3 million into participating businesses, celebrating entrepreneurship across Iowa. The event is a collaborative effort led by the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers at Iowa State University, Drake University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa.
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.
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