$3,700 in Prizes Awarded to Local Startups

MASON CITY, Iowa— The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday November 14, 2024. The NIACC Fall 2024 Venture School cohort competed in person after attending classes virtually for 7 weeks of training, customer discovery, and developing their business model alongside local entrepreneur coaches. A panel of judges selected First, Second, and Third Place winners. The judges were: Matt Curtis (Wayne’s Ski & Cycle, Mason City), Caleb Renner (Renner Ag Solutions, Klemme), and Molly Watson (Home Style, Mason City).

Seven teams competed in the Fall 2024 Launch Day competition. Three top prizes and a Director’s Choice prize were awarded:

First Place – CaptuRE Recycling, Shaden Tweeten, Forest City, IA

Awarded $2000 prize. CaptuRE Recycling is a local startup tackling the world’s single use plastics crisis. Through specialized waste bins, recycling education, and community participation, CaptuRE diverts plastic waste from landfills and reprocesses them into valuable commodities.

Second Place – Trained AF, Alyssa Staudt, Charles City, IA

Awarded $1000 prize. Trained AF is a dog training business located outside of Charles City, priding ourselves in not only training the dog but also giving owners the tools and resources to have confidence in maintaining the learned behaviors.

Third Place – The Athlete’s Mentor, Teresa & Cody Alesch, Algona, IA

Awarded $500 prize. The Athlete’s Mentor is a professional coaching service that empowers student-athletes to reach their full potential. We offer personalized mentorship, interactive training programs, and a supportive community to cultivate mental toughness, leadership skills, and a growth mindset. Our unique approach helps student-athletes overcome obstacles, set ambitious goals, and achieve peak performance, both in sports and in life.

Director’s Choice Award – Tacos La Patrona, Yoana Bustillos, Buffalo Center, IA

Awarded $300 prize. Tacos La Patrona is a locally owned food truck serving up authentic Mexican tacos, bringing the flavors of home straight to you. Join us daily to share in the tastes and traditions we love.

Honorable Mentions

Levenhagen’s Cigar Lounge, Rusty Levenhagen, Mason City, IA

Levenhagen’s Cigar Lounge blends a rich, sophisticated atmosphere with a space for relaxation and discovery. It’s more than just a place to unwind; it’s where you can deepen your appreciation for fine cigars and connect with a community that shares the passion.

Insight Business Solutions, Amber Hisler, Hampton, IA

Insight Business Solutions provides professional assistance and customized solutions for owners and office managers to help streamline office operations and free up time.

Jambo Bar & Restaurant, Ayoub Malata, Mason City, IA

Jambo Bar & Restaurant is a welcoming spot where people can enjoy good food, drinks, and games while connecting with others. Come relax, have fun, and join in on the action or catch one of the many cornhole leagues and tournaments.

The University of Iowa Venture School is a premier statewide program for entrepreneurs and is built from a streamlined curriculum developed by the National Science Foundation I-Corps at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. Venture School emphasizes real-world entrepreneurship and innovation based on leading edge curriculum. Teams will accelerate the startup process by testing their business model hypotheses immediately. They get out of the building to talk to customers, partners, and competitors, rather than relying on statistics and secondhand market research.

Each Venture School team is assigned a local entrepreneur as their coach. On Launch Day, participants compete for seed money. In addition, eligible teams may compete for cash awards at the state level during the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day at EntreFEST in Cedar Rapids, IA on June 12-13, 2025. The cost for Venture School is $299. If you have questions about applying to Venture School or are interested in becoming a Venture School coach, please contact Ashley Page at ashley.page@niacc.edu. To apply for the Spring 2025 cohort, visit www.venture-school.com and select the Mason City cohort in the dropdown menu.

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, pappajohn@niacc.edu or www.pappajohncenter.com.

Photo from left: Itzel Rojas Leana, Yoana Bustillos, Amber Hisler, Alyssa Staudt, Shaden Tweeten, Ayoub Malata, Teresa Alesch, Cody Alesch, Rusty Levenhagen

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The mission of North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is to enrich lives through comprehensive educational opportunities, a commitment to learner success, community engagement, and leadership. Founded in 1918, NIACC is a nationally-recognized, two-year college located in central North Iowa. With approximately 3,000 career and transfer students, the College has been recognized by the Aspen Institute as a leading community college in the nation. Become a NIACC Trojan today at https://www.niacc.edu/apply-mkt/.