2nd Annual Iowa Student Entrepreneur Summit
The NIACC 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 NIACC 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 NIACC Pappajohn Center
Unique Opportunity for North Iowa High School StudentsMASON CITY, IOWA – The North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) 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 NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday March 27, 2025. The NIACC 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 NIACC 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 NIACC Everyday Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition
The NIACC 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 […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognized Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios as the February 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC 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. […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Hosts IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center held the inaugural IDEA Camp for middle school students on Presidents’ Day, Monday February 17, 2025.28 students from 12 schools across North Iowa attended IDEA Camp where they put into practice life’s key skills: innovation, discovery, entrepreneurship, and achievement. This hands-on program guides young innovators […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to Host IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
Full Day Program on Presidents’ Day, February 17, 2025MASON CITY, IOWA – The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will hold the IDEA Camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students on Presidents’ Day, Monday February 17, 2025. The camp will run 8:30am to 3:30pm. Check-in begins at 8am. The camp will […]
2025 Venture School Applications Open
Applications Now Open for Spring 2025 CohortNorth Iowa entrepreneurs are achieving success with the assistance of the NIACC 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 overcome the chaos and […]
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins 2024 InnoVenture Iowa Challenge
Billie Asmus of Hampton wins $100,000 Top Prize at Pitch CompetitionBillie Asmus of Hampton, IA won the top prize at the 2024 InnoVenture Challenge on Thursday, December 5. The InnoVenture Challenge invites the best and brightest Iowa entrepreneurs to participate in a pitch competition where three early-stage startup companies compete on-stage for a winner-take-all $100,000 […]
North Iowa Entrepreneurs Compete in Venture School Launch Day Competition
$3,700 in Prizes Awarded to Local StartupsMASON 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 […]
Winners Announced at the 2024 NIACC Pappajohn Center Entrepreneur Gala
The 2024 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala celebrated North Iowa’s entrepreneurs on October 3, 2024 at a special recognition event at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. Entrepreneurs and businesses across North Iowa were invited to apply for four awards categories: Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Student Entrepreneur of the Year, […]
Finalists Announced for NIACC Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala Awards
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is proud to announce the finalists for the 2024 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala awards. The Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala will take place on Thursday October 3, 2024. The Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala will celebrate the remarkable journey of the Pappajohn Center, showcase the achievements of North Iowa’s outstanding entrepreneurs, and honor the […]
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 […]