NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Hosts Youth Entrepreneurial Academy
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center conducted the 2023 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA) on June 12-16. 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 NIACC scholarship sponsored […]
North Iowa entrepreneur takes home win from 2023 Venture School Launch Day Competition
MASON CITY, IOWA – Mary Jo Vrba of Mason City, IA, took home Third Place at the 2023 University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day which was held Thursday, June 8, 2023. Eleven teams from across the state of Iowa competed in the event that was held at EntreFEST, a two-day entrepreneurial conference in Iowa […]
May 2023 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC recognizes Jon Tofte of I-35 Auctions as the May 2023 Entrepreneur of the Month The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Jon Tofte of I-35 Auctions in Clear Lake, IA as the May 2023 Entrepreneur of the Month. Jon is the founder […]
North Iowa Businesses Compete in Venture School Launch Day
MASON CITY, Iowa— The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the Venture School Launch Day competition on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. The Spring 2023 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 [Stacy […]
April 2023 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC recognizes Amanda Black of Nora Springs Insurance as the April 2023 Entrepreneur of the Month The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Amanda Black of Nora Springs Insurance in Nora Springs, IA as the April 2023 Entrepreneur of the Month. Amanda Black […]
Business Transition Planning Workshop
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center & SBDC is hosting a Business Transition Planning Workshop on Thursday, April 20th. For small business owners, it’s never too early to start planning for the future. Future proof your business at this free workshop. Registration is required. Seats are limited. Develop the strategies you need to protect your […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Teaches 5th Graders About Entrepreneurism
The North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center conducted an Entrepreneur for a Day program (E4D®) at the Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School on March 9 in Belmond and at NIACC on March 24 for the Belmond-Klemme 5th grade students. Over 40 students participated in the two-session program sponsored by Wright County […]
Application Portal Now Open for John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
The 2023 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition application portal is now open. The eighteenth annual statewide competition will award $100,000 in cash prizes to Iowa startups and entrepreneurial ventures. The $100,000 in seed funding includes a $50,000 contribution from John and Mary Pappajohn, matched by $50,000 from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). This […]
Catarino Martinez of Avion Azul as the March 2023 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Catarino Martinez of Avion Azul in Clear Lake, IA as the March 2023 Entrepreneur of the Month. Avion Azul opened in December 2021 and is located at the Mason City Municipal Airport where it provides customers with a unique view […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center to host DeltaV Code 101 as part of the Community Partners program with NewBoCo
Free workshops to be held throughout Spring 2023 MASON CITY, Iowa— The Pappajohn Center has partnered with The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo) to bring the Delta V Code School to North Iowa. This is an opportunity for Iowans to upskill in preparation for high-wage, high-demand jobs in the technology sector. Code 101, a free […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center hires Ashley Page as Director of Entrepreneurship Programs and Client Success
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is proud to welcome Ashley Page as the Director of Entrepreneurship Programs and Client Success. Ashley will be responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction, program management, operations, and the execution for startup and early-stage engagement programs. As the main point of contact for programs and innovation, Ashley will […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC recognizes February 2023 Entrepreneurs of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to recognize Beth and Brent DeGroote of Corwith Farm Service in Corwith, IA and Simply Nourished in Clear Lake, IA as the February 2023 Entrepreneurs of the Month. In 2018, Beth and Brent DeGroote bought Corwith Farm Service. Corwith Farm Service is […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center now accepting applications for Spring 2023 Venture School
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is now accepting applications for the Spring 2023 cohort of the University of Iowa Venture School program. The Spring 2023 program will be held as a hybrid in-person/online on Wednesday evenings, and will begin with an in-person orientation session on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. U of I Venture School […]
January 2023 Entrepreneur of the Month – Easy2Show
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to recognize Jill and Troy Ihrke of Easy2Show in Sheffield, IA as the January 2023 Entrepreneur of the Month. Easy2Show is a completely integrated software used to manage competitions and exhibitors, as well as clubs. Their patent pending software process moves data […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC recognizes Allen Eden of Original Saw Company as the December 2022 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to recognize Allen Eden of Original Saw Company in Britt, IA as the December 2022 Entrepreneur of the Month. Allen Eden is the President of Original Saw Company and Williams & Hussey. Original Saw was established in 1990 by Allen’s father, Robert […]