The University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (UI JPEC) awarded $16,000 to startup founders during final pitch competitions for its fall Venture School program, which concluded the week of Nov. 17.
Four entrepreneurs took top honors at regional centers across Iowa: Omar Munoz of River City Silent Disco, with the Des Moines/Sioux City cohort; Chris Beyer of Ambient Grid representing the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids cohort; Cait Dillavou of Stone Heritage Jewelry with the Mason City cohort; and Catherine Colley of Decoded Health representing the Quad Cities cohort.
River City Silent Disco offers wireless headphone events in which participants choose individual music channels while dancing in the same space. Ambient Grid manufactures utility pole sensors that detect fires, infrastructure damage and weather changes to enable preventive maintenance. Stone Heritage Jewelry creates custom pieces through private consultations. Decoded Health operates an integrative concierge medical clinic focused on preventive care.
The seven-week program operates through hub locations in Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Sioux City and the Quad Cities, emphasizing customer discovery and Lean LaunchPad methodologies.
Additional prize winners included:
- Des Moines/Sioux City: Mitchell Fox of Axishub ($1,000), Brendan Nagle of Worth Brewing Company/Secret Garden ($500)
- Iowa City/Cedar Rapids: Jamie Popper of Popper Pets ($1,500), Mark Reimer of Helpfab ($1,000)
- Mason City: Jeffrey Pate of Harbor Home ($1,250), Christopher Ward of Forward Nutrition & Wellness Coaching ($750)
- Quad Cities: Sean McNair of QC Food F8 ($1,000), Allen Michael McCain of Level Up Bike Arcade ($500), Bob Rebitzer of Clean Tap Systems ($500)
Iowa JPEC partners with the University of Iowa Small Business Development Center, Eastern Iowa Community College, North Iowa Area Community College, Des Moines Area Community College and The Innovation Lab Dubuque to deliver the program.
The spring Venture School cohort is tentatively scheduled to begin in March.
