Aspiring entrepreneurs looking to refine their business ideas and gain expert guidance can apply for the Spring 2025 cohort of the University of Iowa Venture School. The deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 28, with courses beginning the week of March 3.
UI Venture School, a statewide program designed for entrepreneurs, follows a streamlined curriculum developed by the National Science Foundation I-Corps at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. The program emphasizes real-world entrepreneurship, helping participants build and refine their business models through hands-on learning, expert coaching, and feedback-driven pivots.
According to a news release, the seven-week program meets one night per week and offers hybrid, fully remote, and in-person options depending on the location. Each team is assigned a local entrepreneur coach, and the program culminates with a Venture School Launch Day Competition during the week of April 21. The cost is $299 per team.
Spring 2025 Locations and Schedule:
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Iowa City/Cedar Rapids (Hybrid)
- Sponsored by: Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- Tuesdays, starting March 4
- Location: BioVentures Center, Coralville
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Des Moines (In-Person)
- Sponsored by: Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and MidIowa SBDC
- Wednesdays, starting March 5
- Location: DMACC Urban Campus, Building 7, Room 170 (1144 7th St., Des Moines)
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Dubuque (Remote/Online)
- Sponsored by: The Innovation Lab Dubuque
- Tuesdays, starting March 4
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Quad-Cities (Remote/Online)
- Sponsored by: Eastern Iowa Community College and Eastern Iowa SBDC
- Wednesdays, starting March 5
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Sioux City (Remote/Online)
- Tuesdays, starting March 4
Venture School participants will experience the challenges of launching a business, gaining the skills needed to test their ideas, refine their strategies, and navigate the uncertainties of entrepreneurship. The program encourages participants to adapt and innovate, ensuring their business plans align with real-world opportunities.
For more details or to apply for the Spring 2025 cohort, visit www.venture-school.com.
For more information, contact Shannon Henderson at [email protected].
