Adam Keune, co-founder of Higher Learning Technologies based in Coralville, has been appointed as the executive director of the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business.
Mr. Keune was named Iowa JPEC’s Entrepreneur-In-Residence in 2023-24 and has served on the center’s advisory board since 2018, a release said. He received the Young Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the center in 2021. A 2010 JPEC alumnus, Mr. Keune co-founded Higher Learning Technologies in 2012, a company focusing on educational and training applications. He credits Iowa JPEC for its role in launching his business.
“I’ve been involved as a student, startup founder, board member and staff member and now I get to use my experience to get people excited about Iowa JPEC,” Mr. Keune said. “I’m looking forward to providing the kind of opportunities to students and faculty that I received from JPEC while building my own startup.”
Amy Kristof-Brown, dean of the Tippie College of Business, emphasized Mr. Keune’s startup experience as a crucial factor in his hiring.
“It underscores his commitment to economic growth and business innovation coupled with higher education,” she said. “His track record aligns perfectly with our mission to empower the next generation of Iowa entrepreneurs. Adam represents the perfect blend of entrepreneurial experience and working with higher education professionals. His familiarity with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Iowa offers tremendous opportunity for Iowa JPEC to expand its influence and build reputation within the state and nationally.”
Mr. Keune’s statewide network includes roles as a mentor in the Cedar Rapids-based Iowa Startup Accelerator, executive board member of Greater Iowa City Inc., and board member of the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Innovation Council.
As director, Keune plans to reconnect with Iowa JPEC alumni, involving them as mentors and business coaches. He also aims to establish a university venture fund for student, faculty, and alumni businesses, and create an Iowa alumni network of angel investors to support early-stage entrepreneurs.
Founded in 1996 with a gift from John Pappajohn, a notable University of Iowa alumnus and venture capitalist, Iowa JPEC offers educational and training resources to student and faculty entrepreneurs across the campus and the state.
Mr. Keune succeeds David Hensley, who stepped down last December after more than 20 years as director. Mr. Hensley remains Iowa JPEC’s director of undergraduate studies and director of the university’s Enterprise Leadership major.
“Adam is an outstanding choice to lead Iowa JPEC,” he said. “His experience, enthusiasm, and network will help accelerate new venture creation at Iowa and across the state. I know John Pappajohn would be very pleased to have an Iowa JPEC alum and co-founder of an Iowa education technology company leading the entrepreneurship program at his alma mater.”
Since Mr. Hensley’s retirement, Lynn Allendorf, JPEC’s director, has served as interim executive director.
