The University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will recognize seven entrepreneurs and mentors at its annual awards reception April 8 at the Old Capitol Museum.
The honorees include startup founders, alumni entrepreneurs and university faculty members who have associations with Iowa JPEC.
Matthew Rooda and Abraham Espinoza, co-founders of SwineTech, will receive the Startup of the Year Award. The company develops software platforms and hardware tools that help pork producers improve operational efficiency and animal welfare. Mr. Rooda earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UI in 2016.
Founder and chairman of Alvita Care, Tracy Ongena, will receive the Alumni Entrepreneurial Leadership Award. Since founding the company in 2008, Ms. Ongena has expanded the home care agency to serve clients in five states. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Iowa in 2001.
The Young Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award will go to Jade Peterson, who founded Jolt Education after graduating with dual degrees in 2020 and 2021. Her company created a Chrome browser extension that enables teachers to incorporate educational videos into classroom lessons.
David Oliver, a 1995 Iowa graduate, has been named Mentor of the Year. Mr. Oliver has mentored University of Iowa students since 2014, including roles with Iowa JPEC’s Venture School, the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory summer accelerator and the Iowa Venture Mentoring Service.
Clinical associate professor Kurt Heiar will receive the Henry A. Johnson Entrepreneurship Teaching Award, which was previously announced in spring 2025.
Freedom Mukanga will receive the International Entrepreneurship Impact Award. Mr. Mukanga, who participated in the 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship program, leads FreedPer Scientific, which advances Africa’s weather and water data systems as well as supplying state-of-the-art equipment.
