The University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) is recognizing 13 people at its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Honors event, held Oct. 20 at Old Brick in Iowa City.
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Honors event recognizes University of Iowa students, alumni, faculty, staff, and JPEC program participants who have created value through innovation and entrepreneurship. The event started in 2020.
The 2023 Iowa JPEC Innovation and Entrepreneurship honorees include:
- John Pappajohn Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year: Jerry Bednyak and Eric Vassilatos, managing partners, Skybox-Capital
- Alumni Entrepreneurial Leadership: John Mickelson, co-founder and managing partner, Midwest Growth Partners
- Young Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year: Josh Krakauer, CEO, SculptÂ
- Young Alumni Entrepreneurial Leadership: Erica Cole, founder and CEO, No LimbitsÂ
- Iowa Innovator of the Year: Howard Urnovitz,CEO, BiomedÂ
- Venture School Business of the Year: Russel Karim, founder, Dhakai, Inc.Â
- Student Startup of the Year: Martell Bell, founder and CEO, Ignite Consulting
- Student Startup of the Year: Jaecee Hall, founder, Unbreakable Female Athlete
- Entrepreneurial Leadership Student of the Year: Robbie WeilandÂ
- International Entrepreneurship Impact: Dave Okech, founder and CEO, AquaRech LTD
- Jacobson Institute K-12 Innovator: Corey Brinkmeyer, Linn-Mar (Iowa) High School
- Iowa JPEC Mentor of the Year: Steve Davis, president and co-founder, Bio::Neos, Inc.
Iowa JPEC is the hub for entrepreneurial education and outreach at the University of Iowa.
