The University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center awarded more than $16,000 in prize money to the latest graduates of its statewide Venture School program this month, university officials announced.
The spring cohort concluded the week of April 20 with final pitch competitions across five regional hubs. A total of $16,750 was distributed among startups in Des Moines, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa and the Quad Cities.
(PHOTO BY DARREN MILLER)
Top honors and $2,500 first-place prizes went to MiDi LLC in Des Moines and Monarch Construction in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids region. Other first-place winners included Swift Lift Logistics in Mason City, Home Plate Sports Cards in Ottumwa and Sutton Analytics in the Quad Cities.
The winning ventures represent a broad spectrum of the Iowa economy. In Des Moines, Barbara O’Rourke’s MiDi LLC is developing a specialized neonatal feeding device. In Iowa City, Laura and Jeff Edwards lead Monarch Construction, a female-owned firm specializing in fixed-price contracting. Mason City’s Swift Lift Logistics, operated by Luke and Starr Benjamin, provides moving services specifically tailored for seniors.
In Ottumwa, Eddie Pierson’s Home Plate Sports Cards combines retail storefront operations with regional partnerships.
Jennifer Sutton of Sutton Analytics in the Quad Cities provides businesses with data-driven forecasting for new product launches.
The seven-week Venture School program is a cornerstone of the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Managed by Iowa JPEC, the training focuses on customer discovery and lean startup methodologies. The program is supported by regional partners including the University of Iowa Small Business Development Center and several community colleges.
The program will resume this fall. Cohorts in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids are scheduled to begin in late September, with all other locations following in early October.
