The 2024-25 edition of the Startup Games, hosted by the University of Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC), kicked off on Oct. 4, drawing 23 students eager to transform their ideas into viable business ventures.
Over the course of the weekend, participants collaborated, conducted research, and received guidance from business coaches, culminating in the final pitches on Oct. 5 inside the Pappajohn Business Building.
MedBerry, a startup aimed at reducing children’s medical anxiety through stuffed animals furnished with outfits, accessories, and accompanying stories, won the first-place prize of $1,000.
The competition, which distributed $3,000 among five teams, began with students outlining their business ideas on Friday evening. By Saturday, they were fully immersed – assigning roles, conducting research, engaging in customer discovery, and consulting with business coaches to refine their concepts ahead of the final pitches.
Eye Shield, which designs automatic light-adjusting contact lenses with various tint and filtration options, claimed second place and $750. Study Sync, a platform connecting students for study groups and peer support, earned the $500 Best Pivot Award, while In-Route, offering indoor navigation software for large properties, won the Industry Target Award for the same amount. The $250 Creativity and Vision Award went to Zapam, a digital book platform tailored to fans of physical books.
Startup Games, an annual event, is sponsored by Iowa JPEC, the university’s hub for entrepreneurial education and innovation, which provides students with real-world experience in launching businesses.
