MiDi LLC, a Des Moines-based startup that develops products to help premature infants safely build feeding skills, claimed the $20,000 grand prize at the University of Iowa’s Venture School Launch Day on June 11.
The event, held at Plaza Towers in conjunction with the ENTREFest conference, distributed a total of $45,000 in prize money among 10 teams.
Founded by Barb and Steve O’Rourke, MiDi LLC was one of several startups recognized for their entrepreneurial innovation. Second place and $12,000 went to Popper Pets, a company founded by Jamie Popper that creates hands-free dog-training gear. Stone Heritage Jewelry, a custom heirloom jewelry business founded by Cait Dillavou, earned third place and $6,000.
Two finalists: An Enduring Legacy (Emily Zimmon) and Minarium (Rob Walczak), and five semifinalists, received $1,000 each. The semifinalists were Ambient Grid (Chris Beyer), The Makers Collective Hub (Bri Nicholson), Monarch Contracting (Laura Edwards), River City Silent Disco (Omar Munoz), and Sutton Analytics (Jennifer Sutton).
Venture School is an initiative of the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC). The statewide training program focuses on customer discovery, real-world experimentation and Lean LaunchPad methodologies.
The program partners with institutions across the state, including Des Moines Area Community College, Eastern Iowa Community College, Eastern Iowa SBDC, Indian Hills Community College, Indian Hills Community College SBDC, MidIowa SBDC, North Iowa Area Community College, North Iowa Area SBDC, SCORE, The Innovation Lab, Dubuque, and the University of Iowa SBDC.
