Ref. JPIBPC1-11-10

John Pappajohn, Iowa’s premier venture capitalist, has announced the launch of the 5th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition. The competition is designed to stimulate business development and provide support for outstanding business plans. The John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition is open to new and start-up businesses (in business for less than 6 years) in all industries. A total of $50,000 will be awarded to the top three submitted business plans ($25,000 for first prize, $15,000 for second and $10,000 for third). Honorable mention and $1,000 will be awarded to additional companies.

The first round of the business plan competition will take place between March 1 and April 30. During this time, businesses are invited to submit business information via Angelsoft. A link to Angelsoft is available at www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com.

Beginning May 12, selected companies will be contacted and invited to submit full business plans. Business plans will be accepted through Angelsoft from these companies between May 16 and June 30. The business plans will be reviewed; and seven to ten companies will be selected to present their business plan to the judges. These businesses will be contacted on July 30 to schedule presentation times. Presentations will take place between Sept. 6 and Sept. 11.

After presentations are completed, three finalists will be notified. Each finalist will prepare a fifteen minute presentation to be given at the Iowa Venture Capital and Entrepreneurs Conference (IVCEC) in Des Moines on Oct. 5. Winners will be announced following the presentations.

Assistance with business plan entries is available at the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers located at Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa; the Small Business Development Centers throughout the state; and the business accelerators in Ames, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City and Mason City.

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers provide entrepreneurial education and business support, partnering with agencies like the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED), Entrepreneurial Development Centers (EDCs) and local entrepreneurs to assist with funding and other business needs.

Rules, eligibility, timelines and assistance information are available at the competition website, www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com. For more information please contact Jamie T. Zanios, Director of the NIACC JPEC at 641-422-4162 or email at zaniojam@niacc.edu.

For additional information about the competition visit www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com or contact one of the JPEC centers via the contact information below.

Drake University John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
Debra Bishop
515-271-3818
deb.bishop@drake.edu

Iowa State University John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
Judi Eyles
515-296-8283
eyles@iastate.edu

North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
Jamie Zanios
641-422-4111
zaniojam@niacc.edu

University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
David Hensley
319-335-3999
david-hensley@uiowa.edu

University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
Randy Pilkington
319-273-6069
randy.pilkington@uni.edu

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