About The NIACC John Pappajohn
Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC)

The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center seeks to enhance the quality of life through:

Entrepreneurship Education
       Teaching skills to maximize the likelihood of entrepreneurial success

Entrepreneur and Business Support
       Helping businesses launch and thrive in a dynamic environment

Partnerships to Stimulate Entrepreneurship
       Work with others to leverage resources and maximize impact

About Mr. John Pappajohn
NIACC JPEC Advisory Board
JPEC Staff

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John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers -
Growing Entrepreneurs in Iowa

A Collaborative Approach

John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers & Iowa Small Business Development Centers

For Iowa entrepreneurs, the need for resources and assistance is met through the collaborative approach of the Iowa Small Business Development Centers and the five John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers.

This shared method remains focused on helping each entrepreneur understand his or her unique set of opportunities and issues. Each interaction with an entrepreneur is carefully tailored to develop innovative and practical business growth strategies. The goal of these seventeen centers, with varied locations at Iowa universities, community colleges and within the communities is to assist in the creation of sustainable Iowa companies through their work with entrepreneurs across the state.

Many benefits result for the State of Iowa in supporting the education and development of Iowa entrepreneurs. Benefits include: increasing the number of Iowans inclined to start a new business in Iowa; diversifying and growing the Iowa economy through the creation and proliferation of firms engaged in advanced technologies; creating exciting employment opportunities for all Iowans – including our college and university graduates; and heightening awareness of entrepreneurial opportunities in Iowa, including ownership, investment and support.

Iowa entrepreneurs are provided a multitude of hands-on and easily accessible services each year. Here are some examples of the technical services and guidance being provided.

Business Start-up and Expansion Services:

One-on-one business counseling, business feasibility and business plan preparation

Educational programs, including FastTrac™ and many topical presentations related to starting and growing a business

Linkages to market research and other resources required for assessment and launch of a new venture

Mentoring and networking opportunities with successful entrepreneurs and service providers

Incubators and business accelerators

Technical Assistance:

Access to Iowa universities’ technology development resources

Tech transfer from university research

Intellectual property assessment and advice

Expertise in law, management, marketing, strategic planning, grant development, corporate structure, and more

Research and development funding sources

Access to Capital:

Seed and venture funds, including the Wellmark Venture Capital Fund, equity funds and local angel groups

Guidance to commercial lending and small business lending programs

Annual venture capital and entrepreneur conference

Extensive resource base of experienced business and investment expertise

Creating Entrepreneurial Communities and Regions:

Entrepreneurial development training and capacity building for local economic development groups

Rural entrepreneurship system – Farm to Market and MyEntreNet, which includes guidance for community empowerment

Participation on local, regional and statewide boards to promote entrepreneurship in Iowa

Successful incubator models

Entrepreneurial Education:  Educating the Next Generation

This collaborative approach provides one of the most extensive and nationally recognized student entrepreneurship programs in the country. 

• Majors and minors in entrepreneurship
• Campus-wide entrepreneurship certificates
• Student business incubators
• Student business plan competitions
• Entrepreneurial scholarships
• Business internship scholarships
• Speaker and lecture series
• Internship programs
• Online curriculum options
• Annual Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Iowa Conference
• Student learning communities
• Student entrepreneur clubs
• Student field study projects solving real business problems for Iowa companies
• Entrepreneurial curriculum development
• Teacher training and summer camps for high school, middle and elementary schools

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John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers and
Iowa Small Business Development Centers

The University of Iowa
108 Pappajohn Business Building, Suite 160
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
Phone 319-335-1022 Fax 319-353-2445
www.iowajpec.org

Iowa State University
2501 North Loop Drive, Suite 1615
Ames, Iowa 50010
Phone 515-296-6532 Fax 515-296-6714
www.isupjcenter.org

University of Northern Iowa
Curris Business Building, Suite 264
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0130
Phone 319-273-7350 Fax 319-273-7512
www.jpec.org

North Iowa Area Community College
500 College Drive
Mason City, Iowa 50401
Phone 641-422-4111 Fax 641-422-4129
www.niacc.edu/pappajohn
Meet the Staff

Drake University
2847 University Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
Phone: 515-271-2188 Fax 515-271-2187
www.cbpa.drake.edu

Iowa Small Business Development Centers
340 Gerdin Business Building
Ames, Iowa  50011-1350
Phone 515-294-2030 Fax 515-294-6522
www.iabusnet.org

About Mr. John Pappajohn

NIACC JPEC Advisory Board