The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The Everyday Entrepreneur Program is sponsored in conjunction with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), helping to provide access to entrepreneurial education and funding for students to take their businesses from an idea to a thriving enterprise. This innovative event offers vital assistance to student entrepreneurs by helping them craft their initial business models, refine their pitching skills, and gain access to invaluable mentoring and funding opportunities. The competition was open to all currently enrolled NIACC students (including concurrent enrolled students).

Seven students competed in the semi-finals on February 23rd by submitting their business plan preparations. Five students advanced to the Finals and presented their business pitches to a panel of judges. The winners of the 2026 Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition are:

1st Place – David Roman, Onepack Systems – $1250 Prize

2nd Place – Jordan Klooster, Klooster Flaps – $750 Prize

3rd Place – Jesse Fox, Fox Brothers Urban Forestry – $500 Prize

Runner Up – Vasilyan Teodosiev, VVT Smart Space – $500 Prize

Runner Up – Jared Hummel, Paideia Liberum – $500 Prize

Honorable Mention – John T. Mhizha, Joystick Arena – $250 Prize

Honorable Mention – Zachary Perkins, SplitScreen Arcade – $250 Prize

The judging panel included: Brook Boehmler of the North Iowa Area SBDC (Mason City, IA), Matt Curtis of Wayne’s Ski & Cycle (Mason City, IA), and Caleb Renner of Renner Ag Solutions (Klemme, IA).

The Everyday Entrepreneur Program + Fund (EE) program is funded through a grant provided by the National Association of Community Colleges for Entrepreneurship (NACCE). The EE Program provides community colleges the support needed and access to entrepreneurial education best practices, curriculum, and initial funding for their students to take their businesses from ideas to thriving enterprises. The EE Program furnishes education, funding, and mentoring support to aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn more at www.nacce.com.

The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is the expert in rural business innovation and success. In partnership with North Iowa’s Small Business Development Center, together we provide tools, support, and resources to Iowa’s entrepreneurs. We counsel both new and existing local businesses, from Main Street to industry leaders. We’re growing Iowa’s entrepreneurial culture through grade school initiatives, college and community programs, and business training and development. Contact the NIACC Pappajohn Center at 641-422-4111 or pappajohn@niacc.edu. Visit the NIACC Pappajohn Center online at www.pappajohncenter.com.

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The mission of North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is to enrich lives through comprehensive educational opportunities, a commitment to learner success, community engagement, and leadership. Founded in 1918, NIACC is a nationally-recognized, two-year college located in central North Iowa, serving approximately 3,000 career and transfer students each year. Recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the nation’s leading community colleges, NIACC is where futures are found. Start your journey today at https://www.niacc.edu/apply-mkt/. Future, Found.

Photo from left: Jared Hummel, Jordan Klooster, Vasilyan Teodosiev, Caleb Renner, Matt Curtis, David Roman, Brook Boehmler, Jesse Fox