February 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Jesus Juarez of Reserve 173 Bar & Grill as the February 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Jesus Juarez of Reserve 173 Bar & Grill in Clear Lake, IA as the February 2026 Entrepreneur of the […]
North Iowa Students Compete at NIACC Everyday Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition
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 […]
NIACC JPEC Hosts IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center held IDEA Camp for middle school students on Presidents’ Day, Monday February 16, 2026. IDEA Camp is for creative and ambitious middle school students who are eager to explore entrepreneurship, develop creative problem-solving skills, and build confidence in their ability to create and innovate. No […]
IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to Host IDEA Camp for Middle School StudentsFull Day Program on Presidents’ Day, February 16, 2026The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will hold the IDEA Camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students on Presidents’ Day, Monday February 16, 2026. The camp will run 8:30am to 3:30pm. […]
Venture School Helps North Iowa Entrepreneurs Succeed
Applications Now Open for Spring 2026 CohortMASON CITY, Iowa – North Iowa entrepreneurs are achieving success with the assistance of the NIACC Pappajohn Center cohort of the University of Iowa Venture School. Venture School is the premiere business training program in Iowa, emphasizing real-world entrepreneurship and innovation based on a leading-edge curriculum. Participants learn to […]
December 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Megan Dennis of Still Waters Day & Scalp Spa as the December 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Megan Dennis of Still Waters Day & Scalp Spa in Clear Lake, IA as the December 2025 Entrepreneur […]
JPEC November 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Alisha Johnson of A. Johnson Trucking as the November 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Alisha Johnson of A. Johnson Trucking in Northwood, IA as the November 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Alisha […]
North Iowa Entrepreneurs Compete in Fall 2025 Venture School Launch Day Competition
$3,500 in Prizes Awarded to Local EntrepreneursThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday October 22, 2025. The NIACC Fall 2025 Venture School cohort competed in person after attending classes virtually for 7 weeks of training, customer discovery, and developing their business model alongside local […]
North Iowa Entrepreneur Billie Asmus Lands Deal on ABC’s Shark Tank
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are proud to celebrate Billie Asmus of Hampton, founder and CEO of Repaint Studios, for securing an investment deal on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank.Billie appeared on the October 8, 2025 episode, where she presented her company’s flagship product, The Repaint […]
October 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Steve Strasheim of Twisted River Farm as the October 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Steve Strasheim of Twisted River Farm in Mitchell, IA as the October 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Steve […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Christy Marchand of Altus CXO as the September 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Christy Marchand, co-founder of Altus CXO in North Iowa, as the September 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Christy Marchand built her career in corporate finance and executive leadership, but she always carried an entrepreneurial drive. “I’ve always been passionate about helping […]
August 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognized Jared Doerfler of Hanna Golf as the August 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC announced Jared Doerfler of Hanna Golf in Mason City, IA as the August 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Jared Doerfler has built a […]
Winners announced in the 20th Annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins 3rd Prize of $15,000Jared Doerfler of Mason City, IA won Third Place at the 20th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition on Friday, August 22, 2025. Out of more than 35 submissions, 12 teams advanced to the final presentation round, with winners announced during a luncheon at Iowa State University […]
July 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Mike & Angie Lester of Winan Creek Barn as the July 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Mike and Angie Lester of Winan Creek Barn in Clear Lake, IA as the July 2025 Entrepreneurs of the […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Hosts Youth Entrepreneurial Academy
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA) on June 16th-20th. YEA is a free one-week academic camp sponsored by the John K. and Luise V. Hanson Foundation, and is offered annually to all North Iowa high school students interested in entrepreneurship. Each participant receives a $500 NIACC scholarship sponsored […]