Local Entrepreneurs Gain World-Class Business Training with the GoldmanSachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
Kian Gibson of Hampton, IA graduated from the prestigious GoldmanSachs 10,000 Small Businesses program as a member of the Spring 2025 cohort. Gibson is a jeweler at Christiansen Jewelry, a family-owned company that offers fine jewelry, gemstones and diamonds, giftware, watches, gold and silver bullion, design and repair services. Christiansen Jewelry was founded in 1960. […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to Host IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
One Day Summer Camp in Mason City, Charles City, and Forest CityThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will hold the IDEA Camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in Summer 2025 at locations in Mason City, Charles City, and Forest City.IDEA Camp helps students practice some of life’s key components: innovation, discovery, entrepreneurship, and […]
May 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Molly Watson of Home Style as the May 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Molly Watson of Home Style in Mason City, IA as the May 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Mason City entrepreneur Molly Watson has […]
NIACC Student Caleb Renner Wins Top Prize at 2025 Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) student Caleb Renner was named one of the top three winners at the John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. The 2025 John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition was held on Friday, April 25, at the University of Iowa Pappajohn Education and Events Center in Des Moines. The final presentation […]
2nd Annual Iowa Student Entrepreneur Summit
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the second annual Iowa Student Entrepreneurship Summit on April 11-12, 2025 at locations in Mason City and Clear Lake, IA. This dynamic event brings together business majors and student entrepreneurs from Iowa’s community colleges, private colleges and the University of Northern Iowa. The Student Entrepreneurship Summit included a […]
Business Transition Planning Workshop
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and the North Iowa Area SBDC will host a free virtual Business Transition Planning Workshop on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm via Zoom. Registration is required.Small business owners are invited to learn how to protect their legacy and plan for the future in this […]
Applications Now Open for 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy at the NIACC Pappajohn Center
Unique Opportunity for North Iowa High School StudentsMASON CITY, IOWA – The North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is now accepting applications for the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA), taking place from Monday, June 16 – Friday, June 20, 2025. A concluding pitch competition will be held on Monday, June 23, […]
Spring 2025 Venture School Launch Day Competition Awards
$4,000 in Prizes Awarded to Local EntrepreneursThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday March 27, 2025. The NIACC Spring 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 […]
March 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month: Lori Finch
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Lori Finch of Gabby’s Gluten Free Goods of Britt, IA as the March 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Lori Finch, founder of Gabby’s Gluten Free Goods, turned a personal challenge into a business that provides high-quality gluten-free baked goods to customers […]
North Iowa Students Compete at NIACC Everyday Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition on Thursday, March 20, 2025. 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 Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognized Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios as the February 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC were proud to announce Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios in Hampton, IA as the February 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.As the founder and CEO of Repaint Studios, Billie Asmus is revolutionizing the painting and home DIY industry with her eco-friendly invention, the Repaint Tray. […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Hosts IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center held the inaugural IDEA Camp for middle school students on Presidents’ Day, Monday February 17, 2025.28 students from 12 schools across North Iowa attended IDEA Camp where they put into practice life’s key skills: innovation, discovery, entrepreneurship, and achievement. This hands-on program guides young innovators […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to Host IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
Full Day Program on Presidents’ Day, February 17, 2025MASON CITY, IOWA – The 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 17, 2025. The camp will run 8:30am to 3:30pm. Check-in begins at 8am. The camp will […]
2025 Venture School Applications Open
Applications Now Open for Spring 2025 CohortNorth 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 overcome the chaos and […]
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins 2024 InnoVenture Iowa Challenge
Billie Asmus of Hampton wins $100,000 Top Prize at Pitch CompetitionBillie Asmus of Hampton, IA won the top prize at the 2024 InnoVenture Challenge on Thursday, December 5. The InnoVenture Challenge invites the best and brightest Iowa entrepreneurs to participate in a pitch competition where three early-stage startup companies compete on-stage for a winner-take-all $100,000 […]