2003 Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition Winners

2003 Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition front row (l to r): Jeffery Myers (MBA), Willy Nunez (MBA), Judi Eyles (Pappajohn Center), Melissa Harris (MBA), Augusto Canales (MBA), Matt Kinley (Equity Dynamics) back row (l to r): Mike Upah (Pappajohn Center), Steve Carter (Pappajohn Center), John Pappajohn (Equity Dynamics), Ben Long (Equity Dynamics), Vitaly Pecharsky (MBA), Jon von Gillern (Computer Engineering)

Seven of Iowa State's entrepreneurial minded students competed in the 4th Annual Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition on December 5, 2003 at the Des Moines Marriott. These students prepared three business plans and were given the opportunity to present their new business ideas to John Pappajohn and his investment team from Equity Dynamics, Inc. as a result of being the top three chosen from the ISU Pappajohn Center regional competition. "Getting a business plan reviewed by John Pappajohn is not something everybody can do. We were happy to be among the lucky chosen few who were given this opportunity," Vitaly Pecharsky, Jr. said of his team's experience. Teams from the other four regional Pappajohn Centers were also present at this statewide competition. Ten teams competed for the three, $5,000 cash awards from John Pappajohn.

Iowa State's regional winners were:

• Jeffrey Myers (York, PA) 2nd Year MBA "Uganda Coffee Company"
• Jon von Gillern (West Des Moines), Senior in Computer Engineering "Delphi Greek Solutions"
• Augusto Canales (Mexico) PhD Candidate in Construction Engineering & Management Laurie DeGeus (Woodbury, MN.) 2nd Year MBA
• Melissa Harris (Ames) 2nd Year MBA
• Willy Nunez (Puerto Rico) PhD Candidate in Animal Science
• Vitaly Pecharsky Jr. (Ukraine) 2nd Year MBA "Construction Lingo, Inc."

Regional winners from throughout Iowa who participated in the statewide competition included (business names are in parentheses). Three teams were selected to receive a $5000 award.

• Drake University:
• Paul Harmon (ID Nine)
• University of Iowa:
• B. Michael Keller and Bryk Lancaster (Flexon Solutions) *STATEWIDE WINNER*
• Steven Davis and Brian M. O'Leary (BIO:::NEOS) *STATEWIDE WINNER*
• Megan Wettach (The Megan Amanda Collection) *STATEWIDE WINNER*
• University of Northern Iowa:
• Henry Munoz and Charity Yesis (Univerxis.com)
• North Iowa Area Community College:
• Kelley Bahl (Portraits by Kelley)
• Heather Neagle and April Ciavarelli (Why Not?)

Although the Iowa State teams did not walk away with any of the prize money, the participants all felt the competition was a worthwhile experience in which they gained some very insightful ideas from Mr. Pappajohn and his colleagues to continue in the pursuit of opening their businesses in the future. "Mr. Pappajohn graciously volunteered his scarce time to give excellent insight to each competitor. I personally know that the feedback I received will definitely be utilized as I start and operate my business," Jon von Gillern said of his experience.