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2022 Demo Day
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Since 1996, we’ve been helping entrepreneurs across the state succeed, including Iowa State students, faculty, and alumni along with Iowan innovators and business owners. From our entrepreneurship-focused programs like CYstarters, to friendly competitions like our College-by-College Pitch Off, to resources like our ISU Startup Factory incubator and more, here you can find tools and support to help you engage your inner innovator.

And since we’re part of Iowa State’s Start Something Network, you can be confident that you’ll always have access to the latest in innovation opportunities.
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NEWS

Events

July 28, 2022
2022 CYstarters Demo Day

The 11–week intensive CYstarters program gives young entrepreneurs the time, funding, network of mentors, and skill-set development to start something while in college. As our seventh CYstarters summer accelerator program comes to a close, it’s time to put these student entrepreneurs front and center! Listen and learn more about each…

The 11–week intensive CYstarters program gives young entrepreneurs the time, funding, network of mentors, and skill-set development to start something while in college. As our seventh CYstarters summer accelerator program comes to a close, it’s time to put these student entrepreneurs front and center! Listen and learn more about each…

The 11–week intensive CYstarters program gives young entrepreneurs the time, funding, network of mentors, and skill-set development to start something while in college. As our seventh CYstarters summer accelerator program comes to a close, it’s time to put these student entrepreneurs front and center! Listen and learn more about each…

Event Details
September 10, 2022
Smart Start Workshop

SMART START WORKSHOP Saturday, September 10, 2022 Location: TBD The ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and the Ames Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a “crash course” workshop for anyone who has ever considered starting a business.  You will learn various topics such as insurance,…

SMART START WORKSHOP Saturday, September 10, 2022 Location: TBD The ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and the Ames Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a “crash course” workshop for anyone who has ever considered starting a business.  You will learn various topics such as insurance,…

SMART START WORKSHOP Saturday, September 10, 2022 Location: TBD The ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and the Ames Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a “crash course” workshop for anyone who has ever considered starting a business.  You will learn various topics such as insurance,…

Event Details
September 30, 2022
ISU Innovation Prize

One Weekend, 3 Bold Challenges, An Abundance of Rewards Friday, September 30 – Saturday, October 1, 2022 The ISU Innovation Prize is an incentive competition at Iowa State University on the weekend of September 30 – October 1, 2022.  The Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and Start Something –…

One Weekend, 3 Bold Challenges, An Abundance of Rewards Friday, September 30 – Saturday, October 1, 2022 The ISU Innovation Prize is an incentive competition at Iowa State University on the weekend of September 30 – October 1, 2022.  The Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and Start Something –…

One Weekend, 3 Bold Challenges, An Abundance of Rewards Friday, September 30 – Saturday, October 1, 2022 The ISU Innovation Prize is an incentive competition at Iowa State University on the weekend of September 30 – October 1, 2022.  The Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and Start Something –…

Event Details
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Entrebold News

June 10, 2022
CYstarters Spotlight Story: Formed Grips

This story is part of a series featuring each of the fourteen startups in the CYstarters 2022 summer cohort. Each student has the opportunity to focus on their startup or business idea while receiving $6,500 or up to $13,000 (per team), along with mentorship, accountability, and educational sessions on how…

This story is part of a series featuring each of the fourteen startups in the CYstarters 2022 summer cohort. Each student has the opportunity to focus on their startup or business idea while receiving $6,500 or up to $13,000 (per team), along with mentorship, accountability, and educational sessions on how…

This story is part of a series featuring each of the fourteen startups in the CYstarters 2022 summer cohort. Each student has the opportunity to focus on their startup or business idea while receiving $6,500 or up to $13,000 (per team), along with mentorship, accountability, and educational sessions on how…

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June 10, 2022
CYstarters Spotlight Story: Tiny Joy Creations

This story is part of a series featuring each of the fourteen startups in the CYstarters 2022 summer cohort. Each student has the opportunity to focus on their startup or business idea while receiving $6,500 or up to $13,000 (per team), along with mentorship, accountability, and educational sessions on how…

This story is part of a series featuring each of the fourteen startups in the CYstarters 2022 summer cohort. Each student has the opportunity to focus on their startup or business idea while receiving $6,500 or up to $13,000 (per team), along with mentorship, accountability, and educational sessions on how…

This story is part of a series featuring each of the fourteen startups in the CYstarters 2022 summer cohort. Each student has the opportunity to focus on their startup or business idea while receiving $6,500 or up to $13,000 (per team), along with mentorship, accountability, and educational sessions on how…

Read More
June 10, 2022
CYstarters Spotlight Story: Stratus Throws

This story is part of a series featuring each of the fourteen startups in the CYstarters 2022 summer cohort. Each student has the opportunity to focus on their startup or business idea while receiving $6,500 or up to $13,000 (per team), along with mentorship, accountability, and educational sessions on how…

This story is part of a series featuring each of the fourteen startups in the CYstarters 2022 summer cohort. Each student has the opportunity to focus on their startup or business idea while receiving $6,500 or up to $13,000 (per team), along with mentorship, accountability, and educational sessions on how…

This story is part of a series featuring each of the fourteen startups in the CYstarters 2022 summer cohort. Each student has the opportunity to focus on their startup or business idea while receiving $6,500 or up to $13,000 (per team), along with mentorship, accountability, and educational sessions on how…

Read More

They Don't Want You To Know This...

But entrepreneurs are some of the most fascinating people. But why do we find them so fascinating?

  • Entrepreneurs Start something + take lead
  • Entrepreneurs Vision + create where they want to be + are open to the possibilities
  • Entrepreneurs Pursue their passions and don’t fall for normalcy.
  • Entrepreneurs Live a self-directed life + are committed to not give up
  • Entrepreneurs Succeed or fail fast—But one thing is for certain, they’re always learning

So whether you come from an entrepreneurial background or maybe you just learned how to spell entre-pre-neur,

We believe that an adventure in entrepreneurship is worth starting while at Iowa State.

Start Your Entrebold Adventure At ISU

Grab the Starter Kit

Get to Know the Ames Entrepreneurial Landscape

It’s an exciting time for entrepreneurship in Ames…

Now, more than ever the resources, the minds + the ability to overcome, grow + be bold is apparent.

And guess what?

We would love to help you in anyway we can — whether it’s a connection within Iowa State, a live-case study for your business led by a student team, business counseling and training, or locating space within ISU Research Park.

Help us get to know you + where you fit in the entrepreneurial landscape in Ames!

Join the EntreBold Network
Maybe you’re an aspiring business owner who wants help with a business plan. Maybe you’re a faculty member who wants to learn how to bring out your innovative side. Maybe you’re a student who’s not even sure what entrepreneurship is all about, but you’re intrigued. Whatever stage you’re in, at the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, we’re here to help. Contact Us

You can email us at info@isupjcenter.org. Or call us at 515-296-6532. Or see us during office hours.

Because if you can dream it, we can help you do it. Even if you’re not quite sure what “it” is just yet.

 

Here to help you get started.

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers offer a comprehensive entrepreneurial program for learning.  My goal in establishing the centers is to educate and train adults and students to give them confidence…so that they can become successful entrepreneurs.

John Pappajohn Philanthropist & Founder and CEO of Equity Dynamics, Inc

The Pappajohn Center has been there for me and my business as I have gone through several pivots over the last two years. From teaching calligraphy workshops to now running a full-service creative design studio, I have found incredible mentorship, funding, and even collaboration opportunities working with their lovely staff as my business has grown and changed. They are always there to celebrate the successes, or help you work through all of the challenges that come along with running a startup!

Lauren Gifford Founder, Letter with Lauren Liz

To date, CYstarters has been the most pivotal move I’ve made in my professional life. My greatest passions, the majority of skillset, and even my current employment are ALL thanks to the people at the Pappajohn Center.

If you or someone you know is or will be attending ISU, CYstarters is a can’t-miss.

Jake Oswald Director of Marketing + Intrapreneurship
The atmosphere of entrepreneurial spirit is alive within the talent and resources of the ISU Pappajohn Center. The team at the ISU Pappajohn Center is always eager and very capable of offering assistance, especially during the early stages of new businesses.  We have also had the pleasure of working with CyBIZ Lab that is based at the Center, which has been a great resource of talented students for market research and business planning.  The connection with Iowa State University students, for internships, as well as faculty that support the entrepreneurial spirit of new businesses, isa great asset for any business that establishes their initial roots here.
Kevin Maher Founder of GlobalVetLink & VetMeasure
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Entrepreneurship. All Rights Reserved.