innovate link

Entrepreneurship is
innovation in action.

 Get your startup off the ground. Connect with real-world entrepreneurs. Take business training courses. Whatever you want when it comes to entrepreneurship, the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship is here for you.

Get Involved

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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Here to help you get started.

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.

Events

May 20, 2025
ISU Startup Factory Demo Day

Calling all Startup Factory alumni, founders, mentors, and startup community supporters! Join us on Tuesday, May 20, to hear from ISU Startup Factory Cohort 17 for an exciting Demo Day event! Following founder presentations, stick around for a fun networking reception with drinks and appetizers to connect with founders and…

Calling all Startup Factory alumni, founders, mentors, and startup community supporters! Join us on Tuesday, May 20, to hear from ISU Startup Factory Cohort 17 for an exciting Demo Day event! Following founder presentations, stick around for a fun networking reception with drinks and appetizers to connect with founders and…

Calling all Startup Factory alumni, founders, mentors, and startup community supporters! Join us on Tuesday, May 20, to hear from ISU Startup Factory Cohort 17 for an exciting Demo Day event! Following founder presentations, stick around for a fun networking reception with drinks and appetizers to connect with founders and…

Details >
July 8, 2025
USASBE Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium

USASBE Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium Transforming the Heartland Rural Retail, Manufacturing, and Tourism Innovation in the Midwest July 8-11, 2025 | Ames, IA Hosted by Iowa State University The US Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium promotes an integrated approach to better understanding entrepreneurship in rural areas and small…

USASBE Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium Transforming the Heartland Rural Retail, Manufacturing, and Tourism Innovation in the Midwest July 8-11, 2025 | Ames, IA Hosted by Iowa State University The US Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium promotes an integrated approach to better understanding entrepreneurship in rural areas and small…

USASBE Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium Transforming the Heartland Rural Retail, Manufacturing, and Tourism Innovation in the Midwest July 8-11, 2025 | Ames, IA Hosted by Iowa State University The US Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium promotes an integrated approach to better understanding entrepreneurship in rural areas and small…

Details >
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News

April 23, 2025
Meet the 2025 CYstarters (Cohort 10)

CYstarters, since launching in 2016, has helped 151 students and graduates start 121 companies, with over 80% of those businesses still thriving or contributing to the startup ecosystem. This year, the program proudly welcomes Cohort 10, a group of 16 driven students from diverse majors across Iowa State University. Each…

CYstarters, since launching in 2016, has helped 151 students and graduates start 121 companies, with over 80% of those businesses still thriving or contributing to the startup ecosystem. This year, the program proudly welcomes Cohort 10, a group of 16 driven students from diverse majors across Iowa State University. Each…

CYstarters, since launching in 2016, has helped 151 students and graduates start 121 companies, with over 80% of those businesses still thriving or contributing to the startup ecosystem. This year, the program proudly welcomes Cohort 10, a group of 16 driven students from diverse majors across Iowa State University. Each…

Details >
April 10, 2025
ISU Startup Factory: Food for Thought – Issue 2

Translating Science into Business By: Donna Ramaeker-Zahn (ISU Startup Factory Entrepreneur-In-Residence) Scientists are uniquely suited for entrepreneurship. However, there are several roadblocks. Fortunately, with a rich history of ground-breaking research that improves lives, ISU has developed a companion focus on entrepreneurship that helps with this transition. Building a scalable business…

Translating Science into Business By: Donna Ramaeker-Zahn (ISU Startup Factory Entrepreneur-In-Residence) Scientists are uniquely suited for entrepreneurship. However, there are several roadblocks. Fortunately, with a rich history of ground-breaking research that improves lives, ISU has developed a companion focus on entrepreneurship that helps with this transition. Building a scalable business…

Translating Science into Business By: Donna Ramaeker-Zahn (ISU Startup Factory Entrepreneur-In-Residence) Scientists are uniquely suited for entrepreneurship. However, there are several roadblocks. Fortunately, with a rich history of ground-breaking research that improves lives, ISU has developed a companion focus on entrepreneurship that helps with this transition. Building a scalable business…

Details >
April 7, 2025
A Legacy of Vision, Support, and Commitment: Celebrating Dean David Spalding’s Impact on CyBIZ Lab

A Legacy of Vision, Support, and Commitment: Celebrating Dean David Spalding’s Impact on CyBIZ Lab As Dean David Spalding prepares to retire after an outstanding tenure as Iowa State University’s longest-serving dean of the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, we reflect on his immense contributions to the Ivy…

A Legacy of Vision, Support, and Commitment: Celebrating Dean David Spalding’s Impact on CyBIZ Lab As Dean David Spalding prepares to retire after an outstanding tenure as Iowa State University’s longest-serving dean of the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, we reflect on his immense contributions to the Ivy…

A Legacy of Vision, Support, and Commitment: Celebrating Dean David Spalding’s Impact on CyBIZ Lab As Dean David Spalding prepares to retire after an outstanding tenure as Iowa State University’s longest-serving dean of the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, we reflect on his immense contributions to the Ivy…

Details >
All News >

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

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.