By Samantha Dilocker, ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship
To date, CYstarters has helped 100 Iowa State University students and graduates start nearly 80 businesses since the program began in 2016.
The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship is thrilled to introduce the 17 student entrepreneurs that make up the 14 new student-developed businesses that were selected to participate in CYstarters during summer 2022. The 11–week intensive program gives young entrepreneurs the time, funding, network of mentors, and skillset development to start something while in college.
Tiny Joy Creations – Miranda Keith
Tiny Joy Creations is a business and storefront that aims to serve the Ames community by offering a variety of locally made products, experiences, and services to bring joy to every area of life in an inclusive, fun environment. Miranda is a recent graduate of Iowa State University, where she majored in human development and family studies with a minor in entrepreneurship.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
HUSTLR.ESSENCE – D’essence Morris
HUSTLR.ESSENCE provides creative individuals with unique and expressive high-quality fashion products that they feel comfortable and confident in. D’essence is a recent graduate of Iowa State University, where she received a bachelors in apparel merchandising and design.
Spock’s Sanctuary – Cameryn Schafer & Cole Reiman
Spock’s Sanctuary creates a brighter future for exotic pets through rehoming and public education. Cole graduated from Iowa State University with bachelors in agriculture education and a teaching certificate, and Cameryn is a senior majoring in animal ecology and dietetics with minors in classical studies and entrepreneurship.
Northwest Iowa Quality Meats – Jake Hanson
Northwest Iowa Quality Meats brings meat from local producers to the plates of consumers. Jake is a senior majoring in agricultural studies.
Ekern Designs is a shop that creates unique drinkware to incorporate community through coffee dates, everyday life, and perfect gifts for people. Miranda is a senior majoring in biochemistry.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Simply Sámone – Jassma’ray Johnson
Simply Sámone LLC. creates handmade lip gloss and balms using healthy products for any and all people in order to make people feel unapologetically beautiful in their own skin while encouraging, inspiring, and uplifting. Jassma’ray is a senior double majoring in psychology and communications.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Buoyclub is a clothing brand made to uplift people’s spirit through cool messages and unique designs. Julio is a senior majoring in industrial design.
Campus Town Trading – Collin Gauck & Jacob Kautman
Campus Town Trading offers financial education and assistance to anyone looking to begin investing/trading in the financial markets. Collin is a sophomore majoring in finance and Jacob is a sophomore majoring in history.
Formed Grips offers customizable hard rubber hand grips to attach to nearly any handheld tool to reduce hand injuries. Parker is a sophomore majoring in finance and entrepreneurship.
Kreative BigWin – Armaan Gupta
Kreative BigWin allows customers to accelerate sales and marketing efforts with an omni-channel drip platform that automates various types of communication between businesses and customers. Armaan (Guppy) is a sophomore majoring in management information systems.
Stratus Throws provides throwing shoes made by throwers, for throwers. Micah is a senior majoring in entrepreneurship.
Casmium – Pradyumna Dahal & Henry Shires
Casmium provides sports analytics solutions for various baseball teams so they can utilize data to improve team performance and strategy. P.D. is a sophomore majoring in computer science and math with a minor in entrepreneurship, and Henry is a sophomore majoring in computer engineering with a minor in entrepreneurship.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Safety Scan is a software company that uses a variety of modern technology including, machine learning and computer vision, paired with mobile and desktop applications to protect workers’ lives. Phillip is a junior majoring in aerospace engineering.
BitBasement is a collection of development tools for game developers to create games more easily. Hayden is a senior majoring in software engineering.
