Winners announced in the 24th Annual John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
Three top prize winners from L to R: Davan Crooker (UNI), Catherine Dow (NIACC), Joy Clark (Drake).
The 2024 John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition was held on Monday, April 22, at the University of Iowa Pappajohn Education and Events Center in Des Moines. The final presentation round consisted of 17 students presenting 15 business ideas to a panel of judges.
“It was a bittersweet experience to host this year’s competition just one year after John Pappajohn’s passing. However, it is special to be able to carry on the tradition that John started 24 years ago. The competition brings student entrepreneurs together from across the state. They enjoy the opportunity to connect and support each other. To make it to the finals of this competition is a great achievement for these young entrepreneurs” commented Judi Eyles, director of the Iowa State University John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.
Student entrepreneurs entering the competition came from Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa. The following three businesses emerged as winners of this year’s competition, with each winning venture receiving $5,000.
Catherine Dow, founder of Instatat, Northern Iowa Area Community College. Instatat revolutionizes the tattoo industry with a user-friendly platform for semi-permanent tattoos. Using advanced AI technology and premium materials like GPE, it creates vibrant, long-lasting designs without the lifelong commitment of traditional tattoos. This blend of AI and premium ingredients enables easy customization, empowering individuals to express their authentic identities effortlessly. Catherine Dow, cjdow@my.niacc.edu
Davan Crooker, founder of DC Outdoor Sports, University of Northern Iowa. DC Outdoor Services is a landscaping construction company whose mission is to provide high-quality landscaping services with the utmost integrity. They offer patio installations, retaining wall installations, as well as general landscaping. Equipped to do projects of any size, DC Outdoor Services is your go-to landscaping provider. Davan Crooker, crookerd@uni.edu
Joy Clark, founder of Regain Orthotics, Drake University. Regain Orthotics offers low-cost functional prosthetics for above-elbow limb loss. The A.R.M. device is sold as a kit, enabling on-site fabrication without a skilled prosthetist. Users can customize, maintain, and repair it with common materials. At less than 1% of the cost of conventional prosthetics, its practical design makes it accessible worldwide, from war-torn Gaza to US trauma centers. Joy Clark, joy.clark@drake.edu
“This competition allowed me to learn from my fellow competitors and create lasting connections. The passion exhibited by my fellow students for their ideas and the potential they carry was infectious and further brought out the passion I have for both my project, as well as the profession of Occupational Therapy,” said Joy Clark of Regain Orthotics. “I plan to use this money to help balance my roles as a full-time wife, mother, and student as I pursue this business and research development for my prototype over the next 2 years.”
Finalists from L to R: Jacob Kautman, Davan Crooker, Brady Stein, Collin Gauck, Josh Cohen, Bronson Buitenwerf, Caleb Renner, Elic Fjetland, Alex Sperry, Nathan Crooker, Henry Shires, Lauren Rana, Ashwin Dervish, Hala Deng, Jordan Walters, Catherine Dow, Joy Clark, Michael Brzus.
Other finalists, each receiving $500, included Lauren Rana (Drake University), Hala Deng (Iowa State University), Michael Brzus (University of Iowa), Caleb Renner (NIACC), Josh Cohen (University of Iowa), Alex Sperry (Drake University), Jordan Walters (University of Iowa), Bronson Buitenwerf (University of Northern Iowa), Nathan Crooker (University of Northern Iowa), Collin Gauck (Iowa State University), Jacob Kautman (Iowa State University), Henry Shires (Iowa State University), Ashwin Dervish (University of Iowa), and Elic Fjetland (NIACC).
The competition is a collaborative effort among the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers located at Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa.
