Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute 2025 Recap
On August 10th, a group of nine Iowa State University students traveled to Okoboji and joined 22 others from across the state to participate in the 19th Annual Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI). The event brought together students from various institutions, including Buena Vista University, Dordt University, Iowa Lakes Community College, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa.
From L to R: Judi Eyles, Madison Green, Hannah Albrecht, Justin Moran, Amanda Beckett, Zackry Brannen, Jesse Williams, Trace Gau, Boluwarin Ojo, Ashraf Shaikh Mohammed, and Molly Freese.
Representing Iowa State were Hannah Albrecht (junior in industrial engineering); Amanda Beckett (sophomore in psychology); Zackry Brannen (junior in marketing); Madison Green (junior in supply chain management and entrepreneurship); Justin Moran (junior in computer science); Boluwarin Ojo (junior in industrial design); Ashraf Shaikh Mohammed (senior in data science); Trace Gau (senior in mechanical engineering); Jesse Williams (junior in software engineering).
Throughout the week, the students focused on developing their business ventures while building connections with industry leaders and peers. Whether they arrived with just a business idea or an established venture, each participant had the chance to engage in “speed coaching” sessions, where they received personalized feedback from business owners, community leaders, and OEI alumni.
Iowa State University OEI award winners from L to R: Madison Green, Amanda Beckett, and Boluwarin Ojo.
The event culminated in a pitch competition on the final day, where students presented their businesses to panels of judges. The top two students in each category—new idea, pre-launch, and revenue-producing—were recognized with awards and a $500 prize during the closing reception. From Iowa State, Amanda Beckett received first place in the new idea category, and Boluwarin Ojo received second place in the pre-launch category. Additionally, Madison Green received an honorable mention ($150) in the revenue-producing category.
The recurring themes of the week were connection and community, with speakers emphasizing the importance of networking and building relationships. Students were encouraged to leverage their skills and resources to contribute to their communities, reinforcing the idea that entrepreneurship is not just about business success, but also about making a positive impact.
