Winners announced in the 26th Annual John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition

[4/17/2026] — The 2026 John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition was held on Friday, April 10, at the University of Iowa Pappajohn Education and Events Center in Des Moines. The final presentation round consisted of 19 students from 7 institutions presenting 15 business ideas to a panel of judges.

“John Pappajohn launched this student competition 26 years ago, and entrepreneurial students from across Iowa continue to innovate and present the most amazing businesses year after year. 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 Buena Vista University, Drake University, Iowa State University, Morningside 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, each winning venture receiving $5,000.

Central Iowa Sod, founded by Ryan Ryherd, Iowa State University, is a sod wholesale/supply company offering installation and prep work for commercial and residential clients. Based out of Ankeny, but servicing the entire state, we aim to be the premier sod supplier in Central Iowa.

Stridelane, presented by co-founders Carson Lane and Nicholas Gorsich, University of Iowa, rents and sells LED pacing systems for track and field, delivering real-time visual pacing at a fraction of the cost of existing solutions. Already operating at more than 13 meets across 8 colleges, the company is scaling nationwide with rentals starting at $1,500 and system sales launching late 2026.

Work N Walter Farms is a direct-to-consumer meat snack brand founded by Kadin Walter, University of Northern Iowa. Work N Walter Farms is disrupting a commodity-driven industry through radical transparency and premium farm sourcing. We partner directly with American family farms to produce high-quality pork snack sticks and jerky, selling nationwide through e-commerce. We’re building the brand that modern consumers trust when they want to know exactly where their food comes from.

Photo (pictured L to R): Ryan Ryherd (Iowa State University), Central Iowa Sod; Carson Lane and Nicholas Gorsich (University of Iowa), Stridelane; Kadin Walter (University of Northern Iowa), Work N Walter Farms

“I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to share my story and the mission behind Work N Walter Farms. This $5,000 win isn’t just recognition…it’s fuel to keep the growth machine rolling. Every dollar will be reinvested into expanding our retail opportunities and continuing to tell the story of Iowa farmers to every consumer we can reach,” shared Kadin Walter, company founder.

Nicholas Gorsich, co-founder of Stridelane, exclaimed, “We built something we believe in, and this win is proof that others believe in it, too, and for that we are extremely grateful for the UI Pappajohn Center team and everyone else involved. We can’t wait to see where Stridelane goes from here.”

“Winning this competition means a lot to me, but more than anything, it reflects everyone who helped me get to where I am today. From my friends and family to the employees who show up and work hard on every project, to the people at the Pappajohn Center who continue to push me to be better – this is something we’ve all been a part of,” exclaimed Ryan Ryherd, founder of Central Iowa Sod.

Other finalists, each receiving $500, included Yohali Ilunga (Drake University), David Roman (NIACC), Ella Janssen (Iowa State University), Jordan Klooster (NIACC), Lily Bell (University of Northern Iowa), Jess and Enoch Fox (NIACC), Caleb Carpenter, Landry Reynoldson, and Alejandro Plaza (Morningside University), Emmanuel Akor (University of Iowa), Boluwarin Ojo (Iowa State University), Alyssa Jordan (Buena Vista University), Alayna Akers (University of Northern Iowa), and Keegan Fogarty (University of Iowa).

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.