ISU’s Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship is committed to helping students, businesses + entrepreneurs to expand their skills & pursue their ideas💡
We’re proud to announce the seven Iowa State students selected for the 20th Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI) this summer!
OEI is a highly competitive, week-long immersive experience that brings together Iowa college students, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to build leadership and startup skills.
Please join us in congratulating the following students on this incredible achievement:
Maya Manal France, a junior studying data science and technical communication (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)
Quinn Mitchell, a junior studying finance (Ivy College of Business)
Aspen Howard, a junior studying entrepreneurship (Ivy College of Business)
Alana Corwin, a senior studying entrepreneurship (Ivy College of Business)
Andrew Walton, a senior studying entrepreneurship, marketing and finance (Ivy College of Business)
Grace Hartwig, a junior studying marketing (Ivy College of Business)
Ella Janssen, a senior studying graphic design (College of Design)
Kade Wilson, a sophomore studying aerospace engineering (College of Engineering)
These Cyclones will have the opportunity to meet peers across the state, gain real-world entrepreneurial experience, and build lasting network connections. We can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make!
One more week until Startup Factory Demo Day!
Come out May 19 from 5:30–8:00 PM at the ISU Research Park to support Cohort 19 as they present their startups. Stay for a fun networking reception with drinks, appetizers, and great connections!
Register at the link in our bio!
We are excited to announce our newest cohort of CYstarters!
This group of 17 students from all across campus will dive into entrepreneurship this summer. Each of these students brings their own academic background and bold aspirations, but they share one thing in common: a passion for building and growing their own businesses.
Help us welcome CYstarters Cohort 11– we can’t wait to see how you grow this summer!
Read our full article in the link in our bio!
Startup Factory Demo Day is coming up!
Join us on May 19 from 5:30–8:00 PM at the ISU Research Park to watch Cohort 19 showcase their ventures and celebrate their achievements. Stick around afterward for networking, drinks, and appetizers!
Register at the link in our bio!
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2026 Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurship Venture Competition!
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.
Learn and read more on our website!
One more month until Startup Factory Demo Day!
Join us May 19 from 5:30–8:00 PM at the ISU Research Park to hear Cohort 19 pitch their ventures and celebrate their success. Stay after for networking, drinks, and appetizers!
Register at the link in our bio!
We are proud to congratulate the newest inductees of Sigma Nu Tau at Iowa State University! As the 41st chapter, it’s an honor to welcome such an accomplished and driven group of individuals. Your hard work and dedication have earned this achievement, and we look forward to seeing all you accomplish. Congratulations to each of you!
Calling all Startup Factory alumni, founders, mentors, and supporters, come cheer on these founders and celebrate their success! Join us for Startup Factory Demo Day and hear from Cohort 19 as they showcase their ventures! After presentations, stick around for a networking reception with drinks & appetizers to connect and learn more about Startup Factory, G2M, and VMS.
Register at the link in our bio!
Turn your ideas into something real! Add an entrepreneurship minor at Iowa State University and gain the skills to innovate, create, and lead. This minor is open to all students with no prerequisites; it requires only 3 unique credits and lets you choose from 100+ elective courses, so you can tailor it to your interests. Plus, it’s ranked Top 10 in the nation by The Princeton Review, making it a powerful addition to any major.
Check it out at the link in our bio!
Join us for “Redefining AI and Tech IP: How the UK Supreme Court’s AI
Ruling Impacts US Businesses”, an ISBA presentation available in-person
at the ISBA Building or via live webinar. Bruce Dearling of Hepworth Browne
will discuss the landmark UK Supreme Court decision in the Emotional
Perception AI case and its implications for patentability, AI, and technology
innovation. Learn how this ruling affects patent protection, strategies for
international rights, and the assessment of inventions and obviousness in
AI and computing technologies. This session is essential for US businesses
navigating intellectual property in fast-evolving tech markets.
Register at the Iowa State Bar Association website
