UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

09/01/2026

Thirty years ago, John Pappajohn set out to make Iowa one of the most entrepreneurial states in the country. He invested his own money to launch five John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers at Iowa colleges and universities, including the University of Northern Iowa. This year, we're celebrating what that vision built.

Since 1996, thousands of students and entrepreneurs have worked with the JPECs to build businesses and chase their ideas.

It's an honor to serve Iowa entrepreneurs every day and carry forward John's spirit: supporting the people behind the businesses, their passion and their dreams.

Here's to 30 years of entrepreneurship, innovation and impact!

08/28/2026

One of our favorite events of the ENTIRE year has officially come and gone: JPEC Connect!

Each summer, we send a letter to incoming freshmen and transfer students sharing a scholarship opportunity and introducing them to the entrepreneurial resources and opportunities available at UNI. From there, we invite them to join us for JPEC Connect, an evening designed to welcome them into our community during the first week of the school year.

Over the years, this event has created friendships, sparked new ideas, and introduced so many students to a special and unique part of campus.

One of the best parts? It isn’t just our incoming students who leave inspired. Our current students show up, lend a helping hand, share their creative ideas, and help make the night what it is. It truly takes our entire JPEC community to bring this event to life!

On Wednesday, we competed, laughed, connected, and celebrated together. And if the energy in the room is any indication, we’re in for a pretty incredible year.

Here’s to another year of inspiring, empowering, and equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs! 🐾

08/26/2026

POV you require everyone to wear the same shirt to the event..

08/24/2026

08/20/2026

Most of the work Amy does is confidential, but when we have the opportunity to share the success and impact being made, we take it!

Check out the story below to hear how Joyful Java, a coffee shop in D**e, transformed their dream into a reality with the help of Amy Dutton, SBDC Regional Director.

UNI’s SBDC serves a nine-county region of Northeast Iowa, including Butler, Bremer, Buchanan, Black Hawk, Chickasaw, Fayette, Grundy, Howard and Tama counties. It is part of a statewide network of 15 centers providing high-quality support to small businesses across Iowa.

Want to learn more about the SBDC and the resources available to small businesses? Check out iowasbdc.org.

https://insideuni.uni.edu/small-town-big-impact-joyful-java-thrives-help-uni-small-business-development-center

SBDC Client Success StoryIn downtown D**e, Iowa, a small town just off US-20, there just wasn't a place for people to gather. That is, until Angie Koop and Laura Dove decided to build one.The two had been friends for years, raising kids together, camping together, and always finding their way to a c...

08/18/2026

Our favorite event of the summer, the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI), has officially wrapped up!

Our students are coming back to UNI with a fresh perspective, new connections and plenty of motivation to keep working on their businesses throughout the school year.

This year was a special one as OEI celebrated 20 years! Before the week kicked off, we had the chance to celebrate with OEI alumni during a homecoming weekend. It was a blast to reconnect with alumni and hear about the impact OEI has had on their lives. Lots of hugs, lots of laughs and lots of memories were made!

On Sunday, we welcomed this year’s OEI class of students. Six UNI students got to experience the week everyone talks about for themselves: Alayna Akers, Conner Trunnell, Max Orchard, Aaron Brost, Mitzully Morales and Adrian Benson.

Throughout the week, our students connected with mentors, met local business leaders, pitched their business ideas, competed for the chance to win big and made friendships with other students who share their passion for entrepreneurship.

Congratulations to Mitzully Morales on being selected as a $500 winner in the New Idea Category!

We’re so proud of this group and can’t wait to see what they do next!

Until next summer, Okoboji. 💜

08/11/2026

Celebrating 20 years of the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute!

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect our students with an experience that challenges them to learn, grow, and think entrepreneurially alongside peers and leaders from across the state.

Here's to 20 more.

08/05/2026

How many laps around the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center do you think it will take to make a mile? 👀🚶‍♀️

08/04/2026

It’s time to pull out the Google Calendar.

Here’s what's happening at the JPEC in August!