Iowa Entrepreneurship

09/03/2026

KICKING OFF FALL 2026 IDEASTORM!

We’re kicking off this year’s IdeaStorm campaign with BELL Ideation Camp. 💡

Every successful venture begins with an idea, but great ideas don’t happen by accident.

BELL Ideation Camp is an interactive workshop where University of Iowa students can discover opportunities, identify meaningful problems, and transform early concepts into stronger, more compelling ideas.

Through hands-on activities and feedback from peers and mentors, participants will learn how entrepreneurs think, generate innovative solutions, and gain practical tools to move an idea forward.

📅 Upcoming sessions:
• Monday, September 7 | 9:30–11:30 a.m.
• Monday, September 14 | 3–5 p.m.

Whether you arrive with a notebook full of ideas or no idea at all, Ideation Camp will help you take the next step.

🚨 Registration closes TODAY, Thursday, September 3 at 11:59 p.m.

Register for Ideation Camp: https://ow.ly/HIEV50ZHqrU

09/02/2026

IDEASTORM IS BACK!

Every great venture starts with an idea. This September, IdeaStorm gives University of Iowa students the opportunity to develop that idea, build confidence, and bring it to the stage.

Here’s what’s coming up:

💡 Ideation Camps | Sept. 7 & 14 - Registration Due Sept. 3 @ 11:59 p.m. CT!
🎤 IdeaStorm Auditions | Video submissions open through Sept. 17
🎬 Hollywood Nights | Sept. 21 & 22
🏆 IdeaStorm Live! Finale | Sept. 23

You don’t need a perfect idea to get started. Whether you’re still exploring possibilities or already building something, IdeaStorm is designed to help you take the next step.

📅 Save these dates and get ready to turn your idea into something worth sharing.
https://ow.ly/gUEG50ZHom6

09/01/2026

NSF I-Corps returns this fall, and Session 1 starts Monday, Sept. 28.

If you are a UI faculty member, grad student, staff member, or entrepreneur with a STEM-based or research-driven idea, this four-week workshop will help you explore its commercial potential through hands-on customer discovery and the Lean Startup approach.

Here are the details:
📅 Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12 and 26
🕓 Mondays, 4 to 6 p.m.
💻 Zoom
💸 Graduates can pursue the $50K NSF I-Corps Teams grant, plus eligibility for IEDA funding, pitch competitions, SBIR and STTR programs

Led by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, I-Corps helps you take that first critical step from lab to market. Apply here 👉 https://ow.ly/j6OG50ZFPa1
-Corps

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

A new semester is a new opportunity to take action.

Whether you’re building a business, developing an idea, or working toward a goal, success starts with taking that first step and staying determined along the way.

As we kick off the semester, take action, think boldly, and make it happen. 💡

08/27/2026

BELL Bash is back! 🎉🔔

Kick off the 2026–27 academic year with Iowa JPEC at BELL Bash, our welcome event for the University of Iowa undergraduate community!

📅 Friday, September 4
⏰ 3–5 p.m.
📍 221 E College St., Suite 301

Whether you have a startup idea, are curious about innovation, or just want to meet new people, BELL Bash is the place to be!

Come check out our new home, meet fellow students, faculty and staff, and discover all the ways you can get involved with Iowa JPEC this year.

There will be FREE food, music, activities, prizes, and MORE!

Come see the new BELL, meet your community and start your semester with us.
Everyone is welcome, reserve a spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bell-bash-tickets-1998554530400 🔔

08/25/2026

🏆 Celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship and the impact of Iowa JPEC!

The 21st John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Venture Competition brought together more than 60 teams, with 11 advancing to the final round at Iowa State University on Aug. 19.

We’re especially proud to celebrate the Iowa JPEC-affiliated ventures represented in this year’s competition, including NeuroPred, which took home 1st place and $40,000! 🥇

Led by Michal Brzus, PhD, NeuroPred is developing an AI-powered platform that predicts post-stroke outcomes directly from brain MRI. The technology has the potential to extend beyond stroke to traumatic brain injury, tumors and epilepsy.

NeuroPred previously won both the Iowa JPEC Innovation Challenge and AI Challenge, making this latest achievement an exciting milestone as the company continues toward commercialization.

Congratulations to NeuroPred, the other award recipients and all 11 finalists for showcasing the incredible ideas being built across Iowa! 🚀

We’re proud to support the entrepreneurs turning innovative ideas into ventures and building what’s next in Iowa.

Learn more about this year’s winners: https://ow.ly/trWY50ZEVVS

08/22/2026

Welcome back, Hawkeyes! 🎓🐤

As you start a new semester, don’t forget to check out everything Iowa JPEC has to offer. Whether you’re curious about entrepreneurship, have a big idea, want to build your skills, or are ready to launch something of your own, there’s a place for you at Iowa JPEC.

LEARN MORE: https://iowajpec.org/

08/18/2026

AI is moving from an idea to action for 10 Iowa businesses.

The latest Iowa JPEC AI Services Challenge awarded a combined $277,500 in AI services to 10 Iowa businesses working to explore how AI can help address real-world challenges and improve their organizations.

That brings the total value of AWS AI services awarded through the initiative’s three events to an impressive $860,500.

From health care and education to accounting, accessibility, retail and more, participating businesses are exploring practical ways to put AI to work.

The AI Services Challenge will return in Fall 2026.

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4zr1oRc

08/12/2026

We’re less than a month away!

On Sept. 11, join us at The Englert Theatre for a special evening celebrating 30 years of Iowa JPEC and honoring the people who have made an impact on our entrepreneurial community.

We’d love to see you there! RSVP here: https://ow.ly/rJTc50Zybcp