NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Entrepreneurial education, business coaching resources and community economic development tools for North Iowa for startup, growth and owner transitions.

NIACC does not discriminate in employment or education. See http://www.niacc.edu/about/non-discrimination-statement/ for additional information.”

How you grow matters just as much as how fast you grow. 💡 This week's Quick Take features insight from John Rosenfeld, S...
06/17/2026

How you grow matters just as much as how fast you grow. 💡 This week's Quick Take features insight from John Rosenfeld, Small Business Counselor. Your team can make or break your business. When you have a great team of employees, colleagues, and partners around you, show your appreciation! Simple gestures such as verbal praise or small acts of kindness can make a big impact. How do you recognize wins (big or small!) on your team?

🎉 Zack Smith of The Stock Cropper in Lake Mills wins Second Place at the 2026 EntreFEST Pitch Competition 🎉Zack Smith's ...
06/16/2026

🎉 Zack Smith of The Stock Cropper in Lake Mills wins Second Place at the 2026 EntreFEST Pitch Competition 🎉

Zack Smith's ClusterCluck Drive is transforming local food systems through ingenuity and real-world tools, and was awarded the Second Place prize of $3,500 at the EntreFEST Pitch Competition, presented by Hy-Vee. The competition brought together community leaders, founders, investors, and supporters In Iowa City to hear from five entrepreneurs as they competed for $15,000 in prize funding. EntreFEST is a two-day conference celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation where professionals at every level can come together, share ideas, and own their success.

Congratulations Zack! Read more at https://www.pappajohncenter.com/news/north-iowa-entrepreneur-wins-second-place-at-the-2026-entrefest-pitch-competition/

🎉 Cait Dillavou of Stone Heritage Jewelry in Clear Lake wins Third Place at the statewide 2026 Venture School Launch Day...
06/15/2026

🎉 Cait Dillavou of Stone Heritage Jewelry in Clear Lake wins Third Place at the statewide 2026 Venture School Launch Day Competition 🎉

Ten businesses from across Iowa were selected to compete at the Venture School Launch Day Competition at EntreFest, and five teams competed in the final round. We're proud to celebrate Cait as the Third Place winner and recipient of the $6,000 prize. Cait is a graduate of the NIACC Pappajohn Center cohort of Venture School and the inaugural cohort of Venture Launch Lab. Congratulations Cait!

Read more at https://www.pappajohncenter.com/news/north-iowa-entrepreneur-wins-third-place-at-the-2026-venture-school-statewide-launch-day-competition/

So excited to see Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios as the Friday Morning Keynote speaker at EntreFest 2026! Billie spoke ...
06/12/2026

So excited to see Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios as the Friday Morning Keynote speaker at EntreFest 2026! Billie spoke eloquently about her entrepreneurial journey, the grind of transforming an invention into a business, and the importance of taking care of your mental health when immersed in the high-pressure startup world. Billie started her entrepreneurial journey in the 2021 NIACC Pappajohn Center cohort of Venture School and has been an inspiring mentor and role model for other North Iowa entrepreneurs. We're proud to have worked with Billie through all the phases of her business and proud to see how she uses her platform to encourage and inspire others!

It's been a whirlwind of a week with Mind Mania students learning about entrepreneurship and more at the NIACC Pappajohn...
06/12/2026

It's been a whirlwind of a week with Mind Mania students learning about entrepreneurship and more at the NIACC Pappajohn Center! Students learned about entrepreneurial concepts, engaged in hands-on activities, and participated in a quick-pitch brainstorming activity, complete with marketing and prototyping experiments. We had a great group of creative and enthusiastic students this week, and hope they had as much fun as we did!

☀️ Are you thinking about summer plans yet? 🏖️ Plan ahead with IDEA Camp! IDEA Camp is a fun one-day experience for midd...
06/11/2026

☀️ Are you thinking about summer plans yet? 🏖️ Plan ahead with IDEA Camp! IDEA Camp is a fun one-day experience for middle school students with hands-on learning and activities centered around entrepreneurship. Your student will learn new ideas, practice real-world skills, create and innovate, make new friends, and build their confidence.

IDEA Camp will be held at two locations this summer: Charles City on July 7th and Clear Lake on July 9th. We hope we'll see you there! Learn more and register at https://www.niacccamps.com/idea-camp.cfm

Entrepreneurship education builds more than future business owners. 💡 This week's Quick Take features insight from Raega...
06/10/2026

Entrepreneurship education builds more than future business owners. 💡 This week's Quick Take features insight from Raegan Hanson, Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator. Through hands-on experiences, students develop real-world skills like critical thinking, resiliency, ingenuity, and leadership -- skills that will benefit them no matter what career path they choose. Learning how to solve problems, adapt to challenges, and think creatively prepares young people to succeed in school, the workplace, and life. What is one skill you wish you had learned earlier in life?

The NIACC Youth Entrepreneurial Academy kicks off June 15, and the window to apply is closing soon!If your high school s...
06/08/2026

The NIACC Youth Entrepreneurial Academy kicks off June 15, and the window to apply is closing soon!

If your high school student has ever dreamed of starting a business, turning a hobby into something more, or simply wants to build confidence, leadership skills, and real-world experience, YEA is the perfect opportunity. This year's flexible hybrid format makes it easier than ever to fit into a busy summer schedule filled with sports, jobs, family activities, and friends.

Over two exciting weeks, students will explore entrepreneurship, develop business ideas, connect with local business leaders, and discover what it takes to bring an idea to life. Don't wait to apply -- spots are limited, and applications are closing soon! Learn more and apply today at www.pappajohncenter.com/yea or contact Raegan Hanson at [email protected] or 641-422-4234.

Tag a parent of a high school student who should know about this opportunity! 👇

The NIACC Pappajohn Center is proud to announce the launch of Venture Launch Lab, a new entrepreneurial incubator progra...
06/05/2026

The NIACC Pappajohn Center is proud to announce the launch of Venture Launch Lab, a new entrepreneurial incubator program designed to help aspiring and early-stage business owners build the knowledge, systems, and confidence needed to successfully launch and grow a sustainable business. The first cohort of Venture Launch Lab brought together 11 businesses and 14 entrepreneurs from across North Iowa who are committed to building sustainable businesses that contribute to the economic vitality of their communities.

Spring 2026 Venture Launch Lab Participants:
- Beach Buddies, Sherri Stensrude & Bridget Herrick, Mason City
- CaptuRE Recycling, Shaden Tweeten, Forest City
- Cliff's Place, Lauren Jepperson, Charles City
- Georgette, Hallie Erdahl, Clear Lake
- Grant Harvester, Caleb Renner, Forest City
- Hertel Custom Builders, Jackson Hertel, Northwood
- Mags & Lu Pet Services, Mary Jo Vrba, Mason City
- SnapCache, Ryan Tostenson, Mason City
- Stone Heritage, Cait Dillavou, Clear Lake
- Swarty's, Josh & Shawna Swartwood, Clear Lake
- Swift Lift Logistics, Luke & Starr Benjamin, Clear Lake

The Venture Launch Lab cohort celebrated the completion of the program with a pitch competition. 7 teams opted to compete before a panel of judges on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. The following prizes were awarded:

- First Prize ($1000) - Beach Buddies, Sherri Stensrude & Bridget Herrick, Mason City
- Second Prize ($750) - Stone Heritage, Cait Dillavou, Clear Lake
- Third Prize ($500) - Cliff's Place, Lauren Jepperson, Charles City
- Honorable Mention ($250) - Grant Harvester, Caleb Renner, Forest City
- Honorable Mention ($250) - CaptuRE Recycling, Shaden Tweeten, Forest City
- Honorable Mention ($250) - Swarty's, Josh & Shawna Swartwood, Clear Lake
- Honorable Mention ($250) – Georgette, Hallie Erdahl, Clear Lake

Simple changes can transform your business. 💡 This week's Quick Take features insight from Joyce Martin, Marketing & Com...
06/03/2026

Simple changes can transform your business. 💡 This week's Quick Take features insight from Joyce Martin, Marketing & Community Relations Manager. When everyone is competing for customers' attention, it's key to use all of your resources, especially the free ones! A Google Business Profile is often overlooked by entrepreneurs, but it's a free and fast way to help boost your search rankings, share your message with customers, show up on maps, and establish your reputation. What's the best "obscure" marketing tip you'd share with another business owner?

Address

500 College Drive, Ste 120
Mason City, IA
50401

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16414224111

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