Aiding Entrepreneurs

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) is a unique collaboration between the University’s Henry B. Tippie College of Business, College of Engineering, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

Formed in 1996, JPEC delivers innovative educational, training, and outreach programs to students, faculty, aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the state of Iowa. 

Contact the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center if you need:

Education/Training: Year-round training programs and workshops including the statewide FastTrac® Entrepreneurial Training Programs (over 3,000 Iowans have been trained through a partnership with the Iowa Community College System and the University of Northern Iowa) and the FastTrac® TechVenture™ Entrepreneurial Training Program focusing on the commercialization of University of Iowa-based technologies.

Seminars and Networking: Monthly programs including the Entrepreneurial Ventures Group seminar and networking program, speaker series sponsored by Hills Bank & Trust Company and Iowa State Bank & Trust Company, and the annual Iowa Venture Capital and Entrepreneurs Conference.

Consulting Services: One-on-one consulting/mentoring services for early-stage and growing ventures, and the Student Field Study Program in which faculty-led student teams conduct studies for entrepreneurial ventures throughout Iowa.

Access to Capital: JPEC is the regional contact/administrator for the Wellmark Venture Capital Fund for start-up and early stage Iowa ventures. JPEC staff also serve on venture boards and network with venture firms and financial institutions to provide introductions and support to entrepreneurs seeking capital.