CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The 2026 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition application portal is now open. The twenty-first annual statewide competition will award $100,000 in cash prizes to Iowa startups and entrepreneurial ventures, joining other startups from University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (UNI JPEC) alumni that have received this critical funding support.

The $100,000 in seed funding includes a $50,000 contribution from the five John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers, matched by $50,000 from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The goal of this competition is to support Iowa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by assisting entrepreneurs.

Iowa businesses that have been in operation for four years or less, or are not yet cash flow positive, are eligible to apply. This competition is open to businesses, including, but not limited to, technology, biotechnology, green technology, medical, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, and education industries.

The deadline for first round submissions is May 15 (11:59 p.m.), second round submissions for select applicants is July 10 (11:59 p.m.), with the final round pitch taking place on August 19. Winners will be announced that day.

Participants will be judged first on their written submissions; those who advance to the final round of the competition will give a formal presentation to a panel of judges. First place will be awarded $40,000, second place $25,000, and third place $15,000. Awards for other honorable mention categories will total up to $20,000.

Two UNI JPEC alumni have won funding at the Venture Competition in recent years. In 2025, Jared Doerfler '24 won third place for Hanna Golf, a golf putter designer and manufacturer, and, in 2023, Russel Karim '15 won first place for Dhakai, a technology platform for eCommerce and promotional apparel brands.

The competition is a collaborative program among the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers located at Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa. IEDA provides funding to bring the total prize package to $100,000.

For additional information about the competition or to apply, visit www.pappajohncompetition.com.