JPEC | Inside UNI

Apr 28, 2023

The University of Northern Iowa remembers the life and legacy of John Pappajohn

The legacy of John Pappajohn is evident at UNI. Find out how this entrepreneur and philanthropist has left a lasting impact on campus.

Apr 20, 2023

Experiment 529 Receives Veridian Community Engagement Grant for third consecutive year

Experiment 529, a collaboration between Iowa CORE and the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), has been awarded the Veridian Community Engagement Grant for the third year in a row. Experiment 529 aims to provide paid internships to college-bound high school and UNI students.

Feb 17, 2023

UNI and 24/7 BLAC win top national entrepreneurship education award

24/7 BLAC Black Business Entrepreneurial Accelerator (BBEA) and its collaboration with the University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (UNI JPEC) won the Model Community Accelerator/Incubator Award at the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) annual conference on Jan. 21.

Feb 03, 2023

JPEC’s Early Founders Program provides intensive business growth opportunities

A program at the UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) provides students with mentorship and collaboration opportunities while growing their businesses — all during academic breaks. It’s called the Early Founders Program, and students can apply for two different cohorts designed to teach the concepts and skills necessary for business ownership.

Jan 12, 2023

University of Northern Iowa celebrates 50+-year partnership with John Deere

UNI President Mark Nook and members of the UNI leadership team visited the John Deere Waterloo Operations facility for an annual meeting.

Business and Community Services building

Dec 05, 2022

Grant enables research into success strategies for underrepresented entrepreneurs

The Kauffman Foundation has provided a grant for research as part of the Black Capital Study + Projects, which will be carried out by Lindi Roelofse, the T. Wayne Davis Chair in Entrepreneurship at the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (UNI JPEC). The grant aims to support research initiatives that focus on exploring the journeys of underrepresented entrepreneurs and the challenges they face on their path to success.

Nov 30, 2022

UNI JPEC student making handmade ceramics for ‘Our Tomorrow’ campaign

Anna Gilbreath thought it was a joke at first. She was staring at an email from the University of Northern Iowa’s UNI Foundation asking if she, under her handmade ceramics business Anna Grace Creates, could make 275 mugs and 50 planters with branding for the “Our Tomorrow” fundraising campaign. She excitedly responded yes.

Nov 27, 2022

Elevator Pitch Competition provides three UNI student entrepreneurs with a cash prize to fund their ventures

With 90 seconds on the clock, 16 students from the University of Northern Iowa set out to prove they have what it takes to sustain a successful business.

Nov 09, 2022

Working at the intersection of purpose and profit, UNI alum helps entrepreneurs build impactful businesses

UNI alum Sam Parkkal's life has come full circle from his time being mentored at the JPEC to now becoming a mentor as the executive director of JoyCorps.

Oct 13, 2022

Students take home awards, experience from Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute

A group of entrepreneurship students from the University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) were selected to attend the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI) this summer, gaining valuable skills and taking home some hardware.

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