JPEC Stories & News

Noman Ikram

Student entrepreneur runs Pakistan-based business from UNI campus

UNI's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center has enabled one international student to run an e-commerce store based in Pakistan from Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Emma Slagle

UNI senior gives back with family-owned apparel business

With the help of the student business incubator, UNI senior Emma Slagle's desire to help first responders has spiraled into a successful family business.
UNI alum Greg Jass

UNI alum closes major business deal with top PR agency

New York-based PR agency Vested recently announced they had purchased Red Lab Technologies, a Cedar Falls digital marketing firm started by UNI alum Greg Jass.
BCS Building

2021-2022 Winter EFP to Begin

The 2021 Winter Early Founder's Program will begin on December 27. This is a 4-week program that allows students to validate, test, and grow their business concepts with the help of their peers and mentors. The program closes on Sunday, January 23 with a final workshop where students will share their business discoveries and progress in a formal presentation. 
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UNI Entrepreneurs Club Attends CEO in Tampa, Florida

Early in the morning on October 28, a group of nine representatives from the UNI entrepreneurs club (UNI-E) headed to Tampa, Florida to attend the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization Global Conference. This is an annual event that brings together students and key members from a variety of national and international institutes for a three-day event. The location of the conference varies every year and this was the first year that UNI took a large group to attend the Florida event. UNI-E co-advisor, Maddie Palmersheim, reflects, 
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Sav's Syrups Advances to Nationals

On Tuesday, October 19, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the annual pitch competition for student ventures at the University of Northern Iowa. Among participants was Savannah Warren (sophomore) with her company, Sav's Syrups. 
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OEI Returns for 2021

After a year break due to Covid-19, the Obokoji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI) was back for the week-long event. Bringing together over 30 students from five institutes - University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Iowa Lakes Community College, and Buena Vista University, participants were immersed into an intense entrepreneurship program that is unmatched by any other in the state.
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The Summer 2021 Early Founder's Program Wraps Up

The Summer 2021 Early Founder’s Program wrapped up their third summer cohort. Consisting of eight student teams, the program ran through the months of June and July in a virtual setting. The EFP was led by former JPEC tenant and program assistant, Maddie Palmersheim,“The Early Founder’s Program is an opportunity for student ventures to take a deep dive into their business. Whether they are validating a concept, testing their model, or growing their venture, the program connects them to a variety of opportunities and mentors to get them to their next level.” 
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Virgo Takes Home Cash Prize at e-Fest

On Thursday, April 22 and Friday, April 23, 2021, Maddie Palmersheim (senior) and Grace Hartnett (senior) represented UNI at e-Fest hosted by the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship. e-Fest was an online competition that consisted of a pitch competition and the Schulze Innovation Challenge that awarded participants with over $215k in prize money.
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Virgo Represents UNI at 2021 e-Fest

A group of aspiring entrepreneurs from University of Northern Iowa will be among 25 teams vying for $215,000 this week at a national competition looking for the next big idea. Virgo is competing this week at e-Fest, a virtual event being hosted by the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.