Founded in 1996 with a visionary gift from John Pappajohn, the Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship addresses entrepreneurial growth through cross-disciplinary academic coursework, experiential learning, and robust support for startups at every level. Serving as the catalyst for the university’s branded "Start Something" initiative, the Pappajohn Center collaborates with all campus colleges and the community to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Pappajohn Center is unique in its comprehensive and inclusive approach. With a dedicated team of 10 full-time staff, four Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, rotating faculty fellows, and 30 student employees, partnered with “Start Something” faculty leaders in all seven colleges, academic deans, and the University President, the Center reaches thousands annually through an expansive array of programs. These include competitions, workshops, a tech incubator, and a fully immersive accelerator, all designed to nurture entrepreneurial talent and innovation. The passion and commitment of our staff, many of whom are former participants, infuse the programs with invaluable insights and personal dedication. Academically, the university offers more than 100 courses in entrepreneurship and five entrepreneurship degree programs, including undergraduate and graduate options. This extensive curriculum ensures that students from any major can access top-tier entrepreneurship education. Beyond the classroom, the Pappajohn Center offers year-round programming that engages 8,000 people annually, supports student ventures with over $130,000 in direct investment, and awards over $100,000 in competition prizes. With “Start Something” programs in each of the seven colleges connected to the Pappajohn Center, Iowa State University is a leader in entrepreneurship education and engagement.
RUNNER-UP
Americas Most Impactful Initiative of the Year Award
Iowa State University Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship Activators Team
RUNNER-UP Americas Most Impactful Initiative of the Year Award
Iowa State University - United States
"Part of Something Bigger: Cultivating a Cross-Campus Entrepreneurial Initiative"
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Summary
Key People
Judi Eyles
Director
Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship,
Iowa State University
Wendy Wintersteen
President
Iowa State University
David Spalding
Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Jerry and Debbie Ivy College of Business
Iowa State University
Andreas Schwab
Academic Entrepreneurship Director
Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business,
Iowa State University
Kevin Kimle
College of Agriculture Start Something Academic Director
College of Agriculture,
Iowa State University
Linda Niehm
College of Human Sciences Start Something Academic Director
College of Human Sciences,
Iowa State University
Dave Sly
College of Engineering Start Something Academic Director
College of Engineering,
Iowa State University
Patience Lueth
College of Design Start Something Academic Director
College of Design,
Iowa State University
Kent Kerby
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Interim Start Something Academic Director
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,
Iowa State University
Daniel Linhares
College of Veterinary Medicine Start Something Academic Director
College of Veterinary Medicine,
Iowa State University
Megan
Assistant Director
Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship,
Iowa State University
Peter Hong
Director
ISU Startup Factory,
Iowa State University
Jim Oliver
Director
Student Innovation Center,
Iowa State University
Alex Andrade
Director
CyBIZ Lab Student Consulting,
Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship
Donna Ramaeker Zahn
Entrepreneur in Residence
ISU Startup Factory,
Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship
Andrew Kirpalani
Entrepreneur in Residence
ISU Startup Factory,
Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship
John LaMarche
Entrepreneur in Residence
ISU Startup Factory,
Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship
Jon Kallen
Entrepreneur in Residence
Go-To-Market Accelerator,
Iowa State University
Jean Walsh
Program Manager
Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship,
Iowa State University
Blake McClure
Program Manager
CyBIZ Lab Student Consulting,
Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship
Lindsey Murray
Communications Manager
Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship,
Iowa State University
Hannah Kirkendall
Program Manager
ISU Startup Factory,
Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship
Tim Scheve
Marketing Manager
Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship,
Iowa State University
Ashley Sawyer
Administrative Assistant
Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship,
Iowa State University
David Spalding
Vice President
Economic Development and Industry Relations,
Iowa State University
Acknowledgements
Our sincere gratitude to John and Mary Pappajohn and Roy and Bobbi Reiman, entrepreneurs providing early and continued significant gifts to the center; the Iowa State Legislature and Iowa Economic Development Authority for making startups a priority in Iowa through dedicated funding to support university entrepreneurship and economic development programs as well as offering funding opportunities for founders; President Wintersteen, who made entrepreneurship and innovation a university priority and led the launch of our Innovate at Iowa State and Start Something brand initiatives; Vice President for Economic Development and Ivy College of Business Dean David Spalding for cross-campus leadership of the undergraduate through PhD academic degree programs in entrepreneurship and who oversees the five outreach units under the Economic Development and Industry Relations umbrella; the college academic Deans for their leadership, collaboration, funding, and for embracing the “Start Something initiative” in their college; private donors and alumni for contributing financial gifts, and more importantly, time and mentoring; “Start Something Faculty Leaders” for developing and running college programs in entrepreneurship and for collaborating with the center on many levels; Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship team and mentors; and huge kudos to our student, faculty, staff and community founders for “starting something” with us at Iowa State University.
Images
College by College Pitch Competition
CyBIZ Lab 10-Year Anniversary Celebration
Smart Start Community Workshop
Student Innovation Center
Pitch Competition All College Winners
Student Marketplace Event
Start Something Pitch Finale
CYstarters Student Accelerator Graduates 2023
Iowa Veterans Entrepreneurship Conference
GCEC Nasdaq Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
USASBE Model Program Award with President and Start Something Leaders
CYstarters Accelerator Demo Day
Pappajohn Center Economic Development Core Facility
Iowa State Fair - 150 Pitches over 9 Days
Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Winner - Farm Story Meats
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
With hundreds of impactful student and founder success stories, how is it possible to choose a single venture story? Instead, we look at our own internal staff, full of people who participated in our programs and have now joined the team to support other entrepreneurs.
Megan Graettinger is one shining example. Megan was selected for the first cohort of the CYstarters student accelerator, and she participated in pitch competitions, entrepreneur club, and CyBIZ Lab consulting. Megan graduated and took a corporate position with a large national retailer while continuing to work on the business she created as a student. Megan eventually left the corporate world to focus solely on her startup business. After three years, having made the decision to exit her business, Megan joined the center.
Today, she serves as assistant director and directs CYstarters, which has grown under Megan’s leadership. The results are highly impactful. Since 2016, 157 students have participated, creating 121 ventures, with 70% of founders still running their businesses or working in another startup. Megan oversees other experiential programs, including weekend challenges, competitions, trainings, and a wide range of community events. She spends countless hours meeting one-on-one with new students and mentors CYstarters alumni. In the past year, she spent more than 100 hours coaching students, conducted numerous training events, and spoke at a number of public events. Megan has become an extremely knowledgeable and valuable staff member, providing practical business advice and important connections for student and faculty founders and community business owners.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
The impact and necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration, dynamic partnerships, external opportunities, and an evolving approach to entrepreneurship education have been key learnings since the program’s inception in 1996. Iowa State’s early decision to embed entrepreneurship across all academic disciplines and the “Start Something” initiative put in place by the university President were pivotal to the program’s success. Each individual college adopted entrepreneurship in its own way and at its own pace, taking time to recruit and grow a tenured-faculty base. This gradual process resulted in greater departmental buy-in over time.
Interdisciplinary collaboration has proven to be not only necessary but highly effective and has amplified the entrepreneur center’s reach and resources. Faculty share best practices across colleges, and students enjoy entrepreneurship courses that extend beyond their academic areas. Experientially-focused learning opportunities teach entrepreneurial skills and thinking that benefit students regardless of their career paths.
Leadership buy-in and advocacy is a necessity. Demonstrating success through metrics and storytelling has influenced leadership adoption and support, leading to a profound cultural and strategic shift at the university with strong leadership from the president and academic deans.
Embracing the university’s land grant mission and cultivating business and community partnerships have mutually benefited our campus and those served through various industry and economic relationships. Our story illustrates how vision and institutional commitment can successfully implement entrepreneurship within university culture.
These key components have not only driven success; consistent, world-wide recognition has also ensured sustainable growth and relevance in the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
Iowa State has received numerous awards and accolades recognizing its integrated and cross-disciplinary entrepreneurship ecosystem that spans campus and beyond. Top awards from ACEEU Triple-E, US Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers, and Princeton Review serve as humbling validation of our approach, yet there is still work to be done to fully execute on the President’s brand initiatives, “Start Something” and “Innovate at Iowa State”.
Future plans center around expanding impact and accessibility to foster even greater entrepreneurial success by securing transformational gifts to help sustain our on-campus presence, to create, fund, and support more startups, and to educate more students.
A major upcoming initiative will be establishing a new on-campus entrepreneurship space to address the limitations of current locations at the Research Park and Student Innovation Center, offering a more visible and accessible hub for innovation on central campus. The space would house an expanding team, co-working space, training facilities, and event space, creating an inviting environment for students across disciplines, making it easier for faculty and students to engage with staff, utilize entrepreneurship resources, and network with one another, fostering a stronger community of innovators and enhancing collaboration across the university.
This initiative reflects our commitment to continuous growth and dedication to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit at Iowa State. As we look to the future, we are excited about the potential to significantly increase support for startups, drive innovation, and contribute to the university’s legacy of excellence in entrepreneurship and engagement.”
