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The 2026 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition is co-hosted by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The purpose of the competition is to support and champion early stage, scalable Iowa companies and create access to Iowa entrepreneurial resources.
The top teams will be awarded:
- First Place: $40,000
- Second Place: $25,000
- Third Place: $15,000
- Other prizes: totaling up to $20,000
The top teams will be awarded:
- First Place: $40,000
- Second Place: $25,000
- Third Place: $15,000
- Other prizes: totaling up to $20,000
Eligibility
Business plan must relate to an idea for a business in operation for four years or less, or a business that is not yet cash flow positive.
Businesses must be registered in Iowa and intend to scale in Iowa to be eligible.
Any business is eligible to participate except for those with a primary focus on retail sales, real estate or health care services or who have previously placed in the top three in this competition.
Participants will be judged on their written submissions, and if they advance, their presentations.
Participants will be judged on the following:
- Does the business attempt to fulfill a valid need?
- Does this business have a valid market?
- Who is the competition?
- What is your product? Is it valid?
- Do you have a valid pricing model?
- Valid marketing, sales, operations, and financial plans
- Balanced team with development/marketing/sales/finance/IT/operations skills
Past winning teams have included a variety of ideas:
- A wastewater treatment process
- Data-driven livestock analytics
- Shell and tube cleaning technology
- Educational application that personalizes learning and collaboration.
Businesses must be registered in Iowa and intend to scale in Iowa to be eligible.
Any business is eligible to participate except for those with a primary focus on retail sales, real estate or health care services or who have previously placed in the top three in this competition.
Participants will be judged on their written submissions, and if they advance, their presentations.
Participants will be judged on the following:
- Does the business attempt to fulfill a valid need?
- Does this business have a valid market?
- Who is the competition?
- What is your product? Is it valid?
- Do you have a valid pricing model?
- Valid marketing, sales, operations, and financial plans
- Balanced team with development/marketing/sales/finance/IT/operations skills
Past winning teams have included a variety of ideas:
- A wastewater treatment process
- Data-driven livestock analytics
- Shell and tube cleaning technology
- Educational application that personalizes learning and collaboration.