University of Northern Iowa

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Welcome to the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center!

The JPEC made a recent move to Suite 13 in the BCS building after an internal reorganization that took place this summer. As a result, the Small Business Development Center and IASourceLink have joined forces with the JPEC team in the new space. Consolidating under 1 umbrella has well-positioned the JPEC to improve upon the resources offered to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses across Iowa. 

Suite 13 is now the centralized hub for entrepreneurial resources, programs, collaboration and development of new and existing ventures. Since the JPEC moved, the staff has doubled in the 5540 sq-ft. center. The JPEC now features:

  • 11 student and business incubation office spaces.
  • A corner collaboration suite equipped with monitors, whiteboards, and iMacs. 
  • Podcast studio with RODE equipment. 
  • 10-person conference room with an 8 ft whiteboard and 65 in. monitor. 

The main highlight of the space, however, is the Innovation Lounge that will host up to 60 people and is fully equipped with white boards, monitors, and a variety of seating for group collaboration and individual work. The JPEC plans to host campus and community meetings and events in the space.

 

  • 2021 Entrepreneurship Annual Report
  • A Journey Worth Exploring
  • Startups Start Here
We offer a Minor in Entrepreneurship and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship. For some students, this can be as few as nine credit hours. Maybe you have a business idea but do not want to study entrepreneurship? The JPEC can still help!
The cornerstone entrepreneurial program for the JPEC is the R. J. McElroy Student Business Incubator. We have the knowledge, resources, and connections to help you turn your idea into reality.
Find out what graduates of our many entrepreneurship programs have to say about their experiences being entrepreneurs and working in the JPEC and with the JPEC staff.