Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
Sponsored by John Pappajohn, Equity Dynamics, Inc., the Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition is intended for students interested in starting their own business. Students develop and submit an executive summary, business model canvas, and financial projections for their venture. Plans are judged on the following variables:
- Content/Concept of Plan
- Viability of Plan
- Fulfillment of all requirements
Three seed grants of $5,000 will be awarded to the top three business plans who present in the final competition. Regional winners who advance to the finals but do not win top awards will receive $500 per team.
Competition
Eligibility
- Must be a full or part-time undergraduate or graduate students registered for the current academic year at an Iowa post-secondary educational institution.
- Plans may be submitted by an individual or by a team of students.
- Teams must consist of at least one student member.
- Teams must consist of five or fewer members.
- Business competition applications must be for a startup or new business only (not for an existing business). Regional directors will subjectively determine eligibility.
Timeline
April 5 (midnight) — Deadline for Submissions
April 6-16 — Judges Deliberation
April 17 — Finalists Announced
April 28 — Finals in Des Moines (8AM-1PM)
Application
/ The 2025 competition has ended.
Have questions or need assistance? Email jpec@uni.edu
Competition
Eligibility
- Must be a full or part-time undergraduate or graduate students registered for the current academic year at an Iowa post-secondary educational institution.
- Plans may be submitted by an individual or by a team of students.
- Teams must consist of at least one student member.
- Teams must consist of five or fewer members.
- Business competition applications must be for a startup or new business only (not for an existing business). Regional directors will subjectively determine eligibility.
Timeline
April 5 (midnight) — Deadline for Submissions
April 6-16 — Judges Deliberation
April 17 — Finalists Announced
April 28 — Finals in Des Moines (8AM-1PM)
Application
/ The 2025 competition has ended.
Have questions or need assistance? Email jpec@uni.edu