Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
*APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2026 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 presented in the final competition. Regional winners who advance to the finals but do not win top awards will receive $500 per team.
Interested in applying? Connect with us!
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.
2026 Timeline
March 9 (Midnight) — Deadline for Submissions
March 9 - March 25 — Judges Deliberation
March 27 — Finalists Announced
April 10 — Finals in Des Moines (8AM-1PM)
Application
/ Connect with us to apply today!
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.
2026 Timeline
March 9 (Midnight) — Deadline for Submissions
March 9 - March 25 — Judges Deliberation
March 27 — Finalists Announced
April 10 — Finals in Des Moines (8AM-1PM)
Application
/ Connect with us to apply today!
Have questions or need assistance? Email jpec@uni.edu