Programs
Wherever you are at in your entrepreneurship journey, we have a program for you.
The JPEC has a wide variety of programs built for entrepreneurs at every stage. If you are a high school student or incoming freshman at the university, check out our Early Founders Program. Are you a current student with a business or just starting one? Grab an office in the Student Business Incubator. Need additional resources and help from like-mined students? Join the UNI Entrepreneurs Club! Are you out of college or just need one-on-one help getting your business off the ground? We provide a mentoring service, direct access to the regional Small Business Development Center office, and co-host a statewide referral source for Iowa entrepreneurs.
Student Business Incubator
The R. J. McElroy Student Business Incubator, a program of the UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC), is an educational learning laboratory designed to inspire and educate students interested in entrepreneurship and small business. It is our hope that students will graduate equipped with the skills and experience necessary to create a positive influence on the Iowa economy.
UNI Entrepreneurs Club
UNI Entrepreneurs Club is an organization for students interested in entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and innovation. UNI-E members come from a diverse fields of study with a wide variety of majors represented in the organization.
Early Founders Program
The Early Founders Program is an intensive program for student businesses offered over the academic breaks. EFP is an opportunity for students to explore foundations of their business through running experiments, working with mentors, and collaborating with other participants in the program.
IASourceLink
IASourceLink is where business begins in Iowa. Our mission is to help small businesses in Iowa grow and succeed. We provide firms with free, easy access to the help they need - when they need it.
Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center can unlock the potential of any business through our customized one-on-one business consulting approach. Appointments are provided at no cost and workshops are both affordable and practical.
Panther Biz Hub
The Panther Biz Hub is a student-run program that focuses on economic development outreach. Through this program, businesses are able to develop and execute marketing plans and campaigns, while students gain real-work experience.
Venture Mentoring Services
In the Venture Mentoring Services model, entrepreneurs meet with a team of mentors in ongoing, confidential meetings where they receive feedback and provide support as the entrepreneur navigates the challenges of starting a business.
