Date: Friday, February 1, 2013

​

New and start-up businesses can enter to win up to $25,000

​

John Pappajohn, Iowa's premier venture capitalist, has announced the launch of the 2013 John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition. This is the eighth annual business plan competition for Iowa sponsored by Pappajohn. Since 2006, more than $350,000 in prizes has been awarded to start-ups across the state. This year, a total of $50,000 will be awarded to the top three submitted business plans: $25,000 for first prize, $15,000 for second and $10,000 for third. 

​

The competition is designed to stimulate business development and provide support for outstanding business plans. The John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition is open to new and start-up businesses (in business for less than four years). 

​

The first round of the business plan competition will take place between March 1 and April 30. During this time, businesses are invited to submit business information via a secure online program called Gust. A link to Gust is available at www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com.

​

In May, selected companies will be contacted and invited to submit full business plans through Gust. The competition will then be narrowed to seven to 10 companies to present to judges in August. The winners will be recognized at a special awards luncheon on September 26th in Des Moines.

​

Assistance with business plan entries is available at the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers located at Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa; the Small Business Development Centers throughout the state; and the business accelerators in Des Moines, Red Oak, Spencer, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Mason City.

​

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers provide entrepreneurial education and business support, partnering with agencies like the Small Business Development Center, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Entrepreneurial Development Centers and local entrepreneurs to assist with funding and other business needs.

​

Rules, eligibility, timelines and assistance information are available at the competition website, www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com.

​

For additional information about the competition visit www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com or contact one of the JPEC centers via the contact information below.

​

• Drake University John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
  Debra Bishop
  515-271-2011
  deb.bishop@drake.edu
   

• Iowa State University John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
  Judi Eyles
  515-296-6532
  eyles@iastate.edu
   

• North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
  Jamie Zanios
  641-422-4111
  zaniojam@niacc.edu
   

• University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
  Lee Groeschl
  319-335-0959
  lee-groeschl@uiowa.edu
   

• University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
  Randy Pilkington
  319-273-5732
  randy.pilkington@uni.edu

​