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Iowa JPEC Events

Tippie Fest Celebration 2026! promotional image

Tippie Fest Celebration 2026!

Thursday, September 10, 2026 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Pappajohn Business Building
Don't miss the annual Tippie Fest Celebration on Thursday, September 10th! Enjoy FREE food, participate in fun activities, meet Tippie Student Orgs, and connect with campus partners like Study Abroad, Iowa MBA program, and Career Services. Showcase of what Tippie has to offer for new and continuing students!

New and returning students are invited to:
enjoy FREE food and carnival-style games
participate in Silent Disco—a Battle of the Playlists (students vs UPO staff)
visit the Tippie Student Organization Fair
connect with campus partners like Study Abroad, Iowa MBA program, and Career Services
Iowa JPEC Honors Award Ceremony promotional image

Iowa JPEC Honors Award Ceremony

Friday, September 11, 2026 6:00pm to 7:00pm
The Englert
This year's ceremony will recognize two extraordinary leaders whose entrepreneurial vision and impact embody the spirit of Iowa innovation: John Pappajohn Legacy Award (Byron Roth, executive chairman of ROTH Capital Partners) and John Pappajohn Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year (Ravi Patel, president of Hawkeye Hotels). Keynote guest is Jerre Stead, chair, Stead Impact Ventures and 10-time public company CEO. Emcee is Laura Vandeberg, host of Hawkeye Sports athletic events.
NSF I-Corps Workshop promotional image

NSF I-Corps Workshop

Monday, September 28, 2026 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Virtual
The NSF I-Corps program at the University of Iowa, led by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC), helps researchers, innovators, and early-stage startups explore the commercial potential of their work and make a real impact in the world.
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LEARN TO LEAD

FOR UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STUDENTS

Entrepreneurship enhances every career path. Our campus-wide approach offers academic programs with hands-on learning opportunities for any UI student, regardless of their field of study.

STUDENT PROGRAMS

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DISCOVER AND INNOVATE

FOR CAMPUS

Whether you are a graduate student with an idea or a faculty researcher with interest in growing a venture or partnering with an established firm, we have entrepreneurial executives, programs, and resource connections to scale your ideas. 

CAMPUS PROGRAMS

Classroom visit

LAUNCH & GROW

FOR STARTUPS AND BUSINESSES

Whether it’s helping to launch your new startup, or providing opportunities for existing businesses to grow and scale, we’re proud to support innovators across the state of Iowa.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

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50,418

ENROLLMENT IN IOWA JPEC COURSES

2,816

Startup Companies Served

3.15M

In Seed Money Awarded to Iowa Startups