ABOUT THE HONORS

The Iowa Innovation and Entrepreneurship Honors, hosted by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, recognizes students, alumni, faculty, staff, and JPEC program participants who create value through innovation and entrepreneurship. The Honors will recognize the 2023 award winners during a reception on Thursday, Oct. 6.

The deadline for applications and nominations for the 2023 Honors will be announced soon.

Check out our honorees:

Awards, Applications, and Nominations

The Iowa Innovation and Entrepreneurship Honors, hosted by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center recognizes outstanding entrepreneurial accomplishments of our alumni, students, faculty, staff, and Venture School participants.

Recipients of these awards exhibit passion, devotion and innovation in planning and deploying their startup/business, and have made significant progress over the years as determined by metrics such as jobs created and revenue generated.

General Guidelines for Nominations

  1. Graduates, former students, faculty, and staff of the University of Iowa or past participants in any JPEC-affiliated programming may apply or be nominated. Please see individual award descriptions for further details.
  2. We encourage entrepreneurs and innovators from any industry to apply for our awards.
  3. Nominations and applications are welcome. Complete our simple nomination form to recognize a deserving Hawkeye, and we will contact them to collect additional information.
  4. With the exception of the Enterprise Leadership Awards, the nominee must have played a central role in creating and/or developing a new business enterprise.
  5. The applicant’s company must have a reputation for sound business ethics and excellent management practices.
  6. Applicant must be respected as a leader in the industry and community, as demonstrated by involvement in industry, community, and service organizations and/or activities.
  7. The Applicant is a good ambassador for the University of Iowa and/or Iowa JPEC.
  8. If there are multiple founders who meet the criteria within one business, they may ALL be recognized in a single nomination/application for each award.
  9. Nominations will be considered for two years. It is the responsibility of the nominator or applicant to update supporting information as needed.
Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award
 

Granted to an entrepreneur, who previously attended the University of Iowa, for their significant accomplishments in entrepreneurship and innovation. If there are multiple founders who meet the criteria within one business, they may all be recognized in a single nomination.

Alumni Entrepreneurial Leadership Award
 

Granted to a University of Iowa alumnus for significant professional accomplishments and exemplary leadership of or within an entrepreneurial venture, corporation, or social enterprise. If there are multiple alumni who meet the criteria within one business, they may all be recognized in a single nomination.

Young Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award
 

Granted to an entrepreneur, who previously attended the University of Iowa, for their significant accomplishments in entrepreneurship and innovation. Individuals must be age 35 or younger at time of nomination. If there are multiple founders who meet the criteria within one business, they may all be recognized in a single nomination.

Young Alumni Entrepreneurial Leadership Award

 

Granted to a University of Iowa young alumnus for significant professional accomplishments and exemplary leadership of or within an entrepreneurial venture, corporation, or social enterprise. If there are multiple alumni who meet the criteria within one business, they may all be recognized in a single nomination.

Iowa Innovator of the Year Award
 

Granted to startup affiliated with faculty/staff at the University of Iowa that has completed JPEC's UI Innovators Workshop. Winning startup will be awarded seed capital for their achievement.

Venture School Business of the Year Award


Granted to a startup company that has participated in the statewide seven week-long Venture School training program at a cohort location in the state of Iowa. Winners will be awarded seed capital for their achievement.

Student Startup of the Year


Granted to a University of Iowa undergraduate or graduate student startup for significant accomplishments in entrepreneurship and innovation. Winning startup will be awarded seed capital for their achievement.

Entrepreneurial Leadership Student of the Year

 

Granted to a current JPEC degree or certificate student who has significant academic, professional, or personal accomplishments and brings significant value to the university, their employer, or other organizations in which they participate.