Innovation Challenge Spring Alumni Application | John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

INNOVATION CHALLENGE -- ALUMNI

The Innovation Challenge is a university-wide competition with the goal to identify, advance, and support the most innovative projects on campus. $225,000 in total funding will be awarded during the 2025-26 academic year to the most innovative ideas! The competition is open to all University of Iowa faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, and incubator startups. All University of Iowa alumni and anyone who has gone through our Venture School, NSF I-Corps, or Venture Mentoring Service programs is encouraged to apply.

This second phase will award up to $150,000 in seed funding.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Job Title

Employer/Department

Phone Number

Status

We define "Incubator Startup" as either participating in the UI's Research Park or active alumni members receiving support from the UI Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory.

Are you the founder or a partner with equal or controlling interest?

Yes

Founders are required to present the pitch.

Do you have more than one owner?

Yes

CO-OWNER

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Job Title

Employer/Department

CO-OWNER

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Job Title

Employer/Department

BUSINESS INFORMATION

Business Name

Business Description

Does your business have a valid University of Iowa vendor ID?

Yes

If yes to the above question, please enter your University of Iowa vendor ID number.

Please indicate the level of your business below in terms of annual revenue.

Pre-Revenue

$1-150,000

$150,001-300,000

$300,001-500,000

$500,001-above

Previous funding awarded

None

$0-1,000

$1,000-10,000

$10,000-20,000

$20,000-50,000

$50,000-100,000

$100,000-150,000

$150,000-200,000

$200,000-250,000

I consider my business to be

early stage

advanced

Are you legally able to operate a business in the United States?

Yes

Unsure

A five-page (maximum) executive summary is required as part of the application. Upload below.

Executive Summary

One file only.
50 MB limit.
Allowed types: pdf, doc, docx.

ALUMNI ONLY VIDEO SUBMISSION

Upload your video to YouTube. Please include a URL for your pitch video uploaded to YouTube. Videos should be no longer than 60 seconds in length. Please ensure that the link is NOT set to private so that the video can be viewed by our judges (Tip: If you want to keep your video hidden, mark it as "unlisted" NOT "private." An "unlisted" video will only be able to be found by those whom you have shared a link with).

PASTE YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK HERE

PLEASE NOTE
Following the application deadline of April 3, you will be contacted via email with scheduling options for your pitch.

Winners and award amounts will be announced at the Iowa Innovation Challenge Awards on Wednesday, April 15 at 5 p.m. at MERGE.

Please inquire about additional coaching options.

EMAIL PATTI