The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) is the hub for entrepreneurship education and outreach at the University of Iowa.

Check out some of the highlights from FY 2023 with our most recent annual report.

JOHN AND MARY PAPPAJOHN'S SUPPORT

Iowa alumnus John Pappajohn is the president of Equity Dynamics Inc., and Pappajohn Capital Resources in Des Moines, Iowa.  Upon graduation from the University of Iowa in 1952, Pappajohn, a consummate entrepreneur, was involved with several entrepreneurial projects. He became a full-time venture capitalist in 1969 and has been involved in more than 100 startups and 50 IPO’s and has served as a director in more than 40 public companies.  In 1996, John and Mary Pappajohn changed the trajectory of entrepreneurship and economic development in the state of Iowa by creating John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers at the University of Iowa and four other educational institutions across Iowa. Their vision to ensure that all Iowans — from college students to community members — have access to high quality entrepreneurship education and support has led to the creation of new ventures and high quality jobs across the state of Iowa and the world. Additionally, the Pappajohns have supported multiple philanthropic causes at Iowa including the John Pappajohn Business Building, the Pappajohn Pavilion at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, the John and Mary Pappajohn Clinical Cancer Center, the Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, and the Pappajohn Education Center in Des Moines. They have also provided significant financial support for student scholarships.  Iowa will be forever grateful for their tremendous support.