Friday, April 5, 2019

On April 5, 2019, Iowa JPEC hosted our annual Startup Incubator Fair at the Graduate Hotel in Iowa City. Over 300 students and members of the community attended the fair, which showcased more than 50 innovative student businesses. As members of the Startup Incubator program, these UI student businesses receive support to grow them into sustainable businesses through various resources and mentoring. More established businesses had a booth to display their hard work in an expo-setting where attendees could freely visit tables and ask questions. The booths were also judged and a total of $13,000 was awarded in various categories. 

Here are the winners from the 2019 Startup Incubator Fair:

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD (voted on by attendees)

  • Winner $1,000—Elevated Supply Co  
    • Elevated is an urban wear brand focused on invoking conversation through design, high quality garments, and hitting a fair price point.

HIGHEST GROWTH POTENTIAL AWARDS

  • Winner $2,000—VerdiLife
    • VerdiLife strives to make the Earth a healthier planet by replacing harmful agro-chemicals with all-natural solutions.
  • Runner up $1,000—Supercorn Education
    • An online service integrating tutoring between the United States and China.

BEST LIFESTYLE COMPANY AWARDS

  • Winner $2,000—Eco-Stylist
    • Eco-Stylist is an online marketplace for eco-conscious and ethically made men’s clothing. 
  • Runner up $1,000—Funny Nuggets
    • Funny Nuggets is an interactive comedy show for kids that helps build social skills, confidence, and creativity

BEST TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AWARDS

  • Winner $2,000—Asonus Tech 
    • Asonus Tech is developing an application for smart devices that alert those who are hard of hearing of important noises.
  • Runner up $1,000—Aelieve Digital Marketing
    • Aelieve is a full service digital marketing company that prides itself on cutting edge technology, a passion for innovation, and affordable digital marketing solutions.

WOMEN IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP (award sponsored by Michelle Bates and Ann Camblin)

  • Winner $1,000—Jade Peterson, founder of Funny Nuggets

Students who have recently joined the Startup Incubator program did not have a table at the fair (due to their business still being at a very early stage), and participated in an pitch-off instead:

BEST PITCH—$500

  • Defoggles

HIGHEST GROWTH POTENTIAL IDEA—$500

  • Full Scope

BEST LIFESTYLE BUSIENSS IDEA—$500

  • Prairie Rose Coffee

BEST TECHNOLOGY IDEA—$500

  • Apollo Med

Thank you to our judges, Adam Keune, Anne Price, Brad Phillips, Curt Strait, Don Shoen, Dennis Sparks, Jay Greenzweig, Katy Brown, Laura Westercamp, and Tara Cronbaugh!