The University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) announces that Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) has become a partner institution for its statewide Venture School Entrepreneurial Training Program.

Des Moines has already been a hub for Iowa JPEC’s Venture School, which uses the National Science Foundation I-Corps curriculum to help startup businesses turn ideas into reality. As a partner institution, DMACC will help recruit entrepreneurs, teams, and startup coaches, as well as organize a Local Launch Day pitch event to be held the final night of class. 

“We rely on a network of partners to help us deliver our training program in communities across the state,” said Lynn Allendorf, director of Iowa JPEC. “Our partners — armed with their local knowledge — are able to provide support to the entrepreneurs after program completion.”

Other Venture School partner locations are Iowa City (Small Business Development Center at the University of Iowa), Dubuque (The Innovation Lab), Mason City (North Iowa Area Community College Pappajohn Center), Sioux City (Design West), Cedar Falls (University of Northern Iowa Pappajohn Center), and Quad Cities (Small Business Development Center at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges).

“DMACC is excited to collaborate with Iowa JPEC, serving as a Venture School partner for Central Iowa,” said Rob Denson, president of DMACC. “The innovative, real-life curriculum and entrepreneurial support is essential in continuing to grow business and communities across Iowa. We are honored to serve alongside such strong partners across the state.”

The Venture School program works for startups, small businesses, non-profits, and corporate innovation teams. It connects communities by inviting local stakeholders to partner under a common program. The partners include (but are not limited to) Small Business Development Centers, Chambers of Commerce, University of Iowa resources, workforce development officials, marketers, attorneys, investors, local community executives, and state government resources.

Established in 1996, Iowa JPEC is the hub for entrepreneurship education and outreach at the University of Iowa. Venture School is one of several entrepreneurial support programs provided by Iowa JPEC to link University of Iowa resources to businesses across the state, including Business Consulting, Venture Mentoring Service, and student interns.