They brainstormed ideas, refined business plans, resolved disagreements, and mastered time management—all in less than eight hours. It was, in every sense, another successful DesignDash, spearheaded by the Jacobson Institute, the K-12 arm of the University of Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.

The third and final DesignDash of the fall semester took place on Nov. 25 in the Pappajohn Business Building, drawing a record 107 students from 11 high schools. Since its inception in April 2022, the program has grown in popularity, making stops across Iowa and engaging more students each season. This fall alone, DesignDash cohorts in Cedar Falls, Des Moines, and Iowa City hosted 265 students from 29 high schools.

Through this fast-paced, one-day entrepreneurial experience, the Jacobson Institute introduces high school students and educators to the fundamentals of business problem-solving. Working in teams, participants collaborate with entrepreneurs and industry experts to tackle real-world challenges using innovative solutions.

Building Connections and Sparking Creativity

Lila Bihun, a sophomore from Iowa City West High School, attended DesignDash for the second time. She valued the opportunity to network with a diverse group of students.

“Networking is an essential skill in the business community,” Bihun said. “When you listen to other ideas, it sparks your own creativity.” 

Bihun, who aspires to a career in business, credited the program with expanding her connections and sharpening her skills.

Pitches and Prototypes

At the Iowa City DesignDash, 21 startup teams presented their ideas in one of two “pits,” where their pitches were evaluated by panels of three judges. Before taking the stage, students benefited from guidance provided by 23 mentors, volunteers, and speakers.

Proposed business concepts included a locally grown food delivery service for athletes, desserts for school lunches paired with inspirational messages, fast food options for customers with dietary restrictions, a stress-management wristlet, a program to match students with college classes and internships, a virtual reality-based learning platform, and a “televised” series to help individuals improve social skills.

Brody Pata, a junior at Linn-Mar High School, reflected on his team’s pitch for Fresh Fuel Kitchen, a locally sourced food service.

“I wanted to learn more about business, and I enjoyed the experience,” Pata said. “We focused on sourcing food locally to ensure freshness.”

Sophomore Alice Edelen from Iowa City High School shared insights into the entrepreneurial process.

“Coming up with ideas isn’t the hardest part—it’s the research,” she said. “You want to put your business concept through a lot of different perspectives.”

Inspiring Creativity and Collaboration

Educators and mentors also emphasized the program's impact on student growth. Andrew Fenstermaker, instructional technology coordinator for the Iowa City School District, praised the collaborative atmosphere.

“Seeing students work within time constraints and pitch to potential investors is inspiring,” Fenstermaker said. “They bring passion and solution-focused mindsets.”

Jenny Lensch, a business and computer science teacher at North Cedar High School, noted how DesignDash fosters creativity and critical thinking.

“Getting students out of their comfort zones and focusing on end-user needs is invaluable,” Lensch said. “This is my second time bringing students, and it’s always a rewarding experience.”

Looking Ahead

DesignDash will return in Spring 2025 with planned stops in Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa, and Sioux City, continuing its mission to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs across Iowa.