CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Recap Books, a business founded by Amy and Jeff Blanchard that provides a simple, safe way to preserve social media memories in a keepsake book, won first place and $15,000 at the University of Iowa’s Venture School Launch Day on June 12 at The Olympic Southside Theater.

A total of $37,000 in prize money was awarded to 10 teams.

Second place ($9,000) went to Rezonance AI, a consulting firm founded by Padmini Soni that specializes in responsible and ethical AI solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. The Local Hub, an online guide to local events in Iowa City and Coralville founded by Samantha Johnson, earned third place ($6,000).

Two finalists: Georgette (Hallie Erdahl) and HitchHub (Jake Johnson), and five semifinalists, received $1,000 each. The semifinalists are CaptuRE Recycling (Shaden Tweeten), Circa Legacy (Keesia Wirt), Mabel & Pearl Tea Co. (Sadie Sell and Nicholas Terbovic), Peer Accelerator (Nick Johnson), and Receivos (Adan Ortiz). 

Recap Books participated in Des Moines Venture School, The Local Hub is from the Iowa City cohort, and Rezonance AI is from Quad City Venture School.

Venture School is affiliated with the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC). The statewide training program focuses on real-world experimentation, customer discovery, and Lean LaunchPad methodologies. Partnering with Iowa JPEC for Venture School are Des Moines Area Community College, Eastern Iowa Community College, Eastern Iowa SBDC, MidIowa SBDC, North Iowa Area SBDC, SCORE, The Innovation Lab, Dubuque, and the University of Iowa SBDC.

To learn more about Venture School, click HERE.