ABOUT US
At Iowa JPEC, we believe that behind every successful venture is a team of people who have been there before. Through our Iowa Venture Mentoring Service (VMS), we pair entrepreneurial and nonprofit ventures with a dedicated team of experienced, volunteer mentors
Utilizing the world-class Team Mentoring methodology licensed from the MIT Venture Mentoring Service (MIT VMS), we provide ongoing, confidential guidance, with zero-equity taken tailored to your business. This MIT VMS model believes an entrepreneurial venture supported by an objective team of mentors has a greater chance of success. Our mentors are bound by a rigorous conflict-of-interest policy, ensuring their advice is always 100% objective and focused entirely on your success. Because when you have a trusted team in your corner, your potential is limitless.
Iowa VMS is a perfect fit for Iowa JPEC as the hub for entrepreneurship education and outreach at the University of Iowa. Iowa JPEC launched the Venturing Mentoring Service in 2021 alongside the four other John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers in Iowa thanks in part to a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Our Mentors, In Their Own Words
David Oliver
HIGHER EVOLUTION, LLC
Oliver calls mentorship “giving back something that somebody gave to me.” Named 2025 Mentor of the Year by Iowa JPEC, Oliver says he thrives on helping entrepreneurs with overlooked basics. “Someone will tell me I can’t do something,” he said. “I’ve always found a way.”
Shamus Roeder
WHITERABBIT.AI
Roeder describes mentorship as having “scalable impact.” Named Iowa JPEC 2024 Mentor of the Year, he said engineering allows innovations to “help a lot of people.” A former Startup Games founder, Roeder encourages students to stand out by building ventures, noting, “Not everyone has built a business.”
Steve Davis
BIO::NEOS
Davis shifted from software-focused student to entrepreneur with Iowa JPEC’s support, founding Bio::Neos and later becoming Iowa JPEC's first Mentor of the Year in 2023. Grateful for early guidance, he now volunteers extensively, championing Iowa’s tech community, mentoring entrepreneurs, and promoting computer science education across the state.
IOWA JPEC VMS LEADERSHIP TEAM
University of Iowa JPEC staff who support daily operations and managerial oversight of VMS
OUR VISION
Iowa JPEC's Venture Mentoring Service supports entrepreneurs by connecting experienced professionals and business leaders to serve as volunteer mentors for entrepreneurial venture groups. We develop entrepreneurs statewide across Iowa and University of Iowa alumni outside the state as they seek to launch and grow their business ventures.
Our vision is to support entrepreneurs in the University of Iowa community, advance economic development in the state of Iowa and beyond, and continue Iowa JPEC’s role as an innovative leader.
If you have questions, contact Jeralyn Westercamp.
VMS Reception
2026 HONORS CELEBRATION
